Ara’s POV


    <b>358</b><b>% </b>


    No way,” whispered, fists clenched and trembling, “Grayson would never say that… He told me I was the only one who could calm him down. He’s never felt the same with anyone else. You’re lying!”


    “Well,” I shrugged, “maybe he did hope you were the right one. But what the hell did you do when he lost control? You just stood there like an idiot. Completely useless.”


    Twanted to scream at her to shut up.


    But the truth was–she wasn’t wrong.


    She leaned in, her voice dripping with sarcasm. “Your wolf is pathetic. Especially after your injury, you were absolutely powerless when he needed you. And you knew that, but still chose to turn down help from me and Otto. You’re just selfish.”


    *I turned you down because you obviously had your own agenda!” I hissed, shaking from head to toe. “You didn’te back to help me. You came to screw everything up–and you want to be with him again. Don’t even try to deny it!”


    She let out a mockingugh. “Well, thank god I dide back. Otherwise, when he was at his lowest, there wouldn’t have been anyone strong enough by his side.”


    Shame burned through me like wildfire.


    I hated I with everything I had. But every word she said cut right through my defenses.


    “Step aside, little girl,” she sneered softly. “You’re not worthy of standing beside him. So get lost. Stop making things worse.”


    I stumbled back.


    I wanted to yell at her. To tell her I was his girlfriend, and Grayson needed me right now. That I had to go in there and be with him.


    But I couldn’t say it.


    Because everyone saw it too. When Grayson needed help the most… I wasn’t the one by his side. It was I.


    I could feel it, the eyes of everyone in the hallway. Elders, guards, even the healers. They were all looking at me like I didn’t belong here.


    “At least tell me… is he okay?” I choked out.


    “He’s fine,” I said. “But he doesn’t want to see you right now.”


    turned around and slowly stumbled down the hallway.


    I didn’t want to go too far, so I found a quiet spot in the stairwell and sat down, burying my face in my hands.


    For the first time, even I started to wonder–Maybe I wasn’t the right one for Grayson after all.


    He needed someone strong. Someone calm, reliable. And even if I forced myself to grow up, my wolf was still weak. And if he had another episode, I’d be useless all over again.


    And that damn healer Malik really was full of crap. He said my wolf was powerful, just sealed away. Yet that was probably the most ridiculous thing I’d ever heard.


    <b>Sun</b>, Jug


    God, what the hell was I supposed to do now?


    Was I supposed to….let I have him?


    The second that thought entered my head, I felt like I’d been whipped. I hugged myself tightly, terrified by how much that idea hurt.


    Grayson Hart had taken over every part of me–my body, my soul, my heart. Letting him go now would be no different than dying.


    And then I was back at the same question again. I didn’t know what I should do.


    I cried silently in that stairwell until I eventually passed out from exhaustion. By the time I woke, I was freezing cold, and my shoulder throbbed with pain.


    Bright sunlight streamed through the windows.


    It was morning already.


    I slowly pushed myself to my feet, leaning against the wall as I stumbled back into the hallway. Most of the people had cleared out, and the guards outside Grayson’s door were gone.


    Quietly, I made my way over, hoping—just maybe—I could slip inside to see him.


    But just as I approached, I heard voices from inside the suite.


    “…We’re so d you’re back, I,” an old voice said. I immediately recognized it. It was Grayson’s father, the former Alpha.


    “Yeah, things didn’t feel right without you,” his mother added. “Please tell me you’re staying for good this time.”


    I’s voice came next. “I missed you too. But I’m afraid I’m only here to help mend things between Grayson and Alpha Otto. I can’t stay long.”


    “But why?” the former Luna said desperately. “Grayson needs you. Do you know that after your divorce, he was a total mess? He turned to alcohol, drugs for help… even threw himself into extreme sports! I honestly thought he was trying to kill himself on purpose. He was never the same after losing you. So tell me why can’t you two get back together?”


    My hand flew to my mouth as my eyes filled with tears.


    Drugs? Alcohol? Extreme sports?


    I had no idea Grayson had spiraled like that. He’d hidden how deeply that divorce broke hjm.


    I sighed softly. “I won’t lie. Back then, we were everything to each other… but that was years ago. Things have changed. As far as I know, Grayson has someone new in his life. That girl, Aria Collins I think?”


    Both of his parents made a huge scoff at the name.


    “Don’t even get me started on that girl!” the old Alpha growled, “I don’t know how she bewitched him—probably something she did in the bedroom–but it won’tst. That girl has no ss, no manners, and no strong bloodline. She’s not fit to stand beside him.”


    “But Grayson clearly cares about her<i>,</i><i>” </i>I said, sounding sad. “He never announced our marriage to the world, but he went public with her. That means something. I don’t want to be the third wheel in their rtionship.”


    “Oh, my poor girl, you’re way too kind,” the Luna said anxiously. “I’m sure that little tramp pressured Grayson into announcing it. She has no


    shame.”


    “And if you still have feelings for Grayson, you should totally stay and fight for him. I know Grayson wants that too.”


    ??????<b>?</b><b>u</b>?


    There was a long silence. Then I spoke again, softly. “Are you sure? Are you really sure this is what Grayson wants? I don’t want to interfere anything but if he still needs me… I also don’t want to leave him lonely and in pain.”


    “Of course that’s what he wants!” the Luna said immediately. “Who else could ever truly stand beside him?”


    “In fact,” the old Alpha added, “why don’t we just announce right now that you’re his fiancée and the future Luna of Red Stone Pack? I know he’s not awake yet, but I’m sure this is what he would’ve wanted.”


    “Oh god, I can’t make that kind of decision. He might get mad,” I hesitated. “But…if ites from you two, the people who know him best… I guess… maybe that would be okay?”


    That was it.


    I couldn’t listen anymore.


    I shoved the door open and stormed in.


    The suite was spacious, with a bedroom door still shut–Grayson must’ve been resting inside. His parents and I were standing in the sitting


    room.


    All three of them turned and stared at me.


    “You can’t do this,” I snapped. “This isn’t what Grayson wants!”


    The Luna red at me with disgust. “Were you eavesdropping? God you have no manner.”


    “Oh don’t me Aria. It’s not the first time she’s done something like this.” I said sweetly. “But calm down, Aria. We were just talking. I


    would nevere between you two. I’m not that kind of person.”


    “Don’t be so polite to her, I darling,” the Luna said coldly. “Trash like her always ys dirty. If you let your guard down, they’ll infest every


    corner of your life. It’s disgusting.”


    “Funny how you call your own pack member ‘trash,”” I said through clenched teeth. “You think I have no ss, no grace, but youck any kind of leadership orpassion yourself. You look down on your own people. You manipte your son. You’re nothing but a goddamn


    tyrant!”


    The Luna gasped. The old Alpha mmed his cane against the floor.


    “How dare you!” he roared.


    “Aria, that was too much,” I said gently. “No matter what, they’re still the parents of the man you love. You shouldn’t speak to them like


    that.”


    “Listen to I!” the old Luna shouted. “This is what a realdy looks like. This is grace. This is ss!”


    Bullshit.


    All I heard was a hypocrite ying games.


    “I won’t let you make any decisions for Grayson while he’s unconscious,” I said, trembling but firm. “That’s the least I can do for him.”


    The old Alpha gave a coldugh. “That’s adorable. But you’re useless. You can’t stop anything. In fact, I’ve decided–you’re no longer wee in the Red Stone Pack.”


    “Yes! Get rid of her!” the Luna snapped. “Then Grayson will finally remember who he really wants.”


    12:41 Sun, <b>10 </b>Aug


    I was shaking with fury.


    Grayson’s parents were outrageous. But the worst of all was her. I—the master maniptor.


    “You can’t do this. Grayson imed me as a member of Red Stone Pack. You can’t kick me out without his permission!”


    “Aria, sweetheart,” I said with that perfect little smile, “I thought after everything that happened today, you’d be ashamed enough to leave on your own. But looks like I’ve given you too much credit. But don’t worry–former Alpha and Luna still have the authority. And really, who’s going to stop them?”


    That’s when a sudden wave of powerful Alpha aura swept through the room. It made everyone stumble.


    “What’s going on!” I gasped in panic.


    The bedroom door swung open. Grayson stood in the doorway, cold and imposing.


    “To answer your question, I–me, obviously,” he said coldly.