Chapter 21 Not Nice
Chapter 21— Aria’s POV
Not Nice
The room smelled of fresh fabric and soft flowers.
Clothes were spread across the bed—simple dresses, ceremonial fabrics, delicate pieces chosen carefully by the maids. I stood in front of the mirror, holding one of the dresses against my body, trying to imagine myself wearing it on the day my life would change forever.
My heart felt full… and nervous.
This ceremony wasn’t just about becoming Luna.
It was about choosing a future.
Aiden sat on the couch beside the bed, watching me with a relaxed smile, his long legs stretched out comfortably. He looked nothing like the cold Alpha people feared. Right now, he looked like a man teasing the woman he cared about.
“You’ve been staring at that dress for ten minutes,” he said, amused. “Is it going to stare back and choose itself?”
I laughed softly. “I just want everything to be perfect.”
He stood up and walked toward me, standing behind me so I could see his reflection in the mirror.
“You don’t need perfection,” he said gently. “You already are.”
My face warmed. “You say things like that too easily.”
“That’s because I mean them,” he replied, grinning. “Besides, if you keep worrying, you’ll wrinkle the dress before the ceremony.”
I shook my head, smiling despite myself.
For the first time in a long time, I felt light. Safe. Like maybe… just maybe… happiness was allowed to stay.
Then—
A soft knock came at the door.
“Come in,” Aiden said.
The maid bowed slightly as she entered. Her expression was careful.
“My Alpha,” she said, then turned to me. “Lady Aria… your mother is here. She came with… someone else.”
My hands froze around the dress.
“My mother?” I repeated.
Aiden straightened immediately. “She didn’t inform us she was coming.”
Neither did I expect her to.
My heart started beating faster. A strange feeling settled in my chest.
“Let her in,” I said after a moment. “Please.”
The maid bowed again and left.
I placed the dress back on the bed slowly.
Something wasn’t right.
The door opened.
My mother walked in first, dressed neatly, her face calm—but tight. And behind her…
Mina.
My breath caught.
For a second, I thought I was imagining it.
But no.
She stood there, her lips curved in a small smile, her eyes sharp and calculating.
The room felt colder instantly.
Aiden and I exchanged a look. He was clearly surprised too.
“Good afternoon,” my mother said politely.
“Good afternoon,” Aiden replied, his tone respectful but guarded.
I nodded. “Mum.”
“Mina,” I added, my voice steady.
She inclined her head slightly. “Sister.”
Silence filled the room.
My mother looked around at the clothes on the bed, the preparations, the room itself.
“I came to see my daughter,” she said, smiling faintly. “And to see how the preparations are going.”
“They are going well,” Aiden replied.
He seemed like he wanted to say more—but stopped himself.
My mother turned to him. “Alpha Aiden… if you don’t mind, could you excuse us? I want to speak with my daughter alone.”
Aiden hesitated.
I could tell he didn’t like this. His jaw tightened slightly.
But then he nodded. “I’ll be right outside.”
Before leaving, he looked at me—really looked at me.
If anything happens, his eyes seemed to say, call me.
The door closed behind him.
The room felt smaller.
Heavier.
My mother turned to me.
“Aria,” she began softly, “I know you are my daughter. Even though we found you after so many years… I know you are a good girl.”
My heart sank.
I had heard this tone before.
I took a slow breath. “Mum… whatever you came to say isn’t kind. I can feel it. Let’s go straight to the point.”
She paused, clearly surprised by my directness.
Then she nodded. “Alright.”
She gestured toward Mina.
“Mina has loved Aiden for a long time,” she said. “She has dreamed of becoming his Luna. She would do anything for him.”
Mina stepped forward, her eyes already shining with tears.
“You know our relationship hasn’t been good,” my mother continued. “But I don’t think it’s right for you to go this far… to take away the man she believes is hers.”
My chest tightened.
I breathed in.
And out.
Slowly.
Mina’s voice broke. “Sister… please. Don’t do this to me. I love Aiden.”
I looked at her carefully.
Really looked at her.
Then I spoke calmly.
“I gave you a choice,” I said. “And you chose.”
Both of them stared at me.
“I didn’t go after Aiden,” I continued. “He chose me. I even asked him directly. He told me the truth—you and him never dated. You were never in love.”
Mina’s face flickered for just a second.
Anger.
Then pain.
Then she masked it.
“Who would refuse an Alpha like him?” I added quietly. “Especially a kind man like Aiden.”
My mother’s lips pressed together.
“We came to beg you,” she said firmly. “But if you say no… you might not like our next move.”
I smiled.
Not because I was happy.
But because I finally understood.
“I know you never liked me,” I said softly. “It was my mistake to come back, thinking I would be welcomed with love. Only my brothers did that.”
Mina laughed suddenly.
A cold sound.
“Then watch out,” she said. “Since you’ve refused.”
That was it.
“Leave,” I said calmly.
They froze.
“Leave now,” I repeated. “Before I shout.”
For a moment, no one spoke.
Then my mother straightened, clearly embarrassed.
“Let’s go,” she said to Mina.
They turned and walked out.
The door closed.
My knees felt weak.
Aiden entered immediately.
He didn’t ask questions.
He pulled me into his arms.
And for the first time since they arrived… I let myself breathe.