Chapter 39 Chapter 39
Chapter 39
\- Aria -
I smiled at the shock on her face
"What...who gave you that?" She motioned at it and I looked at my fingers like I didn't know what she was talking about.
"What?" I feigned ignorance
"The sceptre of honour," I could hear the horror in her voice. "How did you get it?"
"Now how else am I supposed to? Why, my husband gave it to me," I said like I was talking about something as casual as the weather
Like it wasn't the royal sceptre of honour which only the Alpha wore
"That is not possible," she muttered to herself but I heard. Then she said loudly, "The Alpha couldn't have given you this."
"You can ask the Alpha if you like, but don't stress me about it. If you don't want to eat with the others you can leave."
That last statement shook her more than the royal sceptre in my hand
Her jaw fell in disbelief.
"Did you just say that to me?" But I did not wait. I was already walking away
I returned to the table where everyone was with a big smile on my face
This is the beginning of a new era for me and it feels so good
I realised what I had been putting up with for years while I was with Marcus
I only decided no more, because Jason was already regretting taking me in and I could not afford to be pushed down so easily like always
I know the road will be tougher. The storm will always get worse, but somehow I am ready for it
Ready to face anything and do whatever it takes to remain standing
I have what it takes. Aria has what it takes
\- Natasha -
I had to help myself and closed my mouth so I wouldn't look so funny with my mouth open for long
I have not been this.... shocked for years
The sudden, drastic turn of events? It felt like a dream
Because not only did Jason give Aria his sceptre, but it felt like it had released some new guts in her
Did she just speak to me the way she did?
What the hell is sponsoring her arrogance?
But not to worry, whatever wings she had suddenly grown overnight I will cut them off
At the dining, I hated to admit it but as I couldn't get my eyes off her I noticed Aria had a different kind of glow that shone with confidence
She smiled and spoke boldly, not the timid and naive Aria that had always hidden under the shadows, talking only when she was spoken to
This transformation cannot happen in just a few days
Three days!
Three days that we left the pack only for me to return to this
I need a better explanation. And it will start with Jason explaining what the hell he meant by giving her the royal sceptre
So I cornered him after the dinner
"Is everything alright, Natasha?" He asked when he noticed the look on my face
"I need you to tell me you were not the one who gave Aria that royal sceptre," I said
"But I was the one who did," he said calmly.
"Why on earth will you do that?" I almost yelled
"Because it's mine and I can," he shrugged
"Alpha that ring symbolises your power. No one gets to carry it but you and you alone. How are you giving it to a woman you know nothing about? Does this even make any sense?"
"That woman is my wife and Luna of my pack," he frowned at me
"It doesn't change the fact that she is a total stranger. Have you forgotten that what you have with her is just a contract that will not last long?"
"But while the contract stands she's my wife," he said
"You are not getting my point Alpha. I cannot understand how you released such a thing to her. You have never given anyone access to it. Not even your late wife Elena..."
"Natasha!" Jason called warningly, and I shut it down immediately. I did not want to upset him.
He sighed
"I understand your concern but I need you to know that I have my reasons for doing that. Part of which is a calculated move. So don't think about it too much."
I wanted to argue further and tell him some things were not worth pushing to that extent
But he was already looking like he had had enough of that conversation.
So I just nodded and let it be.
Jason left me standing there and when I turned to leave I saw Alexei
I looked at him passively, and when I strode past him he spoke
"You know Aria is not going to be Luna forever," he said to me. "If you are so desperate about having Jason just wait for this moment to pass. If you cannot endure this you might lose all you've worked so hard for."
I stood for a moment, then decided I was not going to say anything to him
I walked away
Not even for a single second do I want Aria to be Luna over me. A strange woman who didn't know all I have done to be where I am today
Whether it's a fake commitment or contract or whatever it is, it had put her in a place better than me and I did not like it
Jason would have been able to come up with a better plan to take down Marcus and he would have succeeded
Yet he chose this. What does marking Aria necessarily have to do with this?
I mean, he would have still successfully done it without her
Yet her gave her a privilege above everything he had ever given me. I cannot take it. I will make sure Aria loses everything
I recalled the smile on her face earlier. I will take it off soon. Everything I have done to her was just the tip of the iceberg