The Luna Awakening

Aria's POV

I turn around to see Mara walking towards us. "Mara... What the hell is she doing here?" I mutter under my breath, but Lucien turns to flash me a stare.

"Mara is family, Aria, you don't need to be told that, or do you?" he says and walks away to welcome her. She closes in on him and stops right in front of him. His arms encircle her waist while he plants a peck on her cheek.

She blushes at the gesture, but it soon fades as her gaze lands on me. Way to go. Now she isn't going to let me hear the last of it after I crashed her party. They start making their way towards me, and I excuse myself to another part of the training ground.

I can't even imagine putting up with her. Ugh, she's so impossible. Sparring is my worst thing to do, but I'm in for something to keep my mind occupied. My eyes fall on a wooden staff, and I pick it up to practice sparring.

I step forward, spinning the staff with both hands, lunging it in all directions while pretending to block attacks. I duck my head as though someone is sending a spear over it, all in one swift move. Just then Adrian makes his way back to the training ground. He greets Mara and pulls Lucien away in a bid to tend to something important.

Mara moves her gaze towards me and begins walking in my direction. As she closes in on me, I remain focused on training.

She stops at my back, applauding as she utters, "Wow. Way to go, party wrecker. Such an impressive move you've got there." I pause at her words. Party wrecker. Now that's the height of it. Someone needs to call her out on her BS, and if no one is going to, then I am.

I whirl in her direction and meet her cold gaze. I know that look all too well, but sadly it doesn't scare me a bit. I push my staff onto the ground, pinning it in one place while my fingers encircle it.

"Party wrecker," I sigh. "You really think I'd sabotage your party on purpose?"

She picks up a staff beside her and directs its end at me. "Then what does it look like? Huh. You tell me, since you seem to know more than me." She replies with raised brows.

I push the end of her staff away with my hand. "Mara, I don't have all the time in the world for this. I was busy before you interrupted me. So if you don't mind, run along." I pick up my staff to return to training. But Mara does something unbelievable; she lifts her staff to hit against mine.

Shocked, I pause, my face drenched in anger. I grab hold of her staff, my knuckles white around it as I try to dislodge it from her hand, but she doesn't budge, fastening her grip around it.

"Have you lost it already?" I ask, my tone cutting through the air.

She smirks and dislodges the staff from my grip instead. "You bet I have. And you just wait and see how I ruin your big day tomorrow. I bet you can't tell what's coming for you." Her eyes widen, her breathing heavy against my skin. "You messed with the wrong person, Aria. You weak Omega." She proceeds to take her leave, but I pull her by her clothe.

My heart pounding, pupils dilating, knuckles white around her fabric. She spins around, and I point my staff directly at her.

"You think you've got what it takes? I dare you, Mara. I might be that weak Omega to you, but I bet you I don't take threats like this lightly."

She frees herself from my grip and tries to speak, but I cut her off before she can even utter a word.

"You better brace yourself, 'cause I'm not letting you have your way. Not so easily." My gaze pierces into her, and she is too surprised to respond. She wasn't expecting this side of me, and I really don't care what she's thinking right now. I launch my staff onto the ground and begin walking away from her.

As I close in on the exit, she lets out a mocking laugh and fires back, "Run away, you scary little wolf. Ooooh, I'm so scared." She quivers in false fear, her voice rimmed with mockery. I bite the inside of my lip to suppress my anger while making my way out without looking back.

On my way, I encounter Lucien and Adrian making their way back. Lucien flashes me a confused look as he approaches. "Where are you heading off to so early?" he says.

I suck in a breath and let it out at the same time, trying to calm myself in order not to transfer aggression. Once my head suddenly feels lighter, I reply, "I promised to watch Raymond practice, so I should be there." I observe his mood shift; his face suddenly wears a frown, which he tries to conceal with a quick, light smile.

Lucien also plays basketball. He's on the opposite team from Raymond. I know it sounds absurd, but I've never made an attempt to watch him practice. Shocking, considering the fact he's my brother-but it's not like he ever involves me in that part of his life either.

I move past them to make it in time for Raymond's practice. I arrive at the college basketball court, where the practice is taking place. As I go down the stairs to help myself to a seat, I sigh in relief, realizing I really need a breath of fresh air. And this practice works well. I spot Chloe already on standby. I draw closer to her, exchanging hugs and warm greetings.

Practice begins, and we settle into a seat, watching with keen interest as everyone on the team displays their incredible skill on the court. As the practice progressed, Chloe and I show our support by waving foam fingers in the air.

As they continue practicing, the coach draws in their attention by blowing his whistle. "Time out, boys. Take a quick break, then we'll continue," he says, and they halt their practice.

Raymond moves towards Chloe and me, seated in the spectators' section of the court. We smile, waving at him with the foam fingers, while he smiles back.

He approaches us and collapses into a nearby seat. His hand reaches into a cooler carrying refreshments like carbonated drinks and water.

He grabs a bottle of water, twists off the cap, and drenches his face with it before gulping down the remnants.

He lets out a heavy sigh and finally finds his voice. "Hi, girls. Glad you could make it," he says, exhausted, his hands dangling weightless by the sides of his seat.

"Anytime," Chloe and I chorus together. We stare at each other, smiling at the unison in our words.

"Jinx," Chloe blurts out, and we both simultaneously point to each other. "I said that first," she says and cuts my finger with hers, while we all giggle at the same time.

Just then Drake passes by and winks in Chloe's direction. She blushes. My eyes move fast, catching the drama from Drake and then back to Chloe. Raymond witnesses the scene as well, making us both let out a chuckle.

I spin in Raymond's direction,"Raymond," I say while he looks at me with a wide smile spread on his face.

"Are you thinking what I'm thinking?" I tease and he readjusts into his seat.

He replies, "You bet I am," Chloe nudges our shoulders in a playful manner, still blushing like she has just seen her prince charming.

Raymond doesn't stop there but proceeds to tease further.

"Tell us, Chloe, what is this chemistry I sense building up between you and Drake?"

I nod in agreement. "Yes, Chloe, please tell us."