Chapter 5 Aria's POV

Aria's POV

The first rays of sunlight filtered through the ornate curtains of my new room in the royal palace. I sat up slowly, reflecting on how my life had changed in the blink of an eye. Just days ago, I had been a maid in Ronan's hotel. Now, I was back in the pack I had fled, living in the palace as the Lycan King's personal assistant.

Dressed in attire befitting a royal, I couldn't help but ponder why Darius had brought me back. What did he want from me? The memory of our night together still burned in my cheeks.

Navigating the grand hallways, trying to recall the layout Darius had shown me yesterday, I rounded a corner and froze. There, blocking my path, stood my aunt and stepsister.

"Well, well," my stepsister sneered, her eyes gleaming with malice. "Look who crawled her way back."

I lifted my chin, attempting to project confidence. "I'm here at the Lycan King's request."

My aunt laughed, a cold, cruel sound. "Oh, we know all about the King's 'request.' Don't think for a second you belong here, Aria. We'll make sure everyone knows what a fraud you are."

"You may have fooled the Lycan King," my aunt added, stepping closer, "but we know the truth. You're nothing but a disgrace to this pack. We'll see to it that you're brought down, just like you deserve."

Their words hit me like physical blows, reopening old wounds I thought had healed. Before I could respond, they brushed past me, leaving me alone in the hallway.

Leaning against the wall, I tried to steady my breathing. Suddenly, a wave of dizziness washed over me, and I gripped the wall for support. What was happening to me?

As the dizziness subsided, it was replaced by overwhelming fatigue. My limbs felt heavy, and a dull ache settled behind my eyes. Was this just stress, or something more?

"Aria?"

I looked up to see Darius approaching, his brow furrowed with concern. "Are you alright? You look pale."

Straightening up, I tried to compose myself. "I'm fine, Your Majesty. Just a little tired."

He studied me for a moment, his eyes searching my face. "If you're not feeling well, you should rest. We can begin your duties tomorrow."

"No," I said quickly, perhaps too quickly. "I'm okay. I want to start work."

Darius nodded slowly, though he didn't look entirely convinced. "Very well. Come with me, and I'll show you what needs to be done."

I followed him as he introduced me to various aspects of the pack's operations. After the tour, he turned to me. "Come to my chambers. There's something we need to discuss."

Though apprehensive, I couldn't refuse.

In his chambers, Darius gestured for me to sit. "How are you doing after that night?" he asked calmly.

For the first time since that night, I managed to look at him. His expression was one of sincere concern, a stark contrast to his initial demeanor.

"I am doing fine, my king," I responded.

"I'm sorry I took advantage of you that night," he said, his voice filled with remorse. "I was drunk and made a mistake. I should have been more careful."

Tears welled up in my eyes, and I couldn't speak. Darius approached and hugged me tightly, gently patting my back.

The news of my pregnancy spread through the palace like wildfire. My step-sister, Elara, wasted no time in broadcasting it, her voice dripping with mockery as she recounted the scandalous revelation. My aunt, Lady Seraphina, joined in, her disdainful glances and whispered insults adding fuel to the fire.

I sat alone in my room, the test results clutched tightly in my trembling hands. The weight of the world pressed down on me, each breath a struggle against the rising tide of panic. The thought of facing Darius, the Lycan King, with this news was daunting. What would he say? Would he deny responsibility? Would he cast me aside, just as Kael had?

A soft knock at the door pulled me from my thoughts. Before I could respond, the door creaked open, revealing Darius standing in the doorway. His piercing eyes met mine, and for a moment, the world fell away.

"Aria," he said gently, stepping into the room. "I heard... Is it true?"

I nodded, unable to find my voice. Tears welled up in my eyes as I extended the test results toward him. He took the paper, his gaze scanning the words before returning to me.

"You're pregnant," he murmured, more to himself than to me. His expression was unreadable, a storm of emotions flickering behind his eyes.

"I'm sorry," I whispered, my voice barely audible. "I didn't mean for this to happen."

Darius stepped closer, his hand reaching out to gently lift my chin. "Aria, look at me."

I met his gaze, bracing myself for rejection.

"I'm not angry," he said softly. "Surprised, yes. But not angry."

A sob escaped my lips, and he pulled me into his arms, holding me tightly as I cried.

"We'll figure this out," he whispered into my hair. "Together."

The days that followed were a whirlwind of emotions. Darius stood by me, deflecting the scorn of the court and shielding me from the venom of my step-family. He announced our impending child to the pack, silencing whispers with his authoritative presence.

Despite the challenges, a sense of hope blossomed within me. The bond between Darius and me grew stronger, forged in the fires of adversity. And as I felt the first flutter of life within me, I knew that, no matter what lay ahead, we would face it together.