Aria's POV
Liam clinked his glass with a spoon and a handsome smile on his face "Can I have everyone's attention please?".
Everyone paused and gave him their full attention, including me. I was supposed to be serving drinks at the party, but I couldn't resist watching HIM.
Liam Reed, the son of the Alpha of the Grey Moon pack, and my mate.
I knew I had a stupid smile on my face, but I couldn't help it.
Many times, I wondered how I got so lucky, how an omega like me got blessed with an alpha-to-be for a mate, an alpha that loved me so much.
"Aria..." my friend, Claire whispered harshly, trying to grab my attention.
I blinked my eyes as I came out from my daydreaming. I was still holding a tray of drinks in my hands.
"You're supposed to be serving drinks, not drooling over Liam Reed" she teased.
I rolled my eyes jokingly, "I'm not drooling," I replied, but I got distracted again when Liam started speaking.
"Today is a very special day for me and for this pack." Liam stated, and my heart skipped a beat.
"As I turn twenty-two today, I would love to also introduce to you all my mate, the future Luna of this pack." He declared, his eyes were shining with excitement and love.
Excited murmurs and whispers filled the room. My heart skipped again, I couldn't believe it. He was going to do it today.
Excitement surged through my body, he had promised to reveal me as his mate when the time was right, and I was thinking he was going to wait till he would be crowned as alpha.
I didn't know it was closer than I thought. Rhea, my wolf was giddy with excitement inside me. We weren't expecting this right now.
I wished he had given me a clue that it was happening today, on his twenty-second birthday. So that I could have been dressed more impressively, but maybe he just wanted to surprise me.
I grinned as I braced myself to be introduced to the pack.
Liam waited patiently for the whispers to die down before he continued speaking. "Please welcome my fated mate, chosen for me by the moon goddess herself, and the future Luna of the Grey Moon pack,"
Everyone held their breaths, I included.
"...... Veronica Hall!" Liam declared.
Everyone in the party burst into cheers and applause, except me.
My mind went blank. Did I hear that right? Veronica Hall? Not me? Not Aria?
I stood frozen and the tray of drinks shook in my hands. I watched in shock and disbelief as Veronica, the beta's daughter, a tall and beautiful she-wolf with long, black hair, stepped forward confidently as though she was expecting it.
She approached Liam, who was looking at her with love and admiration. He wrapped his arms around her and pulled her into a long kiss.
No. This can't be happening.
The crowd was still cheering and applauding them, but my ears were ringing. It felt like I couldn't breathe and my heart pounded painfully in my chest.
Rhea howled in pain in my head, and I clutched my chest as the pain was too much.
My eyes were burning with tears, but I controlled myself, because I didn't want to cry in front of everyone, even though it was so hard as I remembered what I thought we had together.
What went wrong? Did I do something wrong?
We were fated mates, and Liam had always told me that he loved me. But now he was standing there, kissing another woman publicly, when he had never acknowledged me in public.
I remembered how it always hurt me when he walked past me without any form of recognition in his gaze. But he always came back in private to apologize and kiss me senseless. Promising to reveal us as mates when the time is right.
His mother, Luna Flora Reed, hugged Veronica with a bright smile on her face, while his father, Alpha Maxwell Reed patted his shoulders with approval.
"Aria," Claire called me with concern in her voice "Are you okay?"
I couldn't speak, I could only nod. I never told anyone about my relationship with Liam. Even my foster mother, Felicia, wasn't aware of my relationship with him.
I couldn't turn my eyes from the scene playing out in front of me. I could only watch as my world crumbled around me.
Liam finally broke the kiss and turned to the crowd with a proud smile on his face. He didn't even look my way, even though I knew he knew I was here.
Veronica was smiling too, looking like the future Luna, as if she had always known this moment would come. How long had she known?
"I need to get out of here," I whispered. My voice trembled. It sounded like the voice of a broken person.
I didn't wait for any reply as I dropped the tray of drinks on the table and I rushed to the restroom in the party to compose myself.
As I made my way out, I could still hear Liam's voice. It was full of so much joy and pride. "Thank you, everyone, for your support and love. Veronica and I are truly blessed by the moon goddess."
Each word felt like a dagger that was being pierced into my heart.
Immediately I entered the restroom and I locked the door, I slid down against it, and the tears I had been holding back flowed down my cheeks uncontrollably.
I sobbed loudly as I thought of how much I loved Liam. It felt like my heart was being torn to pieces.
I cried for a long time before the tears stopped flowing. A thought flashed through my head and I paused.
There had to be an explanation. Maybe Liam was forced into this by his parents. He had told me many times of the pressure he was facing from his parents. Maybe he had another plan. Maybe he needed to see me, so that he could explain everything to me. Yes, that must be it.
I stood up, wiped my tears away and took a deep breath. l splashed some cold water on my face, as I tried to compose myself.
I stared at my reflection in the mirror and my sapphire blue eyes stared back at me miserably. My blonde hair was a mess, so I had to rearrange it to its usual ponytail.
I took a deep breath again and prepared myself.
I opened the restroom door and stepped out into the corridor, however I froze at the sight before me. Liam and Veronica were in the hallway. Their bodies were pressed against each other and they were kissing passionately. Veronica's hands were tangled in his hair, and Liam's arms were wrapped tightly around her waist. They were like people that couldn't get enough of each other.
Aria's POV
My heart broke all over again, but I forced myself to walk towards them. There must be an explanation for this.
"Liam," I called softly, my voice was barely above a whisper.
They broke apart, and Liam's brown eyes met mine. However, there was no surprise or guilt in his gaze, only annoyance.
I looked at his handsome face, the face of the man that I loved. He had a chiseled jawline, beautiful brown eyes, shaggy brown hair and a lean but slightly muscular build. However, it felt like I was looking at a stranger at that point.
Veronica looked at me with disdain, and her eyes were filled with mockery. She must have known that I and Liam were fated mates.
"I need to talk to you, Liam," I said, trying to keeping my voice steady. "Privately."
Veronica tightened her grip on Liam's arm and she sneered. "Look at how gutsy you are. Liam is with his mate and you want to see him privately. What a whore! Whatever you have to say, you can say it in front of me," she declared, crossing her arms, her tone was filled with malice.
Her words were painful, but I ignored them. I just needed answers.
"Please, Liam," I pleaded, hoping he would send her away, hoping he would show some form of warmth in his eyes for me.
But Liam didn't tell Veronica to leave and his eyes remained hard. Instead, he sighed impatiently. "Aria, whatever you need to say, just fucking say it. Veronica and I have no secrets."
Liam had never cussed when speaking to me. My heart sank further, "Liam, please." I pleaded again, putting so much pain in my words, hoping he would have pity on me, for the sake of the love we shared.
However, he sneered, "If you're not ready to speak, then get the fuck out of here. Don't fucking waste my time."
My heart clenched painfully, and I couldn't help but ask "Why Liam? Why are you doing this to me? What happened to our love? What happened to all the promises you made to me? I... I thought... I thought you loved me. Liam, we're fated mates."
Liam's eyes darkened, and Veronica's smirk grew wider.
"Fated mates?" Veronica scoffed. "Do you really believe that nonsense of fated mates? How pathetic."
Liam's lips curled into a cruel smile. "Aria, did you honestly think a fucking weak omega like you could ever be Luna? You don't even have parents or even a fucking last name. You're like the lowest of the omegas."
I could feel tears welling up again in my eyes, but I forced them back.
"So everything you ever told me was a lie?" I asked, trying to keep my voice steady.
He smirked and shrugged. "I'm glad the pretense is over. I was sick of pretending to love you, when I can't even tolerate you."
Then he turned back to Veronica, dismissing me like someone who wasn't worth his time.
"Let's get back to the party, my love. This worthless omega has ruined our alone time" He told her tenderly. He was using the same voice he normally used to tell me how much he loved me, and how he couldn't wait to make me his Luna.
I controlled myself so that I wouldn't cry. I needed to know one more thing.
"Then why do it? Why deceive me with all those lies if I meant nothing to you? Why didn't you just reject me then?" I asked. My voice was trembling badly.
He turned and smirked at me cruelly. "The answer is quite simple, Aria. I wanted to fuck you, but you, always so fucking righteous, refused, wanting it to be when we were recognized as mates publicly. Like, what the fuck?"
My mouth gaped open in shock and disbelief, but he wasn't done.
"I kept sweetening you with words, promising you the fucking world, hoping you'd give in. But you were firm with your decision, so I got bored of waiting for you to open your fucking legs. I had to go on with my life. What a waste of time!" He exclaimed with a laugh.
His words were so cruel, I never expected something like this from him. I never thought all this was a big lie from someone who just wanted to sleep with me.
I just wanted to make my first time to be special. Many times, I was so close to giving in to his sweet words and sweet touches.
I struggled to control the tears from flowing out, but they flowed down my cheeks as the pain was just too much to bear.
Veronica leaned closer to Liam. Her eyes were shining with excitement. She was clearly enjoying my pain.
"Alright now, run along , little omega. We have given you too much of our time. Know your place." she taunted, and Liam chuckled.
I stood there frozen as I wondered how Liam could be so cruel to me. The Liam I thought I knew was gone, replaced by this cold, cruel stranger. I felt like my world was crumbling around me, the life I was dreaming of with Liam shattered into non-existence.
I turned to leave, feeling so worthless and stupid for falling for a lie, but Liam's voice made me pause.
"You know what? Let's make this official. I, Liam Reed, the son of the Alpha of the Grey Moon pack, reject you, Aria, as my fated mate, so mote it be." He declared coldly.
I gasped as pain flashed through my chest. I stumbled and caught myself on the wall because of the intense pain I felt.
Rhea howled in pain in my head and she retreated away, the pain was too much for her.
Through the tears, I looked up at Liam. There was nothing to fight for again, "I, Aria, accept your rejection, so mote it be."
I flinched again as the bond snapped completely. Liam flinched also and clutched his chest in pain.
"Oh my goodness, Liam, are you okay?" Veronica asked with so much concern in her voice.
Liam grimaced as he rubbed his chest. He quickly masked his pain and replaced it with a cold expression.
"I'm fine," he muttered through gritted teeth, though it was clear the bond breaking affected him, but I felt no satisfaction from it at all.
Veronica glared at me venomously, as though she was blaming me for his pain. "Let's go, Liam. We have a celebration to get back to, before people start looking for us" she said, pulling him away.
I watched them leave and my heart shattered into pieces again.
The pain in my chest was intense, both from the broken bond and the betrayal. I had always stupidly believed in our fated bond. I thought it was something so sacred and unbreakable.
I wiped the tears from my face. I wanted to leave this place, to go somewhere, but I had nowhere to go. I had no relatives out there. My foster mother, Felicia, was barely pushing through, she was also an omega. I had no one to help me with a new life.
I had to plan and not allow my heartbreak to make me rush into decisions. I would leave this pack soon, but I needed to plan.
The Grey Moon pack was the second biggest and strongest pack in America. Running away from this pack could have consequences and no pack would be able to save me if the Grey Moon pack decides to punish me for running away. Except the biggest pack in America, the Moonshadow pack, whose Alpha was the Alpha King of America, but unfortunately he was Liam's uncle (Liam's father's younger brother).
As I walked away from the corridor, I saw Claire approaching looking so concerned. She must have sensed something was wrong.
"Aria, what happened?" she asked, touching my arm gently.
I shook my head, unable to find the words to explain the pain and betrayal I felt. "I need to get out of here, Claire. I'll be back tomorrow morning. I just need a little break," I whispered, my voice breaking.
Before she could say anything else, I rushed out, grabbing my purse on my way out, making sure I avoided everyone's eyes.
Immediately I got outside I began to run. The night air was cool on my face as I ran. I kept running, I didn't know where I was going but I just needed to escape from this hell for now.
Aria's POV
I ran for a long time, and I saw myself in the human town somehow far from the pack.
Without thinking twice, I walked into a bar. I needed a good distraction from my thoughts.
I quickly approached the counter and ordered a drink, at that moment I didn't care what it was. I just needed something to dull the pain I was feeling.
I must have been looking like a mess because the bartender gave me a look of pity and handed me a glass. I swallowed it quickly, it burned my throat and I coughed.
I ordered another drink, and then another. With each glass, the pain in my chest faded little by little. It was replaced by numbness and drunkenness.
At one point, I was able to forget. Forget Liam, forget Veronica, forget the lies and the broken bond.
But I was a werewolf, even though I was an omega. So the human alcohol didn't really stay long in my system.
I signaled for another stronger drink, because I wanted to keep drowning out the pain over and over.
The bartender eyed me with an odd look, before he looked left and right and slid a small pill over the counter with my next drink. "Here, this'll make you feel a bit better. It's a bit of a pick-me-up," he said.
I barely understood what he was saying and I quickly took the pill without thinking because I wanted to feel better.
However, a few moments later I started to feel an unfamiliar warmth spreading through my body. At first, I thought it was just the alcohol hitting me harder, but soon the warmth became more intense.
I looked around the bar, feeling confused at how aroused I felt. When the bartender served me another drink, and his hand touched me, my body came alive with longing.
At that point, I realized that something was wrong. My heart was pounding, and it wasn't from the alcohol but from the intense and almost uncontrollable desire that was surging through me. I felt embarrassed and confused as I tried to understand what was happening.
The bartender glanced over at me, and noticed that the drug effect had kicked in. His eyes glinted with an odd look, and I panicked as I realized what he had given me. He started making his way to me, and I scrambled out of my seat and left the bar quickly, because I didn't trust the bartender's intentions.
I stood outside the bar for a few seconds as I wondered where I would go next.
I couldn't go back to the pack in this state, especially after what just happened with Liam. I spotted a nearby hotel and decided it was my best option.
I hurried inside and quickly booked a room. The receptionist gave me a key and I made my way up the stairs, my body was aching with the unnatural arousal from whatever sexual stimulant the bartender gave me.
My vision was blurry, and I was barely able to find the room number. I pushed the door open, and I noticed it was already open. I shrugged, maybe the staff had forgotten to lock the door. I didn't have the strength to think about it, I wanted relief from the arousal coursing through me.
I stumbled into the dimly lit room. I didn't even notice the luxurious furnishings or the scent of cologne in the air. I just wanted to lay down and find some sort of release, maybe with my fingers.
I made my way to the bed and fell on top of it, releasing a deep breath. However, I felt a presence beside me. My heart skipped a beat as I turned my head and saw a man lying next to me. He was so handsome and he smelt like a dash of peppermint and cedar. My arousal increased, and I gasped. He had dark hair that framed his face and piercing gray eyes that seemed to see right through my soul. His shirt was unbuttoned to reveal a toned chest and abs that made me clench my thighs together.
He looked at me with curiosity, but he looked as if he had been waiting for me.
"Who are you?" he asked softly, his voice was deep and smooth.
"I... I think I got the wrong room," I stammered, trying to get up, but my body refused to cooperate. The drug was still coursing through my veins, making me weak and unwilling to leave this Greek god that was devouring me with his eyes.
Before I could move from the bed, he reached out and gently touched my arm. His touch sent a shiver down my spine, and I couldn't suppress the moan that escaped my lips. "It's okay," he murmured, his voice was husky. "You're not in the wrong room. You don't have to leave."
I looked into his eyes, and all I saw was desire and lust, and I shivered. He leaned closer, his breath was hot against my skin.
"What's your name?"
"Aria," I whispered and my voice trembled.
"Aria," he repeated, and I felt a shiver run down my spine at how he pronounced the name. He brushed a strand of hair away from my face, "I'm Knox."
Before I could respond, he leaned in and pressed his lips to mine. The kiss was gentle at first, but it quickly deepened, and I melted into the kiss.
I could feel the muscles of his chest through his shirt, and I couldn't help but run my hands over them. He groaned against my lips, and I felt him deepen the kiss. His tongue darted out, tracing the seam of my lips, and I opened my mouth with a moan, letting him in.
He broke the kiss after some time "Aria," he whispered, his voice husky. "You're so beautiful."
I blushed at the compliment, but before I could respond, he was kissing me again. This time, his hands were on my waist, pulling me closer to him. I could feel his arousal pressing against me, and I couldn't help but grind against him, needing friction at my core.
He broke the kiss, and his lips trailed down my neck. I shivered as he nibbled on my earlobe.
"Tell me what you want, Aria," he murmured, his voice like honey.
"Everything...You," I whispered, giving myself completely to the effect of the drug.
He chuckled, his lips still on my neck. "That's what I like to hear."
He trailed his lips down my neck, and his hands worked their way under my shirt. I shivered as he touched my skin, and he slipped his hands under my bra and cupped my breasts. I moaned as he teased my nipples. He pinched and rolled my nipples between his fingers.
He groaned, his lips were still on my neck.
"You like that, don't you, Aria?" he murmured.
"Yes," I moaned, my hands working their way under his shirt. I ran my hands over his chest, feeling his hard muscles.
He broke the kiss, and his lips trailing down my neck. He knelt between my legs, and his hands moved to my thighs. He hooked his fingers under the waistband of my panties and he pulled them down. I lifted my hips, helping him as he pulled them off.
He looked up at me, his eyes were dark with desire. I shivered as he traced a line up my inner thigh. I could feel my juices flowing down my thighs, and I couldn't help but moan as he traced a line up my slit.
"You're so wet, Aria," he murmured, his voice husky.
"Yes," I moaned, my hands were tangled in his hair.
He leaned in and placed his lips on my clit. I shivered as his tongue darted out to taste me.
"Ahh" I cried out as he licked and sucked on my clit, while his fingers slipped inside me.
I moan louder as he sucked expertly on my clit and his fingers fucked me senseless.
I could feel my orgasm building as he kept fucked me with his fingers. I moaned as he curled them, hitting my g-spot and my eyes rolled back in my head.
"Knox...I'm gonna cum," I moaned, my hands gripping the sheets tightly.
"Cum for me, Aria," he whispered huskily.
I cried out as I came, and my orgasm washed over me. He continued to lick and suck on my clit, and his fingers continued moving in me, as I rode my orgasm.
He looked up at me, and I shivered as he leaned in and kissed me. I could taste myself on his lips.
He broke the kiss, and he quickly took off his clothes. I stared at his c*ck, and I gasped at how huge it was.
He wrapped his fingers around his cock and stroked it as he looked at me.
"Tell me what you want, Aria," he said softly.
"I want you inside me," I whispered, my gaze still on his c*ck.
He smiled, like a predator, and leaned in closer. He positioned himself at my entrance, with his eyes locked with mine. I gasped as he pushed inside me slightly. It was slightly painful.
He paused then he pulled out, his eyebrows furrowed in shock and concern, "Are you a virgin?".
I nodded in embarrassment, and he looked more confused.
"What the fuck?" He said, looking shocked, and I got more embarrassed, and tried moving away,
"Wait," he said, grabbing my arm. "It's okay, Aria. I'm honoured to be the one to share this moment with you. I'll be gentle, I promise." His voice softened as he looked into my eyes.
I looked at him, and I could see the tenderness in his eyes. I nodded, and he inserted his c*ck inside me and started to move inside me again, slowly and gently. Until surprisingly all his length was fully inside me, stretching my walls. It still hurt, but it also felt good. So good.
He pulled out and moved in again, then repeated it over and over again slowly, then he increased his pace, and I moaned louder.
His hips thrusting as he fucked me. I moaned as he pulled out and slammed in repeatedly and passionately. My legs wrapped around his waist as I pulled him closer.
"Harder, Knox," I moaned, my hands gripping his shoulders.
He growled, his hips thrusting harder as he fucked me. I whimpered as he hit that spot inside me, and my orgasm started building again.
"Fuck, Aria, you feel so good," he groaned loudly as he thrusted harder and faster.
"Yes, yes, yes," I cried out, as my orgasm surged through me.
He groaned, his hips thrusting faster as he also climaxed and released inside me.
He collapsed on top of me, and wrapped his arms around me.
"You're so lovely, darling." He murmured, breathing heavily, and I hummed in satisfaction, too tired to speak.
Sleep claimed me almost immediately.