Asher's presence in their small cottage was like a sudden storm, intense and unsettling. Aria's heart was racing as she met his gaze, her mind whirling with questions. What did he mean by "destiny"? And how did he know her name?
Luna sat down beside Aria, her eyes fixed warily on Asher. "So, what do you want to talk to Aria about?" she asked, her voice firm.
Asher's gaze didn't waver from Aria's. "I think it's better if I speak with her alone," he said, his voice low and husky.
Luna's eyes flashed with refusal, but Aria placed a hand on her arm. "It's okay, Luna. I want to hear what he has to say."
Luna hesitated, then nodded reluctantly. "I'll be right outside if you need me," she said, getting up and leaving the room.
The silence that followed was oppressive, heavy with unspoken words. Aria felt like she was sitting on the edge of a precipice, staring into an abyss of unknowns.
Asher leaned forward, his eyes burning with an inner intensity. "Aria, you're in danger," he said, his voice low and urgent. "You're not safe here."
Aria's heart skipped a beat. "What do you mean? I'm safe with my sister."
Asher's expression was grim. "You're not who you think you are, Aria. You're more than just a young woman living in a small town. You have a legacy, a destiny that you're meant to fulfill."
Aria's mind reeled as she tried to process his words. "What are you talking about?"
Asher took a deep breath. "You're a direct descendant of the ancient Lycan pack. Your ancestors were powerful alphas, rulers of the pack. But there's a dark force that's been hunting your family for generations, trying to wipe out the Lycan bloodline."
Aria felt like she'd been punched in the gut. Lycan? Pack? Alpha? What was he talking about? She was just a normal girl from a small town, with a sister and a mom who loved her. This was all just some wild fantasy.
But Asher's words sparked something deep within her, a primal response that made her feel like he was telling the truth. She thought back to the dreams, the howling wolves, and the strange sensations that had been plaguing her.
"Why are you telling me this?" Aria asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
Asher's eyes locked onto hers. "Because you're in danger, Aria. The dark force that's been hunting your family has found you. You need to come with me if you want to stay alive."
Aria's mind was racing. She didn't know what to believe or who to trust. But something about Asher's words resonated deep within her. She felt a spark of fear mixed with excitement, a sense that her life was about to change in ways she couldn't even imagine.
Just then, Luna burst into the room. "Aria, I don't like this. He's not telling us the truth," she said, her eyes flashing with anger.
Asher stood up, his eyes never leaving Aria's. "I understand your concerns, Luna. But I assure you, I'm here to help Aria. She's in grave danger, and I'm the only one who can protect her."
Aria felt torn. Part of her wanted to trust Asher, to believe that he was telling the truth. But another part of her was scared, unsure of what was happening or who to trust.
"I need time to think," Aria said finally, her voice firm.
Asher nodded. "I understand. But please, Aria, don't take too long. Time is running out."
With that, he turned and left the cottage, leaving Aria and Luna alone in the silence.
Luna sat down beside Aria, her eyes filled with concern. "Aria, what do you think? Do you believe him?"
Aria shook her head. "I don't know, Luna. But I think we need to find out more about what's going on. Can you help me research this Lycan stuff?"
Luna nodded, determination etched on her face. "I'll do whatever it takes to keep you safe, Aria. We'll get to the bottom of this, together."
As they hugged, Aria felt a sense of resolve wash over her. She was ready to face whatever lay ahead, as long as she had her sister by her side.
But little did they know, their lives were about to take a dramatic turn, one that would change them forever...