Chapter 25
Aria’s POV
The marble floors echoed with each step of my heels as I followed Jack into his mansion. My torn silver dress caught the light from the crystal chandeliers overhead, making the rips in the delicate fabric even more obvious.
Jack moved ahead with the fluid grace typical of alpha heirs, his designer shoes somehow silent against the polished floors. “Please, make yourself comfortable,” he gestured toward a leather sofa that looked like it cost more than half a year’s salary from the training facility. I’ll get you something warm to drink while we wait for the bath to be ready.”
I remained standing, maintaining the loose but ready stance that had become second nature after countless fights. My eyes swept the room, taking in the original artwork adorning the walls and antique furniture that spoke of old money and generations of power. Through the floor–to–ceiling windows, the full moon hung like a silent sentinel, its silver light creating shifting patterns across the marble floor. The whole place screamed wealth and privilege, making me acutely aware of my torn dress and bare feet.
‘Here we are.” Jack returned carrying a delicate china teacup, tendrils of steam rising in elegant spirals. The bathroom will need a few more minutes to heat up properly,” he explained extending the cup toward me. “This is a special blend chamomile and lavender, with a few extra herbs for relaxation. We wouldn’t want you catching cold after tonight’s excitement.”
I studied his face as he spoke, noting how his smile seemed genuine enough. The teacup felt delicate in my hands, reminding me of the fine china my mother used to serve tea in at Silver Moon pack house. Part of me wanted to refuse after what happened with Bella six years ago, accepting drinks from anyone made me wary. But would an alpha heir really stoop to drugging a guest? Besides, I reasoned, I was already in his territory. If he meant me harm, he had easier ways than poison.
“The water should be ready in about fifteen minutes,” Jack added, watching me with an intensity that made my skin prickle despite the warmth of the tea in my hands. “Plenty of time to warm up and recover from your… eventful evening.”
I stared at the offered сир memories of another drugged drink six years ago flashing through my mind. But surely an alpha heir wouldn’t stoop to such tactics. My fingers trembled slightly as I accepted the cup, its warmth seeping into my palms.
Just a few sips to steady your nerves,” Jack’s voice had dropped lower, taking on a hypnotic quality. “You’ve had quite a night.”
The tea tasted of flowers and honey, deceptively innocent. But as soon as the liquid touched my tongue, I knew I’d made a terrible mistake. Warmth spread through my body like wildfire, pleasant at first but quickly turning to burning heat. The room began to spin, edges blurring like watercolors in rain.
‘What did you… My tongue felt thick, words slurring despite my best efforts. The teacup slipped from my suddenly nerveless fingers, shattering against the marble floor in a spray porcelain and liquid.
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‘Shh, Jack caught me as my knees buckled, his touch making my skin crawl despite the drug’s fog. ‘Just something to help you relax. You’re always so tense, so guarded. Don’t you ever get tired of fighting?”
Through rapidly dimming vision, I watched him turn toward his study, presumably to retrieve something. The moment his back was turned, I forced my uncooperative body into motion. Years of combat training took over even drugged, my muscles remembered how to move.
I staggered toward the French doors leading to the back garden, each step a battle against the growing darkness in my mind. My silver dress caught on thorny bushes as I stumbled through manicured flowerbeds, leaving behind strips of moonlight–colored silk like bread crumbs in a dark forest.
The world tilted dangerously, trees and sky trading places in a nauseating dance. My bare feet found gravel, then grass, each step carrying me further from the mansion’s warm lights. But the drug was strong, stronger even than what Bella had used years ago. My limbs grew heavier with each passing second.
“Now, now,” Jack’s voice carried across the garden, closer than I’d expected. “You’re only making this harder on yourself. A lone wolf needs protection in our world. I’m offering you a chance to reclaim your place in society.”
My back hit rough bark – I’d reached the property’s tree line. The moon above swam in my vision, two, three, four moons dancing in a silver kaleidoscope. My legs finally gave out, sending me sliding down the trunk until I sat sprawled in dew–damp grass.
“No…” The word came out as barely a whisper. Even without my wolf powers, I could sense Jack approaching, his alpha presence rolling across the garden like thunder before a storm.
“Such a waste,” his voice carried false sympathy as his expensive shoes came into view. “The mighty Silver Moon princess, reduced to this. But don’t worry – I’ll take good care of you. Maybe even help raise that boy of yours properly…”
The mention of Lucas sent a surge of maternal rage through my system, burning away some of the drug’s fog. My fingers curled in the grass, gathering strength for one last fight. I might go down, but I’d make damn sure to leave my mark first.
Just as Jack reached for me, a bone–chilling growl split the night. Through my blurring vision, I saw a massive black shape launch itself over the garden wall- a wolf larger than any I’d ever seen, its fur gleaming like polished obsidian in the moonlight.
The last thing I registered before consciousness fled was a pair of familiar forest–green eyes blazing with protective fury, and the sensation of strong arms lifting me from the ground. Then darkness claimed me, and I knew no more.
