Chapter 51

Aria

The effects of my heat had reduced more than a lot since the last day. It was obvious because mainly it was Hunter's mark that my wolf side craved for and Sierra was on the ninth cloud ever since. Surely she was loving all the love she was getting from our mate.

Currently, I did not know what I was doing. I was mindlessly staring at the sleeping Alpha beside me. I could notice the marks I had left on his neck during having sex a few hours ago, countless nail scratches were scattering over his board back as well but they could not be seen right now since he was sleeping facing me.

My marks on the other hand were scarcely visible due to the nightgown I had on me. If it was the last few days, I wouldn't have bothered to wear anything but now that my heat was fading, It was reasonable for me to wear something.

Even though it was late at night, I still could not sleep. My thoughts were loud and awake. The tingling feeling where Hunter's mark was kept my emotions on the edge. Did not know if it was the butterflies in my belly, the profound contentment, or anything else but something kept me awake and that was all I knew.

Hunter shifted in his sleep and turned on his back, the moonlight managed to sneak through the open window and fall over his shimmering skin. Smiling I leaned in and placed a kiss on top of his forehead.

And in between the moments of gazing at him and diving into my thoughts, I slowly fell asleep.

*****

It was not accurate how many I had slept before some shifting sound woke me up from my sleep.

My eyelids opened ever so slightly still roofed in the sleepy haze. I saw Hunter getting up from the bed whilst talking with someone on the phone.

"Yeah, she's asleep. I guess I can come right now." He told the person on the phone.

Who could it be?

"Yeah, she might not be awake in a while. I'll come to your room."

My heart sank hearing his words. I could see his face because his back was facing him while he buttoned up his Shirt.

They could mean absolutely nothing but at the same time indicate something I did not want to see. The sun hasn't gone up, nor has the pitch black darkness of the night faded, it could probably be three or four AM.

And who could be calling him at this hour? The question was bugging me but asking him did not seem like the best option.

"Yeah, I am coming." With that, he cut the phone.

He moved to glance back at me but he could not notice me awake because I closed my eyes at the correct moment; He walked out of the room without wasting another minute, thinking I was asleep.

As he left the room, I sat up straight. Dismay shrouded my mind and soul, a weird feeling twisted in my gut along with the inexplicable anxiousness.

In my mind, I had not decided what I was going to do but my feet seem to have a plan on their own; I found myself masking my scent and slowly opening the door before following the direction Hunter had left to.

I carefully followed him, hiding behind the pillars each time he'd glance back. It was suspicious how he'd look around as if he was guilty, or whatever he was going to do was meant to be a dark secret.

I was indeed following him but deep down I desperately hoped that I would not have to witness something I did not want to.

Hunter finally stopped in front of a door and knocked two times; I glanced at the door number from behind the pillar, muttering a curse under my breath when I realized that I did know whose room it was.

However, my wait did not turn out to be long-lasting since the door was soon opened by the one who was staying in the room.

My eyes widened, and my hand flew to my mouth to stop the gasp from slipping out. For a second, my whole body was frozen on the spot, I could not move, I could not even think what to do, all I did was to watch them from afar and witness the nightmare.

It was Ashley...

"Finally." Ashley breathed out and hugged Hunter, breathing in his scent as she buried her head in his neck.

Slowly but Hunter's arms moved to wrap around her too.

I felt a harsh pain stab in my chest. Unknowingly tears began gathering in my eyes; The pained howl of Sierra rang in my head along with my own agony.

"I missed you," she said pulling away and cupping his face in her hands, "Finally you managed to get out of the hold of that witch."

"I missed you too, now let's get inside the room before anyone can see us."

"Yes, let's go." She seductively whispered before she pulled him inside the room with her not bothering to close the door.

I walked closer to the door, From the gap of the door, my eyes could see everything that was happening. My legs were fighting to give up yet I managed to stand still somehow and force myself to witness the ugly truth that was unfolding in front of me. My anguish, pain, and affliction had no bound.

Watching the person whose mark I was wearing betray me like this was the last thing I had expected. But that was what I was forced to see right now.

"How much time do you have on your hand?" She asked, her sultry voice and her hands that traveled to Hunter's collar told her intentions very well and he too did not seem to have any complaints about it.

"We can't do this right now, Ashley. You know it, she would be able to feel it because of the mate bond."

"I know," she rolled her eyes, looking seemingly annoyed, "I wonder how many days we are going to have to bear that burden, basically it's your fault because you realized it late that you love me not her and now we are just stuck in this mess."

Unknowingly tears streamed down my face. It was hard to believe what I was hearing right now but how could I even deny the truth now that it was all in front of me?

"Once this Knight gets away from our lives, hopefully, I can get rid of her. Unfortunately, we need her for now. You know the influence her father has over everyone and if he turns against me half of the pack members are going to go against us.  We can't risk anything for now." These were Hunter's words, spoken by himself without even a tinge bit of remorse or hesitation.

"Oh, I forgot, Jonathan was the reason you decided to announce Aria as the Luna in the first place, such a clever thing you are, huh?" She traced her nail on his jaw and trailed it upwards reaching his lips and brushing her finger on the bottom one.

"I can't wait to have your mark on me and have you in the bed all night long like we used to." She breathed out, lust dripped from her voice.

The harsh betrayal hurt. It hurt so bad, I just....I just couldn't even express in words what I was going through.

I loved this guy....

And this was what he gave me in return; Only damage and betrayal.

"Don't worry, hopefully, we won't have to wait much longer," Hunter said, I could notice the smirk on his face.

This was it. I could not keep it inside anymore. I barged into Ashley's room, leaving the door to fly open.

Both of their surprised gazes landed on me, and dismay roofed my so-called mate's face instantly.

Surely, this was going to be a long night for both of them.