Chapter 6

• Chapter 6: Playing the Role
• ARIA POV
• Killian said, "Smile, Aria," so softly that only I could hear. As he led me into the packed hall of Moonshine Pack's meeting, his hand was resting possessively on the small of my back. "They're observing."
• The pressure of having thousands of eyes on me almost choked me as I attempted a tight-lipped grin. My natural reaction was to resist his touch, but the inquisitive looks and murmuring voices made me realize that now was no time to hesitate.
• There was bustle in the main hall. With a mixture of curiosity and mistrust, the room was crowded with warriors, pack elders, and visiting allies. News of our "bond" had gone viral, and tonight was the first time the farce Killian and I had decided upon was put to the test.
• As he waved to a number of pack leaders, Killian's hand moved from my back to my waist, drawing me in. His touch was measured, purposeful. I clenched my jaw, resisting the want to push him away.
• He said, "Calm down," as his lips touched my ear. "You should appear as though you belong here."
• I whispered to myself, "I don't belong here." "And you are aware of it."
• He had an annoying sneer. "Perhaps not just yet. However, you will.
• We came to a halt next to several elderly people, who were examining me with keen eyes. The first to speak was one of them, a silver-haired lady with a direct manner.
• "So, Alpha, this is the notorious partner you have been keeping hidden from us." She sounded more accusatory than inquisitive.
• Killian's arm tightened around my waist as he bowed his head. With ease, he said, "Aria is not one for the spotlight." "However, she has shown herself to be more than deserving of my support."
• The elder's sharply penetrating stare shifted to mine. "Deserving, you say? What precisely makes her so?
• Killian started to reply, but I spoke before him.
• Despite the tremble in my chest, I spoke steadily and said, "I'm not here to prove myself to anyone." "It should be sufficient that Killian picked me."
• The senior nodded after raising her eyebrows and displaying a brief expression of satisfaction. "We'll check to see if you live up to the Alpha's trust."
• As the group went on, Killian laughed and his hold on me loosened a little. "Very impressive," he whispered.
• I yelled, "I don't need your approval."
• His face became serious, but a voice from the other side of the room interrupted him before he could respond.
• "Aria!"
• I became cold. The voice was too near, too familiar. My heart fell as I turned slowly and saw Darius walking toward us with his golden eyes fixed on mine.
• The tension in the air seemed to rise as the room became silent. Darius paused a few paces away, looking from me to Killian and back again.
• "So, it's true," he said in a chilly tone. "You have joined forces with him."
• Killian moved forward, adopting a defensive stance. Calmly, he said, "Aria made her decision." "You'd be wise to honor it."
• A sneer curved Darius's lips. "Draven, I'm not speaking to you."
• The weight of his eyes was too much to bear. I felt as if I could choke as painful and treacherous memories rushed to the surface. I couldn't allow him to see that, however.
• I forced steel into my voice and said, "Darius, I've moved on." "You ought to too."
• The slightest hint of something—hurt? anger?—crossed his face as his jaw clenched. However, everyone's attention was diverted by a startling ruckus at the door before he could reply.
• A scout with a pallid complexion and ripped clothing rushed into the hall. "Alpha! The western border has been crossed by rogues!
• Killian was already on the move, giving his troops commands. "Get everyone to a safe place. Keep close to me, Aria.
• However, Darius took a step forward, his face ferocious. "No. She will accompany me.
• With angry flashes in his eyes, Killian turned on him. "That's no longer up to you to decide."
• Darius snarled, his body stiffening as if he were about to fight, "I'm not leaving her in your hands."
• The tension between the two alphas reached a breaking point as the room erupted with electricity.
• Putting myself in their position, I responded, "I can make my own decisions." Even though my voice was louder than I meant to be, it stopped the fight from becoming worse.
• They both turned to face me, their faces displaying a mixture of annoyance and an unidentified emotion.
• I firmly said, "I'll stay with Killian," disregarding the knot in my stomach that felt like doubt. He is now my friend. Or did you forget?
• As Killian grabbed my hand and guided me to the exit, Darius's eyes darkened but he remained silent.
• The smell of ash and blood filled the air outside. Even though there were distant noises of combat, Killian's whole attention was on me.
• He responded softly, "You didn't have to say that."
• "Yeah, I did," I said, my voice shaking.
• He turned to me and stopped moving. The hard edges of his manner softened for a minute. "You don't have to do this alone, Aria."
• I answered, stepping back from him, "I'm not doing it for you."
• Whatever he was about to say was cut off by the sound of growling. A rogue with its claws outstretched and its fangs bared sprang from the darkness.
• Killian's hand turned into claws as he sliced the rogue across the chest, moving before I could react. Its blood stained the soil as it fell in a heap.
• His face was black with rage as he turned to confront me. "Now get inside."
• But before I could reply, a second rogue—this one bigger and wilder—came into view. And it wasn't by itself this time.
• The outlaws moved forward, staring at me with luminous crimson eyes. The sound of their growls filled the air as I staggered back, my pulse pounding.
• Killian moved ahead of me, his body acting as a barrier to keep the menace at bay.
• Despite the confusion, he said in a firm voice, "Stay behind me."
• But a cold, pointy object cut my side as the first rogue attacked. Pain shot through me, causing my vision to distort as I gasped.
• "Aria!" The thundering in my ears almost drowned out Killian's distant words.
• His expression of unadulterated wrath as he ripped into the rogues was the last thing I saw before darkness engulfed me.
• Everything became dark after that.