Chapter 2 Breaking Off The Engagement

I stormed downstairs, trying hard to control the raging flames licking at heart. “Aria!” A familiar voice rang from behind me. I glanced over my shoulder to see Greta rushing towards me, flying over the stairs that I feared she’d miss some and fall. Her skin was flushed as sweat clung to her forehead. “Are you okay?” she wheezed, trying to catch her breath. “I’m fine, Why wouldn’t I be?” I tried to sound okay, but the aggravated tone to my voice betrayed me. The gloomy expression in her face told me she already heard what had happened. “What are you going to do about...” she paused, contemplating whether this was the right time to ask. But it didn’t matter. There was never going back to a good time to talk about this. “I’m calling off our engagement.” Her eyes widened slightly, and then she held my hand in hers as her eyes filled with admiration. “You’re a really strong woman. I think that’s the best decision.” She gave my hand a reassuring squeeze, and added grudgingly, “I never thought Darius deserved you anyway.” I chuckled. I thought so too. “Wherever you go, you already know I’ll come with you.” A smile crept on her lips as her eyes lit up. Her loyalty touched my broken heart, and I felt moved to tears. Greta wasn’t just my personal maid; she was like a sister to me. We’d grown alongside each other since we were kids. We came from the same pack, and her grandma had been close to my mom. The haunting memory of my mom’s bloodied corpse, along with her grandma’s body, flooded my mind, and a chilling shudder crawled through my bones. I pulled her into a hug. We’d lost a lot, but at least we had each other. “Thank you, Greta… for everything.” “You don’t have to thank me.” Her arms folded across her chest. “So what’s the next step?” The next step. Straightening my spine and smoothening the flare of my dress, I composed myself. Darius’s words and the thump of Rina’s double heartbeat echoed through the walls of my mind, and a fiery sensation coursed through my veins. I let the pain of his betrayal morph into something I could control - rage. With a vision in mind, I headed towards the council’s hall, while Greta followed behind me. I pushed the large wooden door open, ignoring the guards who tried to lead me in. The council room was empty except for the occupied seat at the center of the podium. Elder Council Selva’s sunken eyes met mine through the rim of her glasses, and she straightened in her seat. “Elder Council Selva,” I greeted when I stopped in front of her. “Aria,” she responded, immediately the stern expression on my face. “I assume Darius has spoken to you. That’s why you’re here, am I right?” I released a deep sigh. “Yes, ma’am.” She looked at me closely, and a pitiful expression crossed her features. “It’s a shame. If I were his mother, I wouldn’t let him get away with it.”She heaved a sigh.“I feel for you. You’ve been nothing but good to him and our pack.” She was right about that. Everyone knew my contributions and the benefits I’d conferred to the Eclipse pack. The ‘Sinclair’ name was a sacred one that held power, even when I was the only one alive. And to think Darius took advantage of it. My fists clenched at my side as I ground my teeth together. I lifted my chin, keeping my gaze locked on the Elder. “I won’t let Darius treat me like some mistress.” “So what do you want from me?” “I want to break off our engagement.” She had been toying with a pen on her desk, but the moment I mentioned breaking the engagement, she froze instantly, and her sunken eyes widening as she took off her glasses. Greta’s movement caught my vision in the corner of my eye. She mouthed, ‘You’re doing a great job,’ and gave me a thumbs-up. A part of me uplifted knowing I had someone at my side. “Are you sure that’s what you want?” the Elder caught my attention as she cleared her throat. “You’re one step further to becoming the Luna. Once you get married to Darius, the title would be yours. Are you ready to throw that all away?” I didn’t have to think twice about it. I’d already made up my mind and I not even the moon goddess herself would get me to change my mind. “The title means nothing to me, if I’d have Darius by my side,” I bit out, not holding back on my harsh words. “I never really cared about becoming the Luna of this pack.” Elder Selva rose an eyebrow, “Why wouldn’t you?” “Before I was engaged to Darius, I was the female Alpha of my pack,” I said, my voice dripping with a confidence I’d shut out for too long. “I only agreed to this engagement to fulfill my mother’s wish.” Maera whimpered at the thought of my mother, clawing a sinking hole deeper into my heart. Her pain mingled with mine and I let the tears well in my eyes. “Darius broke his promise to my mother, so It’s only proper I break this engagement. My pack needs me more than ever, and I won’t turn my back on them any longer.” Elder Selva remianed silent, scrutinizing me for a moment. She finally broke the silence. “Your family died there. Won’t the memories haunt you while you sleep?” Elder Selva’s tone was one of surprise. She was right. My home; my pack was where I’d witnessed my whole family get slaughtered. I could still see the crimson pool of blood coating the mahogany floor. It was a memory that was deeply engraved in my mind. “I appreciate your concern, Elder, but that’s for me to handle. I’d rather stay there than stay under same roof with Darius.” I took a deep breath and added, “I also want Darius cut out from all my businesses, properties and benefits.” Silence stretched between us, and I felt myself growing nervous. What if the council didn’t approve my verdict? She had to. The balls were in my court. I was the one being wronged here, so I had the right to get the judgment I wanted. “Alright then.” The Elder said, and my heart leaped with joy. She handed me some paperwork and made me sign it. Immediately after I signed it, the door to the room burst open, and Darius rushed in. His gaze landed on me, and his nostrils flared as his expression twisted into rage. He rushed past me and stood in front of the Elder. “Decline her Verdict! Do it now!” He yelled, and I flinched. I’d never seen him like that. “I’m afraid it’s too late. Everything she’d shared with you, is all in her name now.” Elder Selva didn’t stutter. I was starting to think she enjoyed this more than I did. Darius turned towards me, rage boiling in his eyes. “You witch!” Shock surged through me. I was too stunned to react as he raised his hand on me. I shut my eyes, waiting for the hit, but it never came. I opened my eyes to see Greta standing in front of me, her small hand grasping Darius’s wrists. “Don’t you dare touch her!” “How dare you try to stop me! A pathetic maid!” He raised his hand and slapped her. Something snapped inside me as my wolf’s growl rumbled in my chest. I shoved Greta aside gently and slapped Darius hard across the face. His eyes widened as his cheek reddened. My chest heaved violently as I glared at him. “If you ever want a fight, come and get it,” I bit out, my tone sharp and venomous. “Touch Greta again, and I’ll kill you with my bare hands.” Darius’ brows shot up, his shock evident in his eyes as I turned towards Greta. I grabbed her hand, and pulled her away with me away from the hall. Later, we got our things packed and ready to leave at night. I couldn’t bear to stay here even for a day. Night came, and the driver arrived. After our things were packed into the car’s trunk, we said our goodbyes to the ones who mattered and drove off. A tear slid down my eyes when we drove out of the gate. I’d grown used to this place, but now it was time to let go. I thought of the family I’d lost, and my heart ached. Greta had already slept off beside me, and soon enough, I was ready to join her. I cut out every thought of Darius and focused on getting a peaceful rest, but just when my eyelids began to close, a loud bang made me jolt awake, and before I could peer out of the window to see what had caused it, our car hit crashed into something hard and somersaulted.