The Luna the Alpha Regretted LosingPrologue
Aria released a slow breath as her eyes settled on the leather folder resting in her hands.
The thin stack of parchment inside felt far heavier than ordinary pages. It was as if the truth written across them carried a weight her heart could barely withstand.
For seven days she had kept it hidden inside the packhouse, carrying the secret like a stone in her chest. More than once she had tried to tell her mate. The words would rise to her lips… only to die there as fear tightened around her throat.
She could not hide it forever.
Within a werewolf pack, secrets rarely remained buried. The Moon Goddess had a way of dragging hidden truths into the light.
“Little moon…”
Her mate’s voice sounded from the doorway.
Aria startled so violently that her wolf stirred beneath her skin. In a quick motion she slid the folder beneath the pillows on their bed just as Caleb stepped into the room.
By the time he approached her, she had already forced a calm smile onto her face.
Caleb closed the distance easily and wrapped his arms around her waist, pulling her against his chest as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
He lowered his head to the crook of her neck, where the faint silver glow of their mate mark rested against her skin.
“Something troubles you,” he murmured quietly.
The deep rumble of the Alpha wolf within him vibrated through his voice. It was a sound that once brought her comfort.
He pressed several lazy kisses along the back of her neck, his breath brushing against the mark the Moon Goddess had given them.
Aria chuckled softly and pushed him away after a moment.
Caleb immediately frowned, looking almost like a sulking pup whose playtime had been cut short.
Amused despite herself, Aria pointed toward the bathing room.
“Go clean yourself first. You smell like you’ve been sparring with half the warriors.”
Caleb grumbled under his breath but obeyed, disappearing behind the wooden door.
The moment it shut, Aria rushed back to the bed and pulled the hidden folder free.
Without hesitation, she shoved it deep inside the cupboard.
Sooner or later she would tell him.
The truth inside that file could not remain hidden forever.
---
Later that evening, Aria stood in the kitchen of the packhouse, reheating the stew over the fire.
The scent slowly filled the room just as Caleb returned, his hair still damp from washing.