Touching the necklace again, after a long time, made Arya emotional. All her life, she'd been wearing this, yet didn't know about it.
Putting it on, she looked at the mirror. She felt like herself, Arya Hunter, again. She turned to Alfa and asked, "Do I smell like a wolf or a human?"
Alfa didn't know what to say. She did smell different, but he didn't know that scent. She neither smells like a wolf nor human.
"What?" Arya asked when she saw hesitation on his face.
"I don't know, it's new to me," Alfa finally said.
"Look, I know you don't agree with me on going to the Moonstone territory, but I need to. I don't know what I'll gain from the visit, but I feel something is waiting for me there," Arya told her mate.
"Unless Rodriguez allows you to, you're not going anywhere," Alfa said, shaking his head.
"Michael hasn't sent me his number. I just feel like I have to give him a call again..."
"Give him some time. Rodriguez is a rogue. He doesn't always carry a phone. Maybe he has no phone..."
Arya sulked. This wasn't part of her plan.
"You know, tonight is our marking ceremony. You should get enough rest..." Alfa said, but Arya seemed to get tensed at the mention of marking.
Arya was suddenly overcome by a heaviness she couldn't describe. If she goes ahead and gets marked by him, everyone will know she belongs to Alfa Flowerew, and it will endanger her life if she does go to Moonstone.
If Arya refuses to get marked, she's dead meat. Alfa himself will harm her.
"What's wrong?" Alfa asked.
"It's just that I wanted them present at the ceremony. My aunt and uncle." Arya's voice was filled with sadness.
Alfa saw her eyebrows twitch but didn't say anything about that.
"I did invite them, but they won't be able to make it. I'm kind of glad that they won't be here..." Alfa said.
"You're glad my family won't be attending? Why?" Arya said, her voice mixed with anger and relief.
"Lord Caspian will be here, along with his important people. They prey on humans."
"Was that the reason you moved my team closer to your home?" Arya asked, remembering what Bella had told her.
"Could be... who knows?"
"Always the mysterious one, are we?"
"Why not?" Saying this, Alfa walked closer to Arya. His hand slipped onto her waist, and he moved her closer to him.
Arya felt her nerves calm, and she felt more relaxed. There was something about his touch that she just couldn't resist him.
Alfa pulled her closer to him. If only she knew how he felt. Her scent, the wildflowers mixed in cinnamon and honey... oh, the relief and peace he felt close to her, he couldn't describe it in words.
He could smell her! When he is this close to her, he can smell her.
He had missed her so much, and Braxen wanted to claim her right here right now, but Alfa knew this would drive her further away.
Arya felt herself drown in his deep blue eyes as he stared at her, with so much love and possessiveness.
There was something so deep and passionate about him that Arya just wanted to hold him and never let go. Bella stired in her, and at that moment, there were no problems, no worries, and no difference between them.
They both came to their senses as they heard a knock on the door. Alfa made a low growl of disapproval as he let go of his mate. "Who is it?" He called out, knowing fully well that it was one of the servants.
"Forgive me, Alfa, the Luna, Genevieve wants an audience with the future Luna," came a shaking voice.
Alfa rolled his eyes and called back, "Tell her she's on her way."
"Yes, Alfa." They heard footsteps running away.
"You didn't have to scare the living soul out of her, you know," Arya said as she looked at him, smirking.
"She disturbed me," Alfa said, smiling.
"Well, I have to go." With that, Arya turned around, and Alfa pulled her closer, kissing her cheek. "I'll miss you," he whispered.
Arya smiled and ran out of the room. She followed the scent of the servant and found Luna Genevieve on the couch with a cup of coffee.
"You called for me, Luna?" Arya asked.
"Aria, I told you, call me mom. And yes, I called. I wanted to discuss some important matters that a luna must handle, so that before taking the oath, you will know some things that need to be handled by you," she said, as Arya sat down.
"Firstly, you will be in charge of maintaining peace in the pack house, since most quarrels are not very important, and don't require the alfas attention."
Luna Genevieve continued to tell Arya what she needed to know, and while that, Arya felt heavy. She felt like someone was calling out to her, but she didn't know who.
"Aria? Are you OK?" The older woman asked, concerned. "You don't look too good."
"Yes, I'm fine, just... I feel like someone is trying to talk to me... " Arya tried to explain.
"I see you're wearing Anna's necklace.."
Arya looked at her. "Do you know anything about this?"
"A long time ago, your mother told me that this necklace holds the power to disguise your scent and allow you to coexist with any creature you want. Your father was able to enter this pack without being noticed, but it gives different powers, according to what you need at the moment," Alfa's mother explained.
Arya felt the same tug, as if someone was calling out to her. Seeing her resistance, Genevieve said, "Don't fight it, child, relax."
Arya relaxed herself, taking deep breaths. Then she heard it, "Luna Arya, help me!"
"Mother, someone needs my help," Arya said, looking at the older lady.
"Who? Could you recall who's voice it was?"
"No... but she sounded really weak..."
"Try to ask her where she is. If she can get to you, maybe you can get through to her!" Genevieve adviced.
Arya tried concentrating. She thought of the voice and focused on it, "Where are you?"
"West dumpsite, boarder," the voice came back.
"Mother, she's at west dumpsite, near the boarder," Arya said excitedly.
"I'll have the beta..." "Please mom, I want to go too," Arya pleaded.
"It could be a trap!"
"No mother, she's in genuine need of help." Arya was close to begging.
"Ok, but Flower goes with you."
Arya nodded.