CHAPTER 68: CHAPTER 68

Aria’s POV.

I sat in the back of the car, my hands gripping the seat, my heart pounding, my eyes darting to Celeste beside me. We had switched cars after arriving at the park. Liam got sick and I urged Brian to take him and Sonia back to the pack house, leaving Celeste and I alone with the new driver.

The air was warm, the windows open, the forest blurring past as we drove through the market town, gathering supplies for the Lunar Festival.

My blue dress clung to my skin, damp with sweat from a long, hectic day of shopping, piles of fabric for banners, baskets of food for the feast, candles for the rituals, all stuffed in the trunk.

My silver hair stuck to my neck, my wolf, Kyra, growling, her unease sharp, sensing my fear of Celeste, her green dress bright, her dark hair swaying, her grin sly and wicked.

I stayed cautious, my body tense, my hands busy with bags, keeping her at a distance, her mocking words from earlier, "Running off, Luna Celeste?" and her claim to be my maid burning in my mind.

My heart raced, my fear of her sinister plan, her knowledge of my true identity as Aria, not Celeste, a constant threat, my chest tight with worry.

The day dragged, my arms aching from carrying crates, my voice hoarse from haggling with vendors, their eyes curious, watching me as Luna Celeste, the pack judging my every move.

Celeste barely helped, her steps slow, her smile fake, her eyes glinting with something dark, making my anger flare, my patience thin.

I did most of the work, my hands sorting fabrics, checking lists, my heart heavy with the festival’s weight, Kael’s protectiveness, his fight with the elders, his anger at Seraphina, all pushing me to prove myself, to keep my secret safe.

Sonia and Liam were back at the packhouse, their trust in me grounding but heavy, my love for them mixing with my fear of failing.

Kyra whined, her strength urging me to stay alert, to watch Celeste, her schemes a shadow over every step.

Dusk fell, the sky orange, the air cooler, the market emptying, vendors packing up, their carts creaking. Celeste stopped, her boots scuffing the dirt, her voice sharp.

"I’m not going back to the packhouse," she said, her eyes meeting mine, her grin wide, her hands crossed. "I’ll head home." My heart lifted, relief washing over me, my anger easing, not wanting her near me, her hate, her threat to expose me, too much.

I nodded, my voice quick, my eyes avoiding hers.

"Fine," I said, my hands clenching a bag, my heart racing, glad to be rid of her, even if just for the night.

Celeste smirked, her steps light, turning away, her green dress fading into the crowd, her grin lingering in my mind, my fear whispering she was planning something, her begging Brian to be my maid too calculated.

I climbed into the car, my body tired, my dress wrinkled, sliding beside the new driver, a young guard named Torin, his face blank, his eyes focused on the road.

The engine rumbled, the car pulling away, the town fading, the forest thick, my heart still uneasy, Celeste’s absence a small relief but not enough to calm my fear.

The road was bumpy, the air dark, the trees tall, their shadows long. I leaned back, my hands twisting, my mind on Kael, his warm kiss, his worry for me, his fight to protect Sonia and Liam.

My heart ached, my love for him strong, but my fear of Celeste’s plan, the festival’s pressure, grew louder.

Suddenly, the car swerved, the tires screeching, the speed surging, the river ahead glinting in the moonlight.

My heart jumped, my breath catching, my eyes wide, Kyra roaring, sensing danger. "Torin, slow down!" I snapped, my voice loud, my hands gripping the seat, my body lurching as the car charged toward the river, its waters dark and fast.

He laughed, his voice cold, his eyes glinting, his face twisted. "You’re gonna die, Luna," he said, his words sharp, his laugh cruel.

My heart stopped, my fear exploding, my hands shaking, my mind spinning.

This was Celeste’s plan, her scheme, her way to destroy me. I screamed, my voice desperate, my hands clawing at the door.

"Turn the car!" I pleaded, my eyes burning, my heart racing, but he ignored me, his hand yanking the door open, the wind rushing in, his body jumping out, rolling onto the grass, his voice loud, fake, crying for help.

"Save the Luna!" he shouted, his tone panicked, his arms waving, acting innocent, like he hadn’t just tried to kill me.

My heart pounded, my breath short, my fear overwhelming, people on the road watching, their faces scared, their voices faint, too far to help.

The car sped faster, the river closer, my hands sweating, fumbling with the seatbelt, its clasp stuck, refusing to budge.

I yanked, my fingers slipping, my screams loud, my tears falling, my body trembling, knowing I couldn’t swim, the water my death.

"Help!" I cried, my voice breaking, my eyes darting to the crowd, their figures blurry, their fear clear, but the car was too fast, the river too close.

The vehicle hit the water, the splash loud, the cold shocking, the car sinking, the river flooding in, soaking my dress, my legs, my chest.

My heart raced, my lungs burning, my hands clawing at the seatbelt, the lock jammed, my strength fading.

I screamed, my voice muffled, the water rising, my vision darkening, my fear crushing, Kyra whining, her panic loud. I couldn’t die, not now, not with Kael waiting, Sonia and Liam needing me, my secret still at risk.

I pulled harder, my nails breaking, my tears mixing with the river, my body shaking, my breath gone.

The car sank deeper, the water cold, my head spinning, my consciousness slipping, my eyes heavy.

Through the blurry water, a figure appeared, a shadow moving fast, splashing into the river, swimming toward me.

My heart jumped, my hope flickering, my vision fading, my body weak. I reached out, my hands trembling, my eyes straining to see, but the darkness closed in, my lungs empty, my world fading, and I lost consciousness, the figure’s shape the last thing I saw.