CHAPTER 70: CHAPTER 70

Kael’s POV.

The car roared through the forest, the road bumpy, the tires screeching, my heart pounding in my chest like a drum.

I gripped the seat, my knuckles white, my ash-gray shirt tight, my side burning from the unhealing wound, but the pain was nothing compared to my fear for Aria.

Brian’s words, "They last saw her vehicle near the riverbank" echoed in my head, my mind spinning with images of Aria, her fear of water, what if she had fallen into the water?

My wolf, Zeus, roared, his panic loud, urging me to move faster, to save her. "Drive faster!" I shouted, my voice rough, my eyes burning into Brian, his hands tight on the wheel, his face pale, the forest blurring past, the air thick with dust.

"Alpha, I’m going as fast as I can!" Brian said, his voice tense, his eyes flicking to me, his armor clinking as the car jolted.

My heart raced, my breath short, my anger at Celeste, at Torin, at myself for letting Aria go with them, boiling.

Celeste’s lie, hiding her schemes, cut me deep, her grin, her hate for my Luna, a blade in my chest.

The riverbank was close, the air growing damp, the smell of water sharp, my fear spiking, my hands shaking, Zeus growling, his strength surging, pushing me to act.

We skidded to a stop, gravel flying, the riverbank crowded with people, their faces scared, their eyes fixed on the water, their whispers loud but meaningless.

I climbed out, my boots slamming the ground, my heart racing, my eyes scanning the crowd, searching for Aria, her silver hair, her blue dress, her soft smile.

My chest tightened, my fear overwhelming, my wound throbbing, but I didn’t care, my only thought her safety.

The river rushed, dark and fast, its surface glinting in the moonlight, my heart sinking, my mind screaming she was in there.

I spun in circles, my eyes wild, their voices a blur, their words inaudible, my heart begging to see my Luna, to hold her, to know she was alive.

Brian pushed through the crowd, his voice sharp, grabbing a man’s arm, his face grim. "Why’s everyone staring at the river?" he asked, his eyes narrow, his hand tight. The man’s face paled, his voice shaky, his hands waving.

"The Luna’s vehicle went in," he said, pointing at the water, his eyes wide. "It sank fast."

My heart stopped, my breath gone, a sharp ding ringing in my head, my fear exploding, Zeus roaring, his panic blinding.

Aria, trapped, drowning, alone. My chest heaved, my eyes locked on the river, its current cruel, its depths dark.

"My Luna!" I gasped, my voice breaking, my body moving before I could think, my boots slipping on the muddy bank.

I jumped, the water cold, shocking, swallowing me, my arms slicing through, my heart racing, my fear for Aria driving me.

Brian shouted, his voice faint, trying to stop me, but I didn’t hear, didn’t care, my only thought her.

The river pulled, its current strong, my wound burning, my lungs tight, but I swam deeper, my eyes straining in the murky water, my hands reaching, searching for the car, for her.

I saw it, the car sinking, its black frame faint, bubbles rising, my heart pounding, my fear choking me.

I swam closer, my arms burning, my legs kicking, the water heavy, my eyes locked on the window. Aria was inside, her silver hair floating, her body still, her eyes closed, her seatbelt tight.

My heart broke, my fear overwhelming, my voice yelling her name, muffled by the water, my hands pounding the glass, my strength fading but my will fierce.

"Luna!" I screamed, my voice lost, my hands clawing at the door, the lock stuck, the car sinking deeper, the river cold, my lungs burning.

I yanked, my muscles straining, my wound screaming, my hands slipping, but I didn’t stop, my love for her stronger than the water, than my pain.

The door gave, creaking open, water rushing in, my hands grabbing her, her body limp, her face pale.

My heart raced, my fear spiking, my arms wrapping around her, pulling her free, the seatbelt cutting my fingers, my strength fading.

I kicked hard, my legs heavy, my lungs empty, swimming up, the surface far, my vision blurry, Zeus roaring, his strength pushing me, my love for Aria keeping me alive.

We broke the surface, the air cold, my gasps loud, my arms tight around her, her body still, her breath gone.

I swam to the bank, my heart pounding, my wound bleeding, my strength gone, the crowd shouting, their hands reaching.

I climbed out, my boots slipping, my body shaking, laying Aria on the grass, her dress soaked, her face pale, her chest still. "Luna!" I shouted, my voice breaking, my hands on her face, her skin cold, my tears falling, my heart begging her to wake.

I pressed her chest, my hands shaking, my breath short, my fear crushing, Zeus whining, his love for her loud. She didn’t move, didn’t respond, my heart breaking, my fear choking me.

I looked up, my eyes wild, catching Torin running, his figure darting through the crowd, his face guilty, his steps quick.

My anger exploded, my voice booming. "Catch him!" I growled, my eyes burning at Brian, my hand pointing, my rage hot.

Brian nodded, his armor clinking, sprinting after Torin, the crowd parting, their gasps loud. My heart raced, my anger at Torin, at Celeste, blinding, knowing they planned this, her scheme to kill my Luna clear.

I scooped Aria up, her body limp, her weight heavy, my heart pounding, my tears falling. I carried her to the car, my boots slipping, my wound burning, my arms shaking but strong, Zeus growling, his strength holding me up.

I laid her in the back, her head on my lap, my hands brushing her hair, my voice whispering, "Stay with me, Luna." Brian returned, his face grim, Torin gone, but I didn’t care, my focus on Aria, her breath faint, her life slipping.

"Drive!" I shouted, my voice rough, my eyes on her, the car lurching, the packhouse far, my heart racing.

The drive was fast, the road blurry, my hands holding Aria, my tears falling, my fear overwhelming. The packhouse loomed, its stone walls tall, guards rushing as we skidded to a stop, their eyes wide, their voices loud.

I carried Aria inside, my boots heavy, my heart breaking, maids gasping, their hands covering their mouths.

"Call the physician!" I commanded, my voice booming, my eyes burning, my arms tight around her, her body cold, my fear choking, Zeus whining, his love for her desperate.