Chapter 7 Luna's Secret

• Theme: Betrayal by a Friend
• Aria's POV
• Even though I'm just here for a short time, it feels weird to be back in the territory of my former pack. The training grounds, the trees, and the familiar faces all appear the same, yet nothing feels the same. I feel as though I no longer belong here. Since Xander Claimed me.
• In an attempt to get some solace from my best friend, I make my way to Luna's tiny cabin. No matter what, she is the one person I can rely on. But something doesn't feel right, Luna is standing outside with her back to me, gazing into the woods...
• "Luna?" I growl, taking a step forward.
• When she turns around and sees me, her face brightens. Her expression, however, shifts almost as fast, as if she were concealing something. Though it's subtle, I can see it. I'm too familiar with Luna not to notice.
• "Aria," she says as she approaches me. She gives me a momentary embrace, but it seems aloof as if she isn't there. "Why are you here? I assumed you and Xander would be together.
• I shrug. "I needed to take a short break. The situation has been... complicated.
• Luna nods but doesn't continue to inquire, she looks rather anxious, as if she's waiting for something or someone...
• "Are you alright?" I ask, observing her intently. "You look... different."
• Luna makes an effort to grin. "I'm all right, Aria.’’
• I scowl, not persuaded. "What's happening on, Luna? Ever since I arrived, you have been acting strangely.
• She looks away from me, her hands twitching as though she's uneasy. ‘Aria, it's nothing. Don't stress over it.
• However, I am concerned. I am certain that something is wrong, Luna doesn't usually dismiss me this way. We have always been very honest with one another. Why is she cutting me off so abruptly?
• Aria's POV
• As the day unravels, Luna's actions keep bothering me. She always finds a reason to veer around the topic whenever I try to speak with her. There's something she isn't telling me, and I can't get rid of the feeling that something is off. When I see her slipping into the woods right before dusk, that sensation only gets stronger.
• She looks around to make sure she isn't being followed, I observe from a distance, however, she is unaware of me. I observe her, keeping my distance, and walking as lightly as I can. Unaware of me, my heart thumping in my chest.
• Luna moves swiftly as if she were rushing to meet someone as she makes her way deeper into the woods. Suddenly, I catch a glimpse of Damian. He is waiting while standing in a little clearing with his arms folded across his chest.
• As I watch them relate, I freeze in place, concealed behind a tree. My throat tightens with every breath. Why is she here? I ask, ‘Why are they together?’
• Luna approaches Damian with something in her eyes that I can't quite figure out, She appears nervous, scared... Different from the self-assured, powerful Luna I know. Her voice is hardly audible above a whisper as I watch her inhale deeply.
• She says, trembling, "I've always loved you, Damian." "What prevented you from seeing that?"
• My stomach sinks. What?
• Damian takes a while to reply. His expression is unreadable as he simply looks at her. I briefly feared that he would reject her, just like he did me. Instead, though, he moves a step closer and touches her arm with his hand.
• He starts, "Luna," but I can't hear the rest of it.
• My head is reeling from shock and betrayal, and my heart is pounding. Does Luna harbor affection for Damian? How was she able to keep this from me? What kind of betrayal might she have?
• I slowly pull away as I try to take in what I've just witnessed. The man who crushed my heart is in love with the girl I trusted the most, the one person I believed would always be by my side. The guy who made fun of me in front of the whole bunch.
• I can no longer stand it and turn and run, tears stinging my eyes.
• Aria's POV
• My mind is racing and my chest is heaving by the time I get to Luna's cabin. The sight I just witnessed is unbelievable. My best friend Luna has been keeping this from me, and I can't believe that she has been secretly meeting Damian and skulking behind my back.
• Luna jumps, her eyes wide with astonishment, and the door smashes open as I charge inside. She had just returned and didn't think I would be waiting for her.
• "Aria," she adds in a startled tone. "What are you doing here?"
• I don't squander time. "Luna, how could you?" Every word makes my heart hurt, and my voice quivers with emotion. "How are you able to deceive me? How could you meet with him?
• Luna's face goes white. "Wait, Aria." "No!" I interrupted, moving in closer. "Luna, I saw you. I trailed you, and I heard what you said to Damian’
• Her mouth opens and closes as if she is unsure of what to say, and her eyes widen in shock. "Please allow me to explain, Aria."
• "What can you explain?" With tears clouding my vision, I demand. How you have been skulking behind my back? How you have been meeting the man who publicly rejected me?
• When Luna tries to talk, her hands shake. "I promise it's not like that. Damian and I just... This bond between us has always existed, and I.
• My voice swelling with hurt and rage, I interrupted her once more. And you didn't consider telling me? You didn't believe I should be informed?
• Luna's eyes fill with tears, but I don't feel sorry for her. Not in this moment.
• Her voice breaks as she says, "I wanted to tell you." "I just didn't know how."
• Unable to believe what I'm hearing, I shake my head. "Luna, you are my best friend. Together, we have experienced everything. How did you manage to keep this from me? How could you pick him instead of me?
• Luna takes a step forward and reaches for me, but I back off, my heart exploding once more. "Please, Aria," she mumbles. "I never intended to cause you harm."
• "But you did," I utter in a faint, empty voice. "No one could ever hurt me more than you did."
• I turn away and head for the door, my chest constricted with emotion.
• Luna cries in a frantic tone, "Please don't leave, Aria." "Let me explain! I'm so sorry’ she pleaded.
• I don't stop, I am unable to. Not right now. Not after this.
• The cool evening air greets my face as I step outside, but that doesn't make my heart hurt any less. I'm at a loss for what to do. I'm not sure who I can trust or where I fit in.