Luna Aurora novel (Alpha Fenrir)

Chapter 8

"Alpha," Nathan began cautiously, after a moment of silence between them, "you said Aurora did something... something unforgivable. But what could she have possibly done that would make you reject her, your fated mate, over someone from your past?" Fenrir's face darkened, as if dredging up painful memories. His gaze dropped to the floor, and his voice was barely a murmur. "It wasn't easy for me to believe, either, Nathan. But Arianna... she told me that Aurora was responsible for her disappearance. Aurora did that so I could marry her, Nathan."

Nathan's face twisted with skepticism, his disbelief clear. "Alpha, with all due respect, that doesn't sound like Aurora. She's never shown a hint of cruelty or manipulation in all the time she served as our Luna. She's always put you and the pack before herself." Fenrir's jaw clenched. He had known Aurora as a loyal, gentle mate, but the seed of doubt Arianna planted had taken root and festered. It was hard to ignore.

"I know Aurora's character," he admitted, though his voice sounded uncertain even to his own ears. "But Arianna said it with such conviction. And she was the one I loved first-why would she lie?"

Nathan shook his head, disbelief hardening into frustration. "But you're both fated mates, Alpha. Aurora is your destined Luna, the one chosen by the Moon Goddess. How could Arianna manipulate you into doubting that? She doesn't have the bond with you that Aurora does. Arianna is nothing but a devil!"

Just then, the door to Fenrir's office swung open, and Arianna appeared, her expression dark as she narrowed her eyes at Nathan.

"What did you just say?" she demanded, her tone laced with venom. Her gaze fixed on Nathan, who met her glare with a steady defiance, refusing to back down.

Nathan took a breath, his own eyes flashing with anger.

Arianna's face twisted with fury, and in one swift motion, she raised her hand and struck Nathan across the face.

The sound of the slap echoed in the room, and Nathan staggered slightly but held his ground, his eyes blazing with contempt.

Fenrir surged to his feet, anger flooding his veins as he realized what had just happened.

"Arianna, enough!" he commanded, his voice cold and laced with authority. He stepped between her and his Beta, his expression darkening. "I won't tolerate this behavior, especially not toward my Beta. Apologize, and leave us."

Arianna glared at Nathan for a moment longer before scoffing, her lips curling into a smug smile. "Apologize? For defending myself against someone who's clearly biased against me?"

She turned to Fenrir, her gaze softening, though her eyes still sparkled with resentment. "Can't you see, Fenrir? They're all trying to turn you against me, just like Aurora did. Nathan here is no different."

Fenrir's jaw clenched as he struggled to maintain his composure.

Part of him wanted to believe Arianna, but the other part-the rational part-could no longer ignore the toxicity she was bringing to his life and the pack.

"Nathan is loyal to me and this pack," he replied, his voice hard. "And whether you believe it or not, Arianna, his loyalty includes you. But if you can't respect my Beta, how do you expect anyone in this pack to respect you as their Luna?" Arianna's eyes flashed with hurt, quickly replaced by defiance. She straightened, casting a final disdainful look at Nathan before turning on her heel and striding out of the room, slamming the door behind her.

Nathan touched his cheek, where a faint red mark remained from the slap, and looked at Fenrir, shaking his head slowly. "That's the woman you let tear apart your marriage with Aurora?" he asked quietly, the disbelief still clear in his voice.

Fenrir slumped into his chair, his face a mask of turmoil and regret. "I don't know what to believe anymore, Nathan," he admitted, his voice a whisper. "Arianna was my first love, and I trusted her. But now... now I'm beginning to see what a mistake I may have made."

Nathan took a deep breath, his expression softening as he saw the weariness etched into his Alpha's face. "Fenrir, sometimes, the heart doesn't choose based on reason. We can be led by emotion, by nostalgia, by promises that feel too powerful to let go. But Aurora was your true mate, the one chosen by destiny, and she loved you. That kind of bond isn't something to be taken lightly."

Fenrir remained silent, staring down at his hands as he absorbed his Beta's words.

The memories of Aurora's gentleness, her quiet loyalty, and her unwavering strength lingered in his mind, contrasting starkly with Arianna's bitterness and selfishness.

"You still have time, Alpha," Nathan continued gently. "Maybe it's time you confront what's really driving you, what's really keeping you tied to someone who brings out the worst in you."

Fenrir didn't respond immediately, but the doubt and turmoil on his face spoke volumes.

He was beginning to question the path he had chosen, beginning to see the possibility that he had let go of someone extraordinary for all the wrong reasons.

And for the first time, he wondered if he could ever make amends-or if it was already too late.