Mute

Chapter 26

Aria’s POV.

Elijah emerged from the crowd, his imposing figure cutting through the sea of astonished faces. With a firm yet gentle grip, he raised my hand high into the air. “We have our winner!” he announced, his voice booming with authority.

The crowd erupted into cheers and applause once more, a roar that sounded off the surrounding trees.

They had all underestimated me, seen me as just the mute maid, but now I stood before them victorious. The feeling was overwhelming, a mixture of pride and disbelief washing over me.

Elijah led me toward Caspian, who stood at the head of the assembly, the crowd’s jubilation still reverberating around us.

As we moved closer, my gaze was inexplicably drawn to Ellen, Caspian’s chosen Luna. Her eyes were cold, filled with jealousy that made me gulp uncomfortably. She glared at me as if my victory was a personal affront to her, a threat to her standing.

I shifted my focus to Caspian, and to my surprise, he was smiling–a genuine, warm smile that I had never seen directed at me before. It was disconcerting. Maybe this unexpected warmth was the source of Ellen’s fury.

Caspian stepped forward, his eyes gleaming with approval. “Congratulations, Aria,” he said, his voice steady and sincere. “You have proven yourself today.”

I nodded in acknowledgment, my feelings towards him still conflicted. Despite the lingering resentment I harbored, there was something undeniably validating about his words.

Caspian continued, presenting me with the prize. “For your victory, you have earned a week’s stay

at the finest resort in our territory and a substantial sum of gold.” He handed me a small, ornate box and a scroll. The box contained gold coins, and the scroll was a certificate for the resort stay.

As I held the prize in my hands, the reality of what this meant began to sink in. This wasn’t just a reward; it was a key to a new life. No longer would I be confined to the role of a maid. I could live as an equal within the pack. It was a dream I had scarcely allowed myself to believe in.

The crowd’s whispers grew louder, turning into excited chatter. They were talking about.

about how I wouldn’t be a maid anymore. The realization filled me with a sense of

me,

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pride and accomplishment that I had never felt before

Elijah, sull holding my hand aloft, addressed the crowd “Today, Aria has shown us that strength and determination come in many forms. Let us celebrate her victory

The cheers intensified, the crowd’s energy a tangible force. But amidst the celebration, my eyes caught sight of Ellen again. Her expression had darkened further, her lips pressed into a thin line of fury and jealousy could feel the weight of her glare, a silent but obvious reminder that not everyone was pleased with my victory.

As I tumed back to Caspian, I noticed he was still smiling, his eyes shining with an emotion I couldn’t quite place. Was it pride? Admiration? It was new and unsettling. But no matter what he felt, it didn’t change my feelings towards him. He had wronged me too deeply, and I wasn’t ready to forgive or forget.

“Enjoy your reward, Aria,” Caspian said, his voice softer now, almost personal. “You’ve earned it.

I nodded again, managing a small smile. “Thank you, I signed, knowing he wouldn’t understand but feeling the need to express it anyway.

The crowd continued to cheer, their applause was a validation of my victory. As I stood there, the reality of my new status began to take hold. I had proven myself, not just to the pack but to myself. I was no longer just the mute maid. I was a victor, a warrior in my own right, and no one could take that away from me.

The cheers and applause still rang around me, a triumph that seemed almost surreal. Despite the victory, the reality of my situation was still grounded in the life I had. known for so long. As a maid who had terved in the Alpha’s castle nearly all my life, I knew the tradition that awaited me. Even with my newfound freedom, I was required to remain at the castle for two more weeks before I could truly move on. It was the customary transition period for all maids who earned their freedom.

Elijah stepped forward again, lifting his voice to the crowd. “Let us not forget that Aria’s victory marks the beginning of a new chapter for her. She will remain with us for the next two weeks, as is our tradition, to transition from her duties and prepare for her new life”

The crowd murmured in agreement, and I caught snippets of conversations around me. Some were excited about my potential, while others seemed to struggle with the idea of a maid rising to such prominence.

“Can you believe it? An Omega winning the race,” one woman whispered to her companion, her tone a mix of surprise and skepticism.

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“She’s got more spirit than I gave her credit for,” a man replied, nodding thoughtfully. “Maybe there’s more to her than we thought.

But amidst the mixed reactions, one voice rang out clearly. “You did it, Aria!” The young boy, no older than twelve, shouted from the front of the crowd, his face beaming with pride. “I knew you could!”

I turned to him, my heart swelling with gratitude. His enthusiasm was firm, and it warmed my heart to know that at least one person believed in me without doubts or skepticism.

“Thank you,” I mouthed, hoping he understood the depth of my appreciation.

“See, I told you she was fast,” he declared to a group of nearby adults, his tone triumphant. “Nobody believed me, but I knew she had it in her!”

“All right, Tommy, we get it, one of the adults said, ruffling the boy’s hair with a chuckle. “You were right, and we’re all very proud of Aria.”

I smiled at Tommy, feeling a surge of hope. In that moment, his unwavering belief in me felt like a beacon of light, cutting through the doubt and disbelief that had surrounded me for so long.

As the crowd began to disperse, still buzzing with the excitement of the event, Caspian approached me again. “Aria,” he said, his voice low and private, “if you need anything

during these next two weeks, do not hesitate to ask. You’d more than just a

prize today; you’ve earned my respect.”

I looked at him, searching for any hint of insincerity, but found none. Still, my feelings towards him were conflicted. Thank you, I signed again, more out of habit than expectation that he would understand.

Then, as if sensing the need for a final celebratory note, Caspian raised his voice to address the entire pack. “To honor Aria’s victory and the spirit of our pack, I declare a 24–hour celebration! Let the festivities begin!

A roar of approval swept through the crowd, the pack’s energy shifting from mere excitement to jubilant celebration. Music began to play, and I saw food and drink being brought out. The pack members‘ faces lit up with joy, and the mood was infectious.

Elijah guided me back towards the castle, and as we walked, I couldn’t help but feel a relief and wonder. The next two weeks would be a test, a final chapter in the life I was leaving behind. And then, figally, I would be free to start anew, no longer just the mute maid but a member of the pack with a future of my own design.

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Chapter 26

As we neared the castle, I glanced back one last time at Caspian. He stood there, still watching me, his expression tho

ughtful. Ellen was beside him, her icy glare burning