Chapter 3 PITCH BLACK

**...After School...**

Aria, Ella, and Rose stood near the school gates, their faces tight with concern.

"They must've known we were going to follow them," Aria said, arms crossed, frustration crackling in her voice.

"I don't think so," Ella replied, brow furrowed in thought. "Rose, did you hear anything weird back at the café?"

Rose nodded. "I tried. But all I caught was murmuring. They must've used a shielding spell-something strong."

Ella groaned, her eyes flashing. "Ugh. I can't wait to get my hands on that redhead who called me a slut."

Rose placed a calming hand on her arm. "You'll get your chance. But first-we break the spell on Jason."

Aria sighed, rubbing her temple. "I still don't get it. Why use a spell like that on him? That's not how you make someone like you."

"She's a witch," Rose muttered. "They're used to taking, not asking."

Ella tilted her head. "I wonder what Jason will do when we snap him out of it."

"He's gonna be pissed," Ella added with a bitter laugh. "At them. At himself. Maybe even at us."

The trio fell into a tense silence, each lost in thought.

Then Aria straightened, her voice firm. "We need to find Jason. Ella-can you do a locator spell?"

Ella nodded. "Yes, but I'll need my spellbook-and something that belongs to him. Something personal."

Rose frowned. "And where are we supposed to find that now?"

Aria turned to her. "His locker. Maybe there's something useful there."

Ella's face lit up. "Smart. Let's go."

They slipped into the building, avoiding the lingering staff. When they reached Jason's locker, Rose cursed under her breath. "Damn. It's locked."

Ella smirked. "Not for long."

With a flick of her fingers, the lock clicked open.

Rose raised a brow. "You guys always forget you've got a badass witch in the group."

Ella grinned, proud. "And don't you forget it."

They rifled through the locker. Books. A water bottle. A crumpled flyer. Then Ella pulled out a small photo of Jason with his dog.

"This will do," she said, her voice low with focus.

"How long until you can find him?" Aria asked.

"I'm not sure. But I should have his location by tomorrow morning," Ella replied. "I'll call you both once I know."

"Okay." Rose nodded. "We meet up tomorrow-and we break the spell before school Monday."

Aria exhaled, the tension in her shoulders easing just a little. "Right. See you guys then."

They each went their separate ways. Aria turned and headed down the hall to get Kai from his classroom, her thoughts already spinning toward what came next.

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**...On the Way to Aria's House...**

Rawon, his blond hair catching the sunlight as he leaned forward, lowered his voice to a whisper. "Did you ever find out what made Alpha suddenly care about finding his mate?"

As Lyrien's Gamma-the third in command-Rawon was used to watching from the sidelines. Manson, the Beta and second in command, sat in the passenger seat, arms crossed and eyes locked on the road.

"Why don't you ask him yourself?" Manson said, his tone flat, almost bored.

Rawon's gaze flicked to the back seat, where Lyrien sat with his eyes closed. His posture was calm, His chest rose and fell with a steady rhythm–but Rawon knew he wasn't sleeping. "Think he'd snap my neck if I did?" he whispered, half-joking, half-afraid.

Manson sighed and tilted his head back slightly. "Focus on driving, Rawon. Try not to kill us."

Rawon muttered under his breath. "A yes or no would've done the trick..."

Suddenly, Lyrien's eyes snapped open.

"Both of you-shut up."

His voice sliced through the air, sharp and cold.

Silence fell like a blanket over the car. Rawon's hands stiffened on the wheel. Manson didn't move.

Neither dared look back. They'd already pushed their luck.

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**At Aria's House**

Aria's eyes snapped open, her chest heaving as she gasped for breath. The dream clung to her like smoke-those piercing eyes, that guttural voice, the word echoing through her skull:

"Mate."

She sat upright, throwing the covers aside. Same dream. Same werewolf. Same message. Always the same.

The image of him-half-shifted, eyes locked on hers, torn clothes hanging off his body-was burned into her mind.

Rose was right, Aria thought grimly. Being a werewolf's mate is a curse, and her determination hardened. She would never allow that to happen. The thought sent a shiver down her spine.

She stood, trembling slightly, and whispered to the moonlit window, "Please, Selena the moon goddess... Don't let this be my fate. Not this."

She padded to the bathroom, brushed her teeth, and tried to shake the haunting tension. But the sense of unease clung to her as she joined her family for breakfast.

At the dining table, Aria picked at her bacon and eggs, her gaze distant.

Aunt Sandra glanced at her, concern softening her red eyes. "Why the gloomy face today, Aria? Did something happen?"

Aria's eyes met Aunt Sandra's, the warmth in her red eyes a comforting reminder of her father. "It's nothing, Mom," Aria said with a forced smile, forcing a smile as she ate her bacon and eggs.

Sandra didn't look convinced. "You can talk to me."

Aria sighed and relented. She told them about school, the girls from the café, the locator spell Ella was trying to cast. "She said she'd call this morning," she added, "but I haven't heard anything yet."

Sandra gave a reassuring smile, though worry still tugged at the corners of her mouth. "Don't stress. Ella will come through."

Just then, Kai chimed in between bites of toast. "Mom, can I go see Kent after breakfast? He got a new bike."

Sandra nodded. Aria smirked. "Trying to ditch us already, huh?"

Their quiet moment shattered with a sharp knock at the front door.

Uncle Diamond stood. "Were we expecting anyone?"

"No," Sandra replied, her brows furrowing.

Aunt Sandra's shoulders shrugged, but Aria's instincts whispered warning. Who could be visiting at this hour?

A tense silence filled the room as Diamond walked toward the front door. Voices murmured low from the hallway.

He returned a moment later, his face tight with anger.

"What is it?" Sandra asked, rising to her feet.

"There's a group of werewolves outside," he said grimly. "They say they've come for Aria."

Aria stood, shock hitting her like ice. "Werewolves?"

Sandra stepped in front of her. "Why? What do they want with her?"

"They claim she's their Alpha's mate," Diamond said, his voice sharp with disbelief.

Two large men in black suits stepped into the dining room like shadows, eyes locked on Aria.

"The Alpha has chosen," the silver-haired one said. "She belongs to him."

Aria's blood boiled. "Belongs? Excuse me?"

The men advanced.

"Stop right there!" Sandra shouted, protective fire in her voice. "There must be a mistake-she's not your Alpha's mate!"

"The mate bond is never wrong," the silver-haired man said coldly. "Step aside."

"I don't care about your Alpha!" Aria shouted, backing away. "I'm not going anywhere with you."

"You don't have a choice," the black-haired man said, stepping forward.

They moved to seize her.

Aria struggled, thrashing wildly, but their grips were iron. "Let me go!"

If only I had powers like Ella... or Rose's strength, she thought bitterly. I'm just human. Pathetic, useless.

"Leave my sister alone!" Kai's voice rang out.

All eyes snapped to the small boy, his fangs bared, red eyes blazing.

The men froze, surprised.

"Kai-" Aria gasped.

She twisted in the moment of hesitation, breaking free and grabbing his hand. "Go! Hide upstairs!"

He hesitated, but she pushed him away. "Now!"

Then she turned back to the werewolves. "Get your flirty hands off me this instant!" she spat.

The black-haired one chuckled. "Stubborn little thing, aren't you?"

"Let's just take her," the silver-haired man said flatly. "The Alpha is waiting."

Aria thrashed and screamed, her anger and fear boiling over. She kicked and struggled until they finally released her, leaving her standing alone outside the house.

Breathless and furious, Aria surveyed her surroundings. Ten men in black suits waited around a sleek black car, their faces impassive. Aria's eyes narrowed as she crossed her arms over her chest.

"Well, where is your stupid Alpha?" she demanded, her voice laced with venom. "Let me give him a piece of my mind."

The werewolves' eyes widened in unison, their faces pale. Aria knew she'd crossed a line, but she didn't care. She wanted to confront the Alpha, to tell him exactly what she thought of his claims.

Aria's gaze fell on the black car, her anger and frustration simmering. She knew the Alpha was inside, probably watching her through the tinted windows. "I know you're in there, dimwit," she taunted. "Get out and face me."

Sandra and Diamond emerged from the house, their faces etched with worry and helplessness. They knew they couldn't intervene, and Aria's defiance only seemed to escalate the situation.

Minutes ticked by, and the car's door remained closed. Aria's anger boiled over. "Useless bunch of werewolves and useless Alpha," she spat.

A brown-haired man stepped forward, his yellow eyes flashing with anger. "How dare you insult our Alpha?"

Aria shrugged. "Like I care. I'm going back inside." She turned to leave, but then finally the car door opened with a click.

As the men parted, Aria's gaze fell upon the Alpha, her heart racing with anticipation. He emerged from the car, exuding confidence and power.

He wore a tailored black suit that clung to a perfectly sculpted body. Around six feet tall, his movements were fluid, controlled-every step spoke of dominance.

Aria's breath hitched.

His features were carved like stone: a strong and defined jawline, straight nose, full lips stained a natural shade of red, seemed almost inviting. His black hair gleamed under the morning light and Aria felt an inexplicable urge to touch it.

But it was his eyes that rooted her in place-pitch black, unfathomable, deadly.

Black eyes, she realized, He's furious.

Aria knew that black eyes in werewolves signified intense anger, and a shiver ran down her spine as she realized she'd gotten on his bad side. That look wasn't just rage-it was **possession**.

Aria swallowed, her fists clenching at her sides sensing the Alpha's power and authority. She'd challenged an Alpha-and now, she was staring at the storm she'd summoned.