Chapter 31 The Rumors
Chapter 31 — Aria’s POV
The Rumors and the Alpha’s Defense
The morning sun filtered through the tall windows of the pack hall, casting a warm glow across the polished floors. I was standing by the window, my hands clasped tightly, staring outside. Even though the room was silent, my mind was deafening.
I had heard whispers. From some of the pack members, from my brothers who came rushing to me with worried expressions. Rumors… whispers… questions about me. Questions about my past, about the child I carried, about my ability to be Luna.
I swallowed hard, pressing my hands to my stomach. I had imagined being Luna as a dream of honor and responsibility, but now… it felt like walking into a storm. My stomach twisted, and I could feel the fear settling like ice in my chest. Could I really do this? Could I face all of them, the whispers, the doubts, and still stand tall?
A soft knock at the door pulled me from my thoughts. I turned, and Aiden stood there, his presence immediately easing some of the tightness in my chest. He smiled, a little crooked, teasing as always, but there was a firmness in his eyes that made me feel safe.
“You’ve been quiet,” he said, stepping closer. “What’s on your mind?”
I looked at him, my voice barely above a whisper. “Aiden… I heard… people are talking. About me. About… about the child… about me being Luna. I… I don’t know if I can…”
He closed the distance between us and lifted my chin gently, his thumb brushing along my jaw. “Shh,” he said softly. “Listen to me. Those whispers mean nothing. None of that changes what I want. What I want is you, Aria. Only you. You don’t need to fear them. You don’t need to prove anything to anyone but yourself—and to me.”
My heart swelled at his words, a warmth spreading through me that made me feel grounded for the first time all morning. But even as he held me, I could feel the weight of their eyes on me, even if they weren’t physically there. Mina. Her words, her scheming—it all haunted me.
“I know,” I whispered. “But it’s not just them. I feel… watched. Judged. If I fail… I don’t even want to imagine what happens then.”
Aiden chuckled softly, brushing a strand of hair from my face. “You think you could fail? Luna is not someone who stands because she’s never afraid or never questioned herself. Luna is someone who stands because she chooses to—despite the fear, despite the whispers, despite everyone doubting her. And you, my Luna, are stronger than any of them.”
My chest tightened with emotion. I wanted to believe him, to feel that strength within myself. I wanted to be worthy of the title, worthy of the pack, worthy of him.
Before I could say anything else, a sharp sound came from the front hall—a signal that the elders and key pack members had arrived. The room seemed suddenly smaller, more crowded, the air heavier with expectation. I felt a surge of panic, my heart pounding in my chest.
“They’re here,” I said quietly. “Aiden… what if they…?”
He shook his head, smiling softly but firmly. “Then they’ll see exactly who their Luna is. And they’ll see I’m not letting anyone harm her reputation. Not today. Not ever.”
We walked together to the center of the hall, the polished floors echoing beneath our feet. My pulse raced, and I could feel every eye turn toward me as we entered. Whispers immediately rippled through the crowd. I could hear snatches of conversation:
“She’s the one carrying his child…”
“Is she ready for the responsibilities?”
“Can a woman like her truly lead?”
I felt my hands tighten into fists at my sides, trying to steady myself. I wanted to shrink, disappear, escape. But then Aiden stepped forward, putting a hand gently on the small of my back.
“Everyone,” he called, his deep, commanding voice immediately cutting through the murmurings. “I want to address something before any further discussion happens.”
The hall fell silent. Every whisper, every questioning glance, every side-eye, every doubt—all of it froze. All eyes were on him, and through him, on me.
“I am aware,” Aiden continued, his gaze sweeping across the room, “that there are rumors circulating about my Luna. Let me make this very clear: none of these rumors have any bearing on my choice, nor do they bear any truth in terms of her place in this pack. Aria is my Luna. She carries my child. She stands as the woman I have chosen, and no one here, no pack member, no elder, has the right to challenge that decision.”
A shiver of awe and relief ran through me. The room was still, the silence thick, but the weight of his authority pressed on everyone. I felt my chest rise with a sense of pride, even as my stomach twisted with nervous energy.
“Anyone found spreading false rumors, attempting to tarnish her name, or trying to manipulate the pack against her will, will face punishment. As Alpha, it is my duty to protect my Luna. That is the law. That is the order.”
Aiden’s voice was unwavering, powerful. The air seemed to vibrate with his authority. My knees trembled slightly, but it was no longer from fear—it was from the raw intensity of knowing he was standing for me, defending me in front of everyone.
I looked around at the faces of the pack members. Some were silent, nodding in understanding, respect settling over them. Others were still whispering, but their whispers were quieter, tentative. And some—those who had tried to plot or judge—looked cornered, their faces pale under his gaze.
I felt a surge of gratitude and love so strong it nearly made me dizzy. He was not only my protector, my Alpha, but my shield. And in that moment, I realized that being Luna wasn’t just about ceremony or titles—it was about respect, presence, and the support of someone who believed in you without question.
After his speech, Aiden stepped closer to me, brushing a loose strand of hair behind my ear. “Do you see?” he murmured softly, just for me. “You don’t need to fear them. Not now. Not ever.”
I nodded, my throat tight with emotion, unable to speak. I leaned into him, resting my head against his chest. His hand gently cupped my face, his thumb brushing along my cheek.
“You’ve done so well,” he said quietly. “This is exactly what a Luna should do—stand strong, face the storm, and hold her head high.”
I felt tears prick my eyes, a mix of relief, pride, and deep love. “I… I’m trying,” I whispered.
“I know,” he said, smiling softly. “And that’s more than enough. You’re my Luna. And nothing will ever change that.”
For the first time in weeks, I felt a weight lift from my shoulders. The fear, the whispers, the doubts—they were still there, but they no longer controlled me. With him, beside me, I could face anything.
And as the pack members began murmuring, adjusting to the order, nodding, accepting, I realized something profound:
Being Luna wasn’t just about a title. It was about strength, resilience, and the courage to stand—even when the world expected you to fall.
And in that moment, standing there with Aiden, feeling his hand steady on my back and his eyes locked on mine, I knew I was ready.
No rumor, no whisper, no jealous schemer could ever take that away from me.