Mute

Aria’s POV

As I stood by the window, watching the s***nts go about their morning routines, the door swung open abruptly, and in walked Caspian, flanked by his beta and Ellen-the very woman for whom he had rejected me, the woman he chose to be his Luna.

Surprisingly, I didn’t feel the sharp pang of hurt I had anticipated. Instead, a dull ache spread through my chest as I composed myself to face them. I had no business with these people. I had left the pack once, and I was prepared to leave again.

A flicker of something crossed Caspian’s eyes as he inquired “How are you faring?”

I responded with a simple sign, indicating that I was fine, though inwardly, I despised him for bringing Ellen to see me.

Was he trying to rub it in my face that Ellen was better than me? Why else would he bring his chosen Luna to see me, right after rescuing me from the clutches of Alpha Brent? Hatred brewed within me, directed solely at Caspian.

Ellen sneered at me, her disdain evident as she spoke. “So, you’re the mute whom Caspian is troubling himself over?”

I blinked in surprise before signing with my hands. ‘I beg your pardon?’

Before Ellen could continue her taunting, Caspian intervened, his tone firm. “That’s enough, Ellen. You have seen her, now you can go.” He turned to his beta. “Escort her to her room. I will need to speak with Aria alone. There is something important we need to discuss.”

Ellen snorted in defiance. “Whatever important matter you have with the mute, I’ll stay here and listen. I don’t need to be absent since I am your chosen Luna.”

I watched as Caspian’s jaw clenched, a silent battle of wills passing between them. Despite my own feelings of resentment towards him, I couldn’t help but wonder what next he had in mind to do.

“As your Alpha, I am commanding you to leave at this instance. And you will obey me,” As Caspian asserted his authority, telling Ellen to see herself out immediately, I observed with surprise and satisfaction.

Ellen’s irritation was obvious as she retorted, “You’re being this cold towards me because of her?”

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Caspian signed to his beta, who approached Ellen in a reassuring manner. “You’ll be needing some rest, Ellen, for the upcoming wedding. You’ve stressed yourself out lately,” he suggested gently.

Glaring defiantly from me to Caspian and back again, Ellen reluctantly allowed herself to be led out of the room by the beta. I could sense her instant hate emanating from every glance she cast my way.

As the door closed behind Ellen, leaving us alone, a tense silence descended upon the

room.

Caspian let out a heavy breath, his piercing blue eyes fixed on me as he quietly asked, “Why did you leave?”

For a moment, I stared at him as if he had lost his mind for even daring to pose such a question. Then, I signed, ‘Last time I checked, it’s none of your business where I go to.’

He began to speak again, his words carrying a weight of sincerity that made me want to vomit. “You had me worried, your absence affected me a whole d**n lot.”

I couldn’t help but feel a surge of revulsion at his words. This was not the Caspian I knew. The one who had callously rejected me, strangled me with his rejection, and belittled me for my condition. The one who had deemed me worthless.

Despite my hatred for him, a flicker of curiosity ignited within me. What had changed? What was driving this sudden display of vulnerability?

Caspian called my name slowly, the sound of it rolling off his tongue with an unfamiliar weight. His jaw clenched, a muscle ticking in his cheek as he struggled to find the right words.

I met his gaze, signing my response with a firmness that matched his intensity. ‘You shouldn’t have brought me back into this pack. I don’t need your help, and I will never

need it.’

“I couldn’t let you get killed. Da**it,” Caspian’s voice was strained, frustration evident in every word.

I manipulated the question, twisting his concern into an accusation. ‘Or you fought with Alpha Brent because you wanted to show him how powerful you are as an Alpha?”

Caspian’s eyes rose in their sockets, disbelief flashing across his face. “How could you even say that? I **g went there to save you!”

I couldn’t help but smirk, enjoying the sight of Caspian’s frustration. His bruises were

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stark against the fabric of his shirt, evidence of the physical toll he had endured for my sake. Part of me wanted to feel remorse, but I pushed it aside, unwilling to let any semblance of sympathy seep in.

Caspian’s voice rang out with authority as he continued to assert his claim over me. “You’re still an Omega in the LightShadow pack, Aria,” he stated firmly, his jaw clenched in determination.

I couldn’t help but snort in disbelief. ‘Don’t get in your head, Caspian. You have no ownership over me,’ I signed, my movements sharp with defiance.

Caspian stared at me in absolute disbelief, his expression a mix of frustration and confusion. “You’ve changed…so much,” he muttered, his voice tinged with sadness.

A smirk tugged at the corners of my mouth as I met his gaze head-on. ‘You can’t meet people the way you left them. Nothing stays the same. Change is the only constant thing,’ I signed, feeling a surge of satisfaction and boldness coursing through me.

Closing the distance between us, Caspian’s voice softened as he spoke. “It’s been two weeks, Aria. I understand that I hurt you with my actions. But you’re not like this.”

I offered him a friendly, non-threatening smile, my eyes holding a boldness that seemed to catch him off guard. ‘Not like how? I asked, my words laced with a hint of challenge, making him blink in surprise.