Chapter 40

Chapter 40
|| ARIA's POV ||

As I stepped into a small clearing, a low growl froze me in place. My breath hitched, and my hand flew to the dagger strapped to my belt. I scanned the darkness, my heart pounding like a war drum. That’s when I saw it—a large black werewolf prowling between the trees, its glowing amber eyes locked onto me.

Panic surged through me, and I stumbled back, my foot catching on a root. The wolf snarled softly, its movements slow and deliberate, as if it was studying me rather than preparing to attack.

“Stay calm,” I whispered to myself, gripping the hilt of my dagger tightly.

Then something strange happened. The wolf’s growl softened, and its body began to convulse. I watched in stunned silence as the creature’s form shifted, the coarse black fur receding to reveal smooth, pale skin. The hulking frame shrank, the snout receding into a delicate face.

I gasped, my dagger slipping from my hand and clattering to the ground.

Standing before me was a woman—a familiar one. Her dark hair fell in loose waves over her shoulders, and her amber eyes, now dimmer but still striking, stared at me in confusion. It took me a moment to process what I was seeing.

“Vanessa?” I breathed, my voice trembling.

Her head snapped up at the sound of her name, her eyes widening. “Aria?” she asked, her voice hoarse and uncertain. She looked down at herself, realizing dawning as she wrapped her arms around her bare body. “What… What’s happening?”

I quickly shrugged off my shawl and draped it over her shoulders. “Here, take this,” I said, my hands shaking as I tried to cover her.

Vanessa clutched the shawl tightly, her breathing shallow. “I don’t understand,” she whispered, her voice cracking. “Why was I…?” Her words trailed off, her eyes flickering with fear and confusion. “Why can’t I remember anything?”

I didn’t know how to answer her. My mind was spinning with questions of my own, but I knew this wasn’t the time. “It’s okay,” I said gently, trying to keep my voice steady. “You’re safe now.”

She looked at me, her eyes filled with tears. “Aria… What did I do? Did I hurt anyone?”

“No,” I said quickly, placing a reassuring hand on her shoulder. “You didn’t hurt anyone. But we need to get you out of here before someone else finds you.”

Vanessa nodded, her body trembling as I guided her through the forest. The journey back to the castle was quiet, the only sounds our footsteps and the occasional rustle of leaves. Vanessa seemed lost in thought, her gaze distant as if she were trying to piece together fragments of a broken memory.

When we finally reached my room, I closed the door behind us and helped her sit on the edge of the bed. She clung to the shawl, her knuckles white as she stared at the floor.

“Do you remember anything at all?” I asked softly, kneeling in front of her.

She shook her head slowly. “I… I remember going to sleep. And then… nothing. The next thing I knew, I was in the forest, and you were there.” She looked up at me, her eyes pleading. “What’s happening to me, Aria?”

I hesitated, unsure how to respond. “I think…” I paused, choosing my words carefully. “I think you’re more powerful than you realize, Elnora.”

Her brow furrowed. “What do you mean?”

I took a deep breath, the weight of my realization settling over me. “You’ve always thought you were an omega, right? That you’re at the bottom of the pack?”

She nodded, her expression wary.

“I don’t think that’s true,” I said, my voice firm. “I think you’re an Alpha, Vanessa. And not just any Alpha—a strong one.”

Her eyes widened, and she shook her head vehemently. “No, that’s not possible. I’ve never been an Alpha. I’ve always been…” She trailed off, her voice breaking. “I’ve always been nothing.”

“That’s not true,” I said firmly, grabbing her hands. “You’ve always been more than you think. Tonight proves it. You shifted, Vanessa. You shifted into something powerful, something that only an Alpha could become.”

She pulled her hands away, standing abruptly. “No,” she said, pacing the room. “You don’t understand. I’ve been told my whole life that I’m weak, that I’m not good enough. How could I possibly be an Alpha?”

“Because they lied to you,” I said, standing as well. “Whoever told you that wanted to keep you down, to keep you from realizing your true potential. But you can’t ignore it anymore, Vanessa . The truth is staring you in the face.”

She stopped pacing, turning to look at me with tears streaming down her face. “I don’t know how to be an Alpha, Aria,” she said, her voice barely above a whisper. “I don’t even know who I am anymore.”

I stepped closer, placing a hand on her shoulder. “You don’t have to figure it out all at once,” I said gently. “But you can’t keep pretending you’re something you’re not. You’re strong, Vanessa.Stronger than you realize. And whatever’s happening to you, we’ll figure it out together.”

She looked at me, her eyes searching mine for reassurance. “Do you really think I can do this?” she asked.

“I know you can,” I said with a small smile. “You just have to believe in yourself.”

Vanessa took a deep, shuddering breath, wiping the tears from her face. “Okay,” she said softly. “But… please don’t tell anyone about this. Not yet.”

“I won’t,” I promised. “This stays between us until you’re ready.”

She nodded, her shoulders relaxing slightly. “Thank you, Aria. For everything.”

“Of course,” I said, squeezing her shoulder. “You’re not alone in this, Vanessa.I’ve got your back.”

She gave me a faint smile, the first hint of hope I’d seen in her eyes all night. As she sat back down on the bed, exhaustion overtaking her, I couldn’t help but feel a surge of determination. Vanessa’s journey was just beginning, and I would do whate
ver it took to help her uncover the truth about herself—and her power.