The Luna's Perfect Redemption

ONE YEAR LATER.

The night was filled with a faint scent of pine and lavender. Aria stood before the mirror,tying the delicate black ribbon of her mask. She inhaled a deep breath, letting the cool breeze soothe he neck as she assessed her overall outlook. The mask was quite the elegant piece, it was crafted with delicate filigree that framed her face, it's simplicity was offset by the gentle shimmer of moonstone accents.

Tonight was the celebration of the Eclipse flame, it was a sacred full moon bonfire that fostered unity and renewal hence the masks on. The ceremony was an ancient tradition that marked the unity of the pack members despite their different features. The moon only recognized the pack in itself and not the diversity of the people. But for Aria, it was way more than an ancient tradition for werewolves, it was her debut into the Pack's social life after a year of solitude and healing.

A soft rap on the door interrupted her thoughts and the door burst before she could send in a reply. There were only a few people who would dare to do that and seeing the auburn haired lady waltzing into her room, she wasn't surprised.

Cassia was her childhood friend and the Alpha's pampers young sister. They had been friends till they became teenagers and Aria ad introduced Elara into their friendship circle though Cassia was not a fan. Aria liked to believe it was due to the vast difference between Cassia's personality and that of Elara, although Cassia believed otherwise. Cassia was a whirlwind of energy,just as fiery as her hair.

"Aria, I would have you know that you are not backing out on me tonight! Cassia declared, her voice a mix of authority and mischief.

Aria turned, her lips quirked up in a smile. " I wasn't planning to. See? I'm ready." She gestured to her dress. Its flowing material accentuating her figure while still being modest enough for her taste.

Cassia's eyes twinkled as she narrowed them, she crossed her arms, "You have been holed up in that room of yours long enough. Tonight you are definitely stepping out of that shell and I won't take a no for an answer."

Cassia grabbed Aria's hand before she could reply and pulled her towards the door. " The Eclipse flame waits for no one, my dear , and you, my cute Werewolf are going to sparkle under the moon's glow!"

As the two friends approached the gathering, the bonfire flames cackled and danced against the twilight sky. The sound of laughter, music and the rumble of excited chatter permeated the air.

Aria took a half at the edge of the clearing, her breath hitching. The scene before he was vibrant, alive and overwhelming. She hadn't realized how much she distanced herself from such vibrant events and moments like this -. Moments that pulsed with life and possibility.

"Breathe," Cassie whispered, squeezing her hand. "You have got this, WE have got this, okay?"

Aria nodded, her gaze sweeping across the gathering, she was relieved that it was a masked party after all. That way she could easily blend into the crowd.

Cassia ever perceptive, gave her a playful nudge, "Let's mingle, or better yet, let's dance!"

"I'll catch up," Aria replied softly, her chest tightening with the sudden rush of emotions. "I'll just need a moment."

Cassia frowned but relented, "Don't disappear entirely. I'd find you later, hmm?" With a final wink at Aria, Cassia disappeared into the crowd leaving Aria alone with her thoughts.

The Bustle and the vibrant energy of the ceremony felt like too much, pressing against her chest and filing her lungs until she could barely breathe. She needed air-space.

Without thinking, she stepped away from the bonfire's glow and into the shadows of the forest that bordered the clearing. The cool, quiet embrace of trees was quiet and welcoming but as she moved deeper into the dark, she collided with someone.

"Sorry-" she began, stepping back only to freeze when the man before her removed his mask.

Ethan.

Her heart stuttered in her chest as recognition dawned on her. He looked-just as she remembered, though his once soft expression was sharper now, his golden eyes where almost ready and had a weird and foreign going to them.

Standing just behind him and clutching Ethan's arm with practiced air of possessiveness was Elara, Her "Friend." She was a vision in white, her mask adorned with pearls and her lips curled into a small knowing smile.

It was the first time she was seeing these two since the rejection incident a year ago. She had become a laughing stock in the pack behind closed doors and topic of gossip over wine and they had gotten bound by the pack priestess and even got married. She heard they were so lovestruck but that had just been rumors. Seeing them after so long was different.

"Aria," Ethan said, his voice low and almost hesitant.

For a moment, the world around her seemed to fall away, leaving only the three of them in the suffocating silence.

Elara's gaze flickered over Aria, her eyes gleaming with something akin to satisfaction. "It's been a while hasn't it?" She said sweetly, though her words carried and undercurrent that made Aria's wolf bristle.

Aria took a step back, her breath shallow, but she forced herself to stand tall. "Indeed, It has." She had thought that she was long over the situation but now looking at Elara's face, Aria wondered why she never saw through Elara's facade for so long.

Ethan wanted to say more but Elara tightened her grip on his arm, her expression softening with a look of bashfulness as she gazed up at him, "Darling, we should head back. People will be wondering where you are."

Aria looked at this current display of affection and it became clear to her; she was not totally over the betrayal, but she was over tbe feeling of yearning towards Ethan. Despite the bond that came with mating, she had been attached to Ethan since young, it was so hard to shut him out of her heart and looking at both of them now she only felt they were quite a match for each other.

A cheat and a hypocrite? The match made by the moon indeed.

"You should enjoy the gathering, I will head out first." Aria's voice was alienated and polite. She turned on her heel and moved to te opposite direction. She couldn't enjoy that side of the forest due to the lingering scents of those two who had clearly been going at it in the dark before she arrived.

Sigh. Now she had to go back to the bustling clearing.

As the glow of the bonfire enclosed, she held a cold smile on her lips. She was finally ready to take on her life right where she had left it at when she went off to sulk. She had finally gotten a certain sense of closure, no matter how weird it was.