Aria POV
After the scene at the gym earlier, my mind was already heavy, but coming here... I was hoping at least the salon would give me peace. A little calm. A little breath away from Damon and his shadow, Selene.
Maybe a new hair, light makeup... pretend all is well even when the world keeps trying to break me.
Mira ran to me the moment I walked in.
"Aria baby girl, finally!" she smiled warmly. "Where have you been hiding?"
I gave a tired smile. "Life happened."
"Sit. Let me finish up this hair quickly. You look like you need pampering."
I sat and accepted the coffee she handed me. Even the smell alone felt comforting. I opened a hair magazine and tried to relax, allowing myself to breathe. Six long months since I sat here. Six months of carrying a broken heart in silence. Six months of pretending like everything was fine simply because the title Luna demanded it.
Maybe looking good again would remind me I am more than pain.
The bell above the salon door jingled. I didn't bother turning. But then I heard that voice.
Sweet, polished, poisonous.
"Who is here?"
I stiffened.
Selene.
And then the scent hit, Damon's. Strong. Close. My stomach tightened sharply. The pain was instant, raw, like someone carved into my chest with a hot knife.
I slowly turned.
There she was. Beautiful like always. Fake smile. Fake innocence. Holding Damon's hand with her fingers wrapped around his like she owned every part of him.
And maybe... she did.
Damon didn't look at me. Didn't even blink in my direction. He just walked in like nothing mattered, like I wasn't sitting right there watching my world crumble quietly for the hundredth time.
"Welcome, ma'am," Mira greeted politely.
Selene smiled proudly, chin up like she was entering her palace.
"I want my hair done and I want the full spa package. Now."
Mira froze.
"Uhm... we already have someone before you..."
Her eyes cut to me. Sharp. Vicious.
And she smirked.
"Oh... it's you."
Her voice dripped mockery.
"Omega, why do you keep forcing yourself into places you don't belong? Trying to look like us won't change what you are."
I didn't look up from my magazine. I just took a calm sip of coffee.
Pretending.
Holding myself together.
If I meet her eyes, I might break.
"And what makes you think I can't afford it?" My voice came out soft but firm.
She let out a low laugh.
"Because we all know the truth, omega. Without the Alpha's generosity, you wouldn't even be able to step foot in places like this."
Her hand slid into Damon's shirt, brushing his chest. He didn't stop her. He didn't even blink.
"And this attitude..." her eyes scanned me, slow and judging, "trying to act classy, who are you fooling?"
She turned to Mira with a cold stare.
"You have two minutes. Attend to me first. I don't wait."
Mira flinched. "But..."
"Do what she wants."
Damon's voice cut through the room.
Flat. Cold. Final.
Just like that.
No hesitation.
No defense.
No loyalty.
His words sliced through my chest deeper than claws ever could.
"Yes, Alpha..." Mira whispered.
I stood slowly, movements stiff, numb. I didn't say a word. I didn't look at him. I didn't look at her.
If I open my mouth now, I will break.
Right here in front of everyone.
I placed the magazine down gently. Almost too gently. The quiet kind of pain hurts the most.
"Poor omega," Selene said loudly just as I reached the door.
Even her laugh echoed inside me.
I didn't turn.
I didn't give her the satisfaction.
But my chest felt like it was collapsing inside itself.
My head felt heavy as I stepped outside.
Breathing felt strange.
Slow. Tight.
I didn't walk fast, yet the world around me blurred. The air felt thick, like I was dragging my lungs through mud. My heartbeat thudded painfully in my ears.
Why does it hurt like this?
Is this what happens when a mate bond breaks slowly?
Piece by piece instead of one cut?
Every step toward the pack house felt heavier. Like gravity hated me.
My foot touched the first step of the pack house stairs, and suddenly the ground shifted under me.
A wave of dizziness hit hard.
I grabbed the wall, breathing sharp, shaky.
My vision swayed.
My fingertips tingled.
No... no no no... why am I feeling like this?
I swallowed hard and forced my legs forward.
One step.
Then another.
My hand trembled on the door handle when I reached my room, and I pushed it shut behind me with weak force.
Silence dropped.
Finally.
I leaned back on the door, sliding down a little. I pressed my hand against my chest, breathing like I just ran miles. Something wasn't right inside me.
It wasn't sadness anymore.
It wasn't heartbreak anymore.
This felt... wrong.
Like something dark was crawling through my veins.
I tried to pull off my hoodie but my fingers shook too much. Tears stung my eyes, not because of Damon, not because of Selene, but because I suddenly felt like I was losing control of my own body.
My knees buckled.
My vision blurred again, the room spinning in circles.
Then,
BAM!
My door swung open.
A voice gasped, horrified, trembling:
"Luna...! Luna what...what is wrong with your eyes?!"
Eyes?
What about my eyes?
I tried to speak but no sound came.
The world turned dark like someone blew out the last candle inside me.
And I fell.
Not just to the floor,
but into a darkness that felt like it wanted to keep me.
