Ariana's POV

"Logan... it's you."

Relief flooded through me as a bright smile spread across my face.

Thank you, Moon Goddess.

I hurried toward him, my heart soaring.

"Stop!" His voice cracked.

I froze mid-step.

My smile faltered as I lifted my gaze to him. His jaw was clenched so tightly that the muscles twitched beneath his skin, and his silver eyes were colder than winter itself.

Why was he angry? Had something happened before I arrived?

"Logan..." I called softly.

"Ariana." He called, his voice clipped.

I smiled again, refusing to let doubt creep in.

"You're my mate." My voice trembled with excitement. "We should be thanking the Moon Goddess. Where's the Moon Crystal?"

"Ariana." This time, he said my name louder.

The entire square fell silent as every pair of eyes turned toward us.

My smile only widened.

Of course he wanted everyone's attention. He wanted the whole pack to witness him accepting me as his mate... as his future Luna.

A nervous giggle escaped my lips before I could stop it.

His expression darkened.

"Do you think this is funny?" he roared.

The sound made me flinch.

"Do you think this is some kind of joke?"

Inside me, my wolf stirred. 'Mate'

"Why are you yelling?" I asked gently. "You should hurry and accept me before I make you regret keeping your Luna waiting."

Instead of smiling... his face became even colder.

"Ariana..." he said slowly, each word sounding like a blade. "I cannot accept you as my mate… or as the Luna of my pack."

Everything around me seemed to stop.

My wolf whimpered. 'Mate... mate'

"No..." A shaky laugh escaped my lips. "You're joking."

I looked around at the crowd. "He's just teasing me."

But no one laughed or even smiled.

"There is no joke," Logan said as he took one step forward, his eyes filled with nothing but disgust. "Take a good look at yourself, Ariana."

His gaze slowly swept over my body.

"You're nothing but a fat, shameless elephant."

The words crashed into me as my stomach twisted violently.

Inside me, my wolf cried out in agony.

I forced my tears back.

"You can't be serious." My voice shook. "I sacrificed everything for you. I almost died because of you..."

I swallowed the painful lump in my throat. "...and now you want to reject me?"

"Stop making this difficult," Logan replied without a trace of guilt.

"You could never become my Luna." His lips curled with contempt. "You don't have the discipline, the dignity, or the appearance worthy of leading this pack."

He let out a cruel laugh. "If you ever became Luna, you'd probably eat the entire food supply before winter arrived."

The crowd erupted into laughter.

"But..." My voice broke. "You always told me I was beautiful... you said you loved my body... you told me I was perfect just the way I was."

"I lied." His answer came instantly. "I only said those things because I pitied you. When everyone mocked you, I defended you because it was my responsibility as the future Alpha."

He looked me straight in the eyes. "I never loved you."

My breath caught.

"So..."

The tears I had been fighting finally escaped.

"All those years... you protected me. You stood beside me. You became my best friend..." I wiped my cheeks with trembling fingers. "...and none of it was real?"

He said nothing.

"Enough of this nonsense, Ariana." My father's voice echoed through the crowd.

He stepped beside Logan.

I turned toward him, desperately searching for comfort... but there was none.

"The Alpha has made his decision," Father said coldly. "You will respect it."

My wolf growled. 'Mate'

I clenched my fists. "I went into Kasha Forest because of Logan."

Gasps spread through the crowd.

“I risked my life to retrieve the Moon Crystal for him.”

“So what?” My father's response was immediate. “Why did you return?”

My blood ran cold.

“What?”

“You were the first person to enter Kasha Forest and come back alive.” His eyes narrowed. “Why do you think that happened?”

I stared at him in confusion.

Why was he speaking as though my survival was a problem? Was he expecting me not to return?

“Father…” I took a hesitant step toward him. “I don't understand.”

“You will.”

Logan exchanged a glance with my father.

My heart began pounding.

There was something they weren't telling me.

Then Logan spoke. “Ariana, you're not a member of Silver Moon Pack.”

I blinked.

“You never were.”

My brows furrowed. “How can you say that?”

I looked toward my father. “My father is your Beta. I was raised here, I grew up here. Everyone knows me.”

Logan's lips curled into a cold smile. “That's exactly what you were meant to believe.”

My father's expression remained emotionless. “I am not your father.”

My breath caught. “What?"

“You heard me.” His voice was cold and firm. “I'm not your father, you bastard.”

My stomach twisted.

The world seemed to tilt beneath my feet.

“No…” I shook my head. “That's impossible.”

“You were adopted.”

Adopted?

I slowly raised a trembling finger toward myself.

“I… I…”

I couldn't finish.

Elena suddenly stepped forward.

A smug smile played across her lips.

“I'm Marcus Carter's only daughter.” She gave a quiet laugh. “Honestly, Ariana, haven't you ever wondered why Father always treated you differently?”

The crowd erupted into whispers.

I looked around helplessly, people were staring at me as though I had suddenly become a stranger.

My mind raced.

Was this why Father had never loved me? Why Elena had always been treated differently? Why had I spent my entire life feeling like I didn't belong?

I looked at Marcus again. “Is it true?”

But he didn't answer, he didn't need to… his silence was enough.

My heart cracked all over again.

Then Logan's voice rang.

“I, Logan Drake, reject Ariana Carter as my fated mate.”

The bond snapped as agony exploded through every inch of my body.

It felt as though invisible claws were ripping my soul apart, tearing the bond from my heart piece by piece.

"Ahhh!" A blood-curdling scream escaped my lips as my knees slammed against the ground.

My wolf howled in unbearable pain.

Then, Elena walked to Logan's side as whispers erupted.

"It's always been Elena."

"I knew he'd never choose Ariana."

"Look at them together."

"They're perfect."

"Elena is the only one worthy of becoming Luna."

Every word crushed what little remained of my heart.

Logan smiled, then ordered, "Bring the gift."

My heart skipped.

Immediately, servants carried forward a beautifully wrapped object.

That's the Moon Crystal?

So, Elena was the woman he'd been talking about. The one who had supposedly stayed by his side when everyone else turned away. The gift had never been meant for me.

As Logan reached to uncover it... strange strength surged inside me as it forced me to my feet.

I lifted my head and wiped my tears as my voice echoed across the square.

"I, Ariana Carter..." I looked directly into Logan's eyes. "...accept your rejection."

The moment the words left my lips, the Moon Crystal slipped from Logan's hands and shattered against the stone floor.

At the same instant, Logan's face twisted in agony. He dropped to one knee, clutching his chest as though someone had driven a blade through his heart.

"What..." He gasped for air. "What is happening?"

"Get her!" Father shouted.

The guards immediately rushed forward, grabbing my arms before I could move.

“Throw her into the dungeon!”

“Fa…”

I stopped myself.

Father?

The word suddenly felt foreign.

I had never truly had one and why would he suddenly care about me now?

I struggled against the guards as they dragged me away.

Then Marcus spoke, his words destroyed the last fragile piece of hope inside me.

“If you had followed the plan and died in the forest, none of this would have happened.”

I froze as tears rolled silently down my cheeks.

They had planned for me to die?

My entire body trembled.

The people I had trusted all my life had wanted me dead.

The guards dragged me toward the dungeon.

I didn't fight anymore, there was nothing left to fight for.

The iron door slammed shut behind me and I rushed toward the bars.

“Please! Let me out!”

The guards only laughed as they walked away.

My legs finally gave out.

I collapsed onto the cold stone floor.

A broken sob tore from my chest as everything I had believed about my life came crashing down around me.

If I was adopted… then who were my parents? How did I get here? Why can't I remember anything?

*Two days later*

Ariana's POV

I had been locked inside this dungeon for two days; no food or water.

Oddly enough, those two miserable days hadn't been entirely wasted, I had truly gotten to know my wolf: Kayla.

Her soothing voice echoed. 'We'll survive this, Ariana'

Before I could answer, the sound of approaching footsteps echoed through the corridor.

My body tensed.

I forced myself upright, ignoring the dizziness that immediately swept over me, and gripped the cold iron bars.

"Please!"

My voice came out hoarse and barely audible.

"Please... get me out of here!"

The footsteps stopped.

A moment later, Logan appeared at the end of the corridor.

His eyes were red and swollen, as though he hadn't slept.

My jaw tightened.

"You've got some nerve showing your face here."

He lowered his head and clasped his hands together.

"Ariana, I know I've been a jerk. I know I don't deserve to stand before you, but please... forgive me."

"Get out!"

My voice thundered through the corridor. But instead of leaving, Logan dropped to his knees.

"Please, Ariana."

For years, seeing Logan beg would have made my heart ache… but not anymore.

Kayla murmured. ‘Excellent choice’

"I want to make it up to you," Logan continued.

I stared at him, fighting the tears threatening to surface.

"You want to make it up to me?"

He nodded eagerly.

"I'll break off my engagement with Elena and make you my Luna."

My expression hardened.

So that was what he thought I wanted; the title… the position… the crown.

He still didn't understand that what had destroyed me wasn't losing the title of Luna. It was discovering that the person I'd trusted most had never loved me.

"I don't want anything from you."

"But I need your help."

A bitter laugh escaped me.

Of course I know you definitely want something.

"I'm truly sorry, Ariana."

Kayla's voice softened. ‘Hear him out first’

I inhaled slowly, forcing myself to remain calm. "Fine, what do you want?"

A faint spark appeared in Logan's eyes. "I've reached an agreement with Nightfang Pack."

My brows furrowed.

Nightfang Pack? The most feared pack on the continent? Its Alpha was infamous and ruthless.

Legends claimed no one had ever seen his true face because he never removed the black mask that concealed his identity.

"What kind of agreement?"

"Alpha Damien has agreed to a peace treaty with Silver Moon."

I narrowed my eyes.

"But there's a condition." His voice dropped. "He wants you."

My heart skipped.

"What?"

“You'll be transferred to Nightfang Pack as a servant.”

I stared at him in disbelief. “A servant?”

“Only temporarily,” he quickly added. “Alpha Damien has decided that you’ll be taken to Nightfang Pack first. You’ll stay there for seven months while you undergo your training. Once your training is complete, you’ll be transferred to his pack house, where you’ll serve as a servant.”

Seven months? What kind of servant needed seven months of training?

Logan stepped closer to the bars and lowered his voice.

“You won't be mistreated. I'll make sure of that.”

I almost laughed.

The same man who had watched me being dragged into a dungeon now wanted to assure me that I'd be safe?

“You expect me to believe that?”

His expression tightened.

“You have no idea what Alpha Damien is capable of. If you go there without my protection, he'll make your life miserable.”

I said nothing.

Then his voice dropped even lower. “But I have one request.”

Of course.

I stared at him coldly. “Go on.”

“When you arrive at Nightfang Pack, I want you to learn everything you can about them. Their defenses, their warriors, their weaknesses. Anything that could give Silver Moon an advantage.”

I already knew where this was going.

“And?”

He hesitated.

Then he finally said, “When you get the opportunity… kill Alpha Damien.”

A hollow laugh escaped me.

“So that's your real plan.” I shook my head slowly. “You're not interested in peace at all. You want to destroy Nightfang from within.”

“Keep your voice down.”

He glanced nervously down the corridor.

“Do this for us, Ariana, and I'll make you my Luna. I'll break off my engagement with Elena and give you everything you ever wanted.”

I stared at him. “No.”

His expression fell.

“I don't want to.”

“Ariana…”

“I said no.”

He stepped closer to the bars. “Please, I'll give you anything you want. Just say it, you know Alpha Damien will make your life miserable. You'll only be doing yourself a favor by helping me.”

A bitter smile touched my lips.

“Let me put it straight to you.” My voice grew colder. “I'm nothing but a fat, shameless elephant. A useless, unwanted daughter. An enemy to this pack.”

I tightened my grip around the bars.

“So tell me, Logan… how exactly can I help you?”

“Please, Ariana.”

He was still on his knees.

I stared at him for another moment before stepping away from the bars and turning my back on him.

“Ariana!” His voice suddenly hardened.

I stopped.

Was he tired of pretending?

“If you don't do this, Ariana, I'll make sure you spend the rest of your life in this dungeon without food or water until you die.”

I slowly turned around.

For a moment, hope flickered across his face, as though he believed his threat had finally broken me.

Instead, I laughed.

“And what do you think I'm living for?” My jaw clenched. “I'd rather die here than help you pick up a pin or a needle.”

His eyes widened. “Ariana…”

“I can't be a servant for Nightfang Pack!” I yelled, my voice reverberating through the dungeon. “Find someone else!”

I turned my back on him and lowered myself onto the cold floor.

Logan stood there for several seconds, then he walked away.

*The next day*

My stomach growled loudly, dragging me from an uneasy sleep.

I clutched my abdomen and slowly sat up.

Hunger had become a constant ache.

But I had made my choice. If this was the only way I could keep my dignity, then so be it. I'd rather die here than become Logan's weapon.

Footsteps suddenly echoed through the corridor.

My jaw tightened.

What does he want now?

A figure appeared at the end of the corridor.

My eyes first caught sight of his black boots before slowly traveling upward.

He was dressed entirely in black.

My gaze finally reached his face.

For a brief moment, something about his eyes felt strangely familiar.

“Hi, Ariana. It's good to finally meet you.” The stranger said.

I narrowed my eyes. “Who are you?”

“My name is Aiden.” He paused. “I'm the man Alpha Damien sent to train you.”

So he was from Nightfang.

“I heard you refused to go to Nightfang Pack for your training,” he continued. “So Alpha Damien decided your training would take place here. Once you've completed it, you'll be taken to Nightfang.”

“I'll never go to your pack.”

“My pack?” He arched his brow. “Ariana, you don't even know which pack you're truly from.”

I frowned. “What are you talking about?”

Aiden took a few steps closer. “Ariana, you're from Nightfang Pack.”

My heart skipped.

“You might be confused, and I understand why. But the truth is, you're one of us.”

He reached behind his neck, pushed his hair aside, and turned around.

A strange crescent-shaped marking was visible on his neck. The crescent was surrounded by three small, claw-like lines.

My stomach twisted as I forced myself to my feet.

I knew that mark. I had the exact same one, but my mother had always told me it was something she'd placed on me as a child so I'd always remember to be a good girl.

The memory hit me:

“Mum, am I not a good child? Why don't I have one?” little Elena had once asked.

Mother had immediately carried her away.

At the time, I didn't understand why.

“You see?” Aiden asked as he turned back toward me.

“No.” I shook my head. “This is just a coincidence.”

I couldn't be connected to them.

“Ariana.” His voice softened. “Your father is still alive.”

I froze.

My breath caught in my throat.

“Father?”

Aiden nodded. “He's been searching for you for years. He's in Nightfang Pack, and he's waiting for you.”

I stared at him.

“You'll meet him after you complete your training.”

I shook my head again.

No, I couldn't let myself believe this. I had already lost everything. This had to be another lie designed to manipulate me.

“No!” I screamed. “Leave me the hell alone!”

Kayla whispered. ‘Calm down, Ariana’

I turned away from him.

“It's your choice,” Aiden said quietly. “Think about it.”

His footsteps slowly faded as he walked away.

The moment he disappeared, my strength left me as I dropped to my knees.

No, I couldn't go with him. I should just stay here and die.

Hours passed before another set of footsteps approached.

I turned toward the corridor, then I saw Elena.

A mocking smile spread across her face.

“Hi, sister.” She paused. “Or should I say… foster sister?”

I closed my eyes briefly, forcing myself not to break down.

“You knew?” My voice trembled. “You knew all this time that I was adopted, and you never said anything?”

“Of course I knew.” She shrugged. “Father told me but I had to promise to keep it a secret.”

She chuckled. “You have no idea how difficult it was to keep something like that from you.”

I lowered my gaze.

All those years, I had been too blind to see the truth.

“And the mark…” Elena laughed softly. “Don't tell me you actually believed what Mother told you all those years ago.”

My eyes snapped toward her.

“She only said that so you wouldn't ask questions.” She paused.

“When she took me outside that day, she told me never to compare myself to you because you'd always have that mark. I didn't understand what she meant back then.”

Her smile faded slightly. “But now I do.” She pointed toward my neck. “You didn't have that mark by accident. Everyone born into the Nightfang bloodline receives it shortly after birth. It's their birthmark. It identifies them as members of the pack.”

My heart pounded.

Aiden hadn't been lying? He really knew my father?

A strange strength surged through me.

I pushed myself to my feet and grabbed the iron bars.

“Get Aiden!”

Elena took a step backward.

“He should be gone by now.” She chuckled.

“Get him!” I thundered.

She laughed as she walked away. Her footsteps faded down the corridor.

I tightened my grip around the bars.

Moments later, another set of footsteps approached as Aiden appeared before me.

He studied my face.

“So,” he said calmly, “what do you say? If you still refuse, I'll leave, and…”

“I'm in.” I cut him off.

His brows lifted.

“I want to see my father.”

For the first time, Aiden's expression softened.

“Then prepare yourself, Ariana.” He paused. “Because once you begin this journey, you'll finally learn who you really are.”

Who really was I?

Ariana's POV

“Give me a minute,” he muttered before stepping out.

I nodded, swallowing hard.

Kayla whispered. ‘We’ll finally be free’

I forced a small smile as I sniffed.

At least now, I was going to see my father.

A few minutes later, the sound of approaching footsteps echoed through the dungeon. I raised my head and saw two guards walking in with Aiden.

One of the guards unlocked the dungeon door and swung it open before stepping aside. Both guards stood there, waiting for me.

For a moment, I remained frozen in place.

So, if it weren't for Alpha Damien's strange interest in me, Logan would have simply left me to die here.

“Ariana,” Aiden called.

I looked up at him as he gestured for me to come out.

I hesitated.

Or did Alpha Damien send him to get me because I'm from Nightfang? But then why would he want me as a servant?

Aiden stepped into the dungeon and walked toward me.

“I thought you were desperate to get out of here a moment ago,” he muttered. “Or don't you want to see your father anymore?”

Of course I wanted to see him.

I stared at him, opening my mouth to answer, but no words came out.

Aiden leaned down until he was closer to my height, his eyes meeting mine.

For some reason I couldn't explain, my heart suddenly began pounding.

Kayla whispered. ‘Step out already'

I quickly broke eye contact.

Before I could move, Aiden suddenly bent down and slipped one arm beneath my knees and the other around my back… In one smooth motion, he lifted me into his arms.

My eyes widened.

My jaw tightened. “Put me down!” I yelled. “You can't just lift me!”

He didn't answer instead, he adjusted his hold on me, keeping me securely against his chest as he walked out of the dungeon.

I stared at him in disbelief as he continued looking straight ahead.

How can he lift me so easily with my weight?

Kayla chuckled.

Don't even do that, this isn't funny.

“Put me the hell down,” I demanded.

Still, he ignored me.

He walked through the pack house, carrying me as though I weighed nothing.

Where is he taking us?

Kayla's voice came quietly. ‘He's definitely not going to hurt us’

You can't be sure of that. At this point, I think anyone can hurt us.

Instead of heading toward the main entrance, he continued outside, crossing the pack grounds toward another building. He stopped in front of a door, pushed it open with one hand, and stepped inside.

My eyes immediately scanned the room.

He walked toward a neatly made bed before gently lowering me onto it.

“You should freshen up,” he said as he straightened. “You can choose a dress from there.”

He pointed toward the wardrobe.

I remained seated on the bed, staring at him.

“I'll be waiting outside.”

With that, he turned and walked out, closing the door behind him.

I stared at the door for a few seconds before slowly getting to my feet.

My eyes wandered around the room.

It was simple but clean, with a bed, a wardrobe, a small table, and a full-length mirror. A door beside the wardrobe led to the bathroom.

Kayla muttered. ‘You should get ready’

I slowly walked toward the wardrobe.

Just then, my stomach growled loudly.

I sighed.

“Seriously?”

I opened the wardrobe and froze.

Inside were five different outfits, each designed in a simple but neat style; one was a long-sleeved black dress with a white collar and a fitted waist. Another was a dark gray dress with a matching apron. There was also a navy-blue uniform with a modest neckline, a long black skirt paired with a white blouse, and another dark-colored dress with subtle silver buttons.

They were all available in larger sizes.

“It seems he made preparations ahead of time,” I muttered.

I pulled one of the uniforms from the wardrobe and hurried into the bathroom.

A few minutes later, I stepped out of the bathroom dressed in the uniform.

I walked toward the full-length mirror and stared at my reflection.

The dress fit me comfortably as the white collar gave it a formal appearance, while the simple apron around my waist completed the servant's uniform.

I looked at myself for a long moment.

“I'm just… a failure,” I whispered.

Kayla said softly. ‘Don't say that’

“Can't you see it? Just take a look at me.”

I swallowed hard.

All my life, I had believed I belonged here… but it had all been a lie. I hadn't been able to see the truth even when it was staring right in front of me. I had trusted the wrong people and believed everything they told me.

Kayla replied. ‘Yes, you trusted and believed the wrong people, but now you have someone who wants you for who you are. You should appreciate that’

You mean Alpha Damien? Or Aiden? They want me as a servant.

‘You can still see your father. He's waiting for you’

He's the reason I'm doing this. Remember?

I swallowed hard and exhaled shakily.

But what if he doesn't really want me?

‘Ariana, he wants to see you. I know you feel broken and hurt because of everything you've been through, but you shouldn't let your past define you’

What do you mean?

‘You need to go through the process and complete your training, just like Aiden said. Then you'll be able to see your father’

I wiped away the tears forming in my eyes.

“You can do this, Ariana,” I whispered to my reflection.

I gathered my hair and rolled it into a simple bun, securing it neatly. Then I walked toward the door. I placed my hand on the handle and hesitated for a moment… finally, I opened it.

Aiden was standing outside, his eyes immediately settled on me.

Slowly, I walked toward him.

“Perfect,” he said when I reached him. “Now let's go have lunch. After lunch, your training begins today. You have a lot to learn.”

He stretched his hand toward me.

I glanced at it before looking back at him as I clenched my jaw.

“Show me the way,” I said coldly.

Aiden forced a smile before turning around and I followed him.

Soon, we arrived at a dining hall. The room was surprisingly small. There was only a table with two chairs, along with an elderly woman standing nearby.

The moment I saw her, I frowned.

I've seen this woman somewhere before… but where? Well, that isn't my problem right now.

“Welcome, Aiden,” the woman greeted warmly, gesturing toward the table.

Aiden and I sat down.

The woman picked up a menu and handed it to him.

Aiden opened it and glanced through the options.

“What would you like?” he asked me.

I blinked. “Anything is fine.”

He raised an eyebrow, then he looked back at the menu.

“I'll have grilled chicken, rice, and vegetable soup,” he said. “For her…” He glanced at me. “Same thing, but add some fruit and a glass of juice.”

I stared at him. “You don't have to…”

“I know,” he interrupted calmly. “I want to.”

The elderly woman nodded. “I'll get it right away.”

She collected the menu and walked away.

Aiden turned toward me.

“That's Mrs. Celine. She's in charge of providing meals for us whenever we need them,” he explained.

That name.

I looked away as realization hit me: Mrs. Celine was the owner of one of the biggest restaurants in the pack.

How had she suddenly become a cook here?

Kayla suggested. ‘Maybe she was hired by Logan, he obviously wants to impress Alpha Damien by treating Aiden well’

Suddenly a soft voice called out.

“Aiden!”

Both Aiden and I turned toward the entrance as a young, beautiful woman stepped in.

The moment she saw Aiden, her face lit up.

She walked straight toward him and threw her arms around him, pulling him into a hug.

My eyes widened as I stared at them.

Don't tell me my supposed instructor, who's supposed to train me, has suddenly gotten himself a lover?