Shadows Of The Pack (Aria and Knox)

Chapter One Hundred and Seven: The Dawn of a New Era

Aria stood by the window, her gaze fixed on the world outside. The battle had come and gone, leaving

its scars both visible and hidden. Malachi had been locked away, his wolf spirit dissipated, rendering

him powerless. It had been weeks since the celestial eclipse, and there had been no word from Antonio

or the hunters.

In the midst of it all, Liam's wounds were being treated, and he had confessed to his role in the chaos

that had unfolded. He had revealed Rebecca's part in the plot, exposing her treachery. Knox, fueled by

his fierce determination and the ruthless instincts of his wolf, had personally sought out the Alphas,

ensuring that they would remain within their respective packs for a very long time.

Aria couldn't help but let out a tired sigh. Her pup lay sleeping peacefully in the cradle, blissfully

unaware of the tumultuous events that had unfolded. She watched him, her heart heavy with the

knowledge of what had been taken away from him, from them. What she had taken away.

Knox's hand slipped around her waist, offering silent support. No words were needed as they both

simply stared out the window.

"Do you think he will hate me?" Aria's voice quivered with uncertainty.

Knox sighed, his eyes filled with tenderness. "He would never."

Aria continued, her voice trembling, "But I've taken so much from him. He will grow up and resent me.

He will be a werewolf without a—"

Knox gently turned her around, halting their silent contemplation. He placed a tender kiss on her lips

and wiped away the tears that had already begun to fall from her eyes. "He will love you," he

whispered, his voice filled with unwavering conviction.

Knox's gaze shifted to their pup, who slumbered peacefully. A small smile tugged at the corners of his

lips. "And we will love him.

He paused before he spoke again, "We still haven't decided on a name."

Aria was about to respond when an unexpected interruption came. Kira appeared at the entrance

panting from her hurried journey. She bowed her head respectfully before addressing the Alpha and

Luna.

"Alpha, Luna," she began, her voice tinged with urgency, "I was sent to find you."

Aria exchanged a glance with Knox, a sense of curiosity mingling with concern. "Why?" she inquired.

Kira hesitated for a moment before delivering her message. "The leader of the Order wishes to speak

with you."

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"You are a far way from the Order's chamber," Isolde remarked.

He turned to regard her, his expression composed. "I could say the exact same thing about you."

Silence hung in the room for a moment, a tense pause before Isolde broke it. Her voice was tinged with

accusation as she voiced her frustrations. "Why didn't the Order intervene? Malachi's hate started with

us. Yet you and the rest of the members stood and did nothing."

Alaric sighed, his demeanor remaining calm despite the tension in the room. "It was in the Order's best

interest that we did not involve ourselves. When the time was right, we would have."

Isolde scoffed, her arms folding defensively. "When the time was right? What if it had been too late by

then?"

"I didn't come here to argue with you," Alaric replied evenly.

She pressed on, her eyes determined. "Then what are you doing here?"

"I'm here to thank the Alpha and Luna for the sacrifice they made," Alaric explained.

Isolde's skepticism remained evident as she countered, "They do not need your thanks. They only

fought for what was right, just like you and the other members of the Order should have."

"Why don't they tell me themselves?" Alaric questioned, his gaze shifting towards the entrance.

Aria entered the room, her presence commanding as she addressed Alaric directly. "I would gladly,"

she stated firmly, her eyes unwavering. "Like Isolde said, we do not need your thanks."

Alaric's attention turned to Knox, who echoed Aria's sentiment. "You heard my mate."

Aria continued, her voice tinged with disappointment, "I don't know much about you or the ancient

ways, but if you call yourself the Order, then you should have intervened when the ancient wolf was

upsetting that balance. Then maybe my son would still have his wolf."

Alaric shook his head, a sense of regret in his eyes. "It was not in our place."

Knox sighed, his frustration evident despite his attempts to remain composed. "We appreciate you

coming here."

Alaric nodded and then turned to leave, acknowledging the Alpha and Luna. "It's time to leave, Isolde."

Isolde, however, had a different decision in mind. She spoke with determination, her gaze fixed on

Knox. "I have decided to stay in the Nightshade pack, if their Alpha would have me." She awaited his

response, and Knox nodded in acceptance.

Suddenly dust swirled around the room. Isolde closed her eyes, "Goodbye, Alaric."

When the dust settled and cleared, Alaric was gone.

Silence hung in the room once more, the air thick with anticipation, until the panting voice of Kira

pierced through, breaking the quietude. All eyes turned to her as she spoke, her words tinged with a

hint of humor.

"Alpha, Luna," Kira began, her tone slightly sarcastic. "When I offered to be the pack's messenger, I

thought I would get to deliver the juiciest of news, but everyone just wants to—"

Before she could finish her sentence, Knox and Aria cut her off with a firm "Kira."

She paused, realizing her teasing was ill-timed. "Sorry. Your presence is needed at the pack entrance.

Sophia, Shana, Melody, Seraphina, Ryder, Jacob, Lydia, Mark, Tyler."

Once again, she began to ramble, and Knox and Aria repeated her name, this time more sternly. "Kira."

"Sorry," she replied, her tone contrite. "Pack entrance. Now. Presence needed."

And with that, she fell to the ground.

Aria couldn't help but laugh softly as they stepped over Kira to leave. "You are a piece of work, Kira."

Knox turned to Isolde, offering her a warm smile. "I believe it is pack business, and you are a member

of the pack now."

Isolde returned the smile and followed them, a sense of belonging settling in her heart.

As they reached the pack entrance, Aria immediately went to her closest she-wolves. Shana was the

first to wrap her arms around her, followed by Melody, Sophia, and the others. With a warm smile,

Seraphina handed Aria her precious pup.

Meanwhile, Knox had approached the group of men who had sought their audience. His brow furrowed

as he took in their appearance. The man in the middle, who stood with an air of leadership, introduced

himself as Elijah. He explained their intentions and desires, and Knox's gaze shifted to Nicholas for

confirmation.

Elijah nodded at Nicholas before speaking. "We left Antonio, and we were not part of the battle.

Nicholas was right. We shouldn't dwell on the hate within us. It is time for us to move forward, and we

would be honored if you would accept us as part of your pack. We believe that humans and

werewolves can coexist, and we want to prove it."

Knox took a moment to absorb their words. It was a proposition that held the potential for significant

change within the Nightshade pack. He glanced at Aria, who held their newborn pup in her arms, her

expression one of thoughtful consideration.

A gentle tug in his head and he knew the answer he had to give.

Aria chuckled as Seraphina commented, "You're telling him he had better say yes, right?"

"I'm his voice of reason," Aria replied with a grin.

Before Seraphina could continue, her attention was drawn to Aria's mark, which had started to glow. A

gasp swept through the assembled wolves and humans as a bright light emanated from the mark,

taking on a swirling form that materialized into the Moon Goddess herself. She floated above them, her

presence ethereal and awe-inspiring.

The Moon Goddess's gaze locked onto Aria, and she spoke with warmth and pride, "My child." Then

her eyes shifted to Knox, "My chosen Alpha."

The Moon Goddess's words resonated with everyone present, humans and werewolves alike,"I never

thought I would see the day when humans and werewolves would stand together but you have all

made it possible."

With a sense of maternal affection, the Moon Goddess turned her attention to the newborn pup in Aria's

arms. "I think I have something that belongs to him." She extended a finger, touching the pup's

forehead. In response, the child let out a loud cry, and his eyes transitioned from their natural hue to

blackness.

Aria gasped in amazement. "You returned his wolf spirit."

The Moon Goddess smiled and gently touched the pup's wrist and a crescent mark was left in its place.

"He will be the purest of them."

With a final blessing, the Moon Goddess ascended into the air and addressed Isolde with gratitude.

"Thank you, old one." Then, as suddenly as she had appeared, she vanished.

Knox's gaze remained fixed on the child, and with a sense of reverence, he whispered a name that

held profound meaning, "Eirene. It means—"

"Unifier." Aria completed.

Knox's eyes shone with a newfound determination as he turned to the assembled crowd. He raised his

voice, declaring, "We are all one."