Chapter Three: Walking Back In
1477 Words
Aariana saw the gates before the guards saw her.
Voss territory rose beyond the hills, exactly as she remembered it.
The same black stone walls.
The same silver banners.
The same watchtowers overlooking the valley.
Five years had passed.
Yet somehow, nothing looked different.
Except her.
Aariana sat straight in the saddle, her dark cloak moving with the wind. Behind her rode twelve members of Blackridge Pack, all armed and alert.
Wren rode beside her.
He had been unusually quiet since they left.
“Mother?”
Aariana glanced at him.
“Yes?”
“Is this where you lived before?”
She looked toward the gates.
“Yes.”
“Did you like it?”
Aariana was silent for a moment.
“I thought I did.”
Wren frowned.
“What happened?”
“Nothing you need to worry about.”
He clearly didn't believe her.
Aariana almost smiled.
Wren had inherited her stubbornness.
At least, that was what she told herself.
She turned her attention back to the road.
The closer they came to the gates, the more familiar scents filled the air.
Pine.
Smoke.
Wolfbane.
And underneath them all, something she had spent years trying to forget.
Lucas.
Her wolf stirred.
Aariana tightened her grip on the reins.
No.
She wasn't here for him.
She was here because the council had summoned her.
She was here because they had dragged her son's name into a succession dispute.
She was here because someone had decided her bloodline could no longer be ignored.
Nothing else mattered.
The gates opened.
The guards stepped forward.
Then froze.
One of them stared at Aariana.
Another looked at the symbol stitched into her cloak.
The black wolf surrounded by a silver circle.
Alpha.
Their expressions changed.
The first guard bowed.
“Welcome to Voss territory, Alpha.”
Aariana rode past him.
No smile.
No greeting.
No hesitation.
Whispers erupted behind the gates.
“Is that her?”
“It can't be.”
“She was supposed to be dead.”
“She was exiled.”
“That's Aariana Calder.”
“An Alpha?”
Aariana heard every word.
She didn't react.
That was one of the first lessons exile had taught her.
People expected power to announce itself.
Real power didn't need to.
Wren looked around curiously.
“Why is everyone staring?”
“Because they don't know what to do with themselves.”
He looked at her.
“Should I wave?”
“No.”
“Why?”
“Because then they'll think we're friendly.”
Wren considered that.
“Okay.”
He straightened proudly.
Aariana almost laughed.
Almost.
The central courtyard was packed by the time they reached it.
Warriors lined the stone steps.
Pack members stood behind them.
And at the top waited the council.
Aariana recognized Marcus immediately.
He had aged.
But not enough.
She remembered him standing in the same chamber five years ago.
She remembered his cold voice.
His accusations.
His signature.
The order that had changed her life.
His eyes widened when he saw her.
For the first time, Aariana saw fear there.
Good.
She dismounted.
Wren climbed down beside her.
Aariana placed one hand briefly on his shoulder.
“Stay close.”
“I can protect myself.”
“I know.”
She looked at him.
“That isn't the point.”
Wren nodded.
The council descended the steps.
Marcus stopped several feet away.
“Alpha Calder.”
Aariana stared at him.
“Elder Marcus.”
His face tightened.
“You've changed.”
“I had five years.”
The silence around them became uncomfortable.
Marcus cleared his throat.
“The council welcomes you back.”
“No, it doesn't.”
Several council members stiffened.
Aariana continued.
“But that's fine. I didn't come for a welcome.”
Marcus's eyes moved toward Wren.
Aariana noticed.
Immediately, she stepped slightly in front of her son.
“Don't.”
Marcus looked back at her.
“We need to discuss the boy.”
“You can discuss him when I decide you're allowed to.”
“He has a legitimate blood claim.”
“So do I.”
Marcus's expression changed.
Aariana smiled faintly.
“That's why you're nervous.”
One of the council members stepped forward.
“You were summoned because the succession dispute requires your presence. Not to make accusations.”
Aariana looked at him.
“Then don't give me reasons to make them.”
The warrior beside the council member lowered his gaze.
Marcus motioned toward the entrance.
“The hearing will begin tomorrow.”
“Good.”
“You'll be given quarters inside the Alpha residence.”
“No.”
Marcus blinked.
“No?”
“I'll stay at the guest house.”
“That is not customary.”
“I don't care.”
Aariana turned away.
Marcus called after her.
“Alpha Calder.”
She stopped.
“There is one more matter.”
She looked over her shoulder.
“Your claim to the territory.”
Aariana waited.
Marcus's voice lowered.
“Some members of the council believe your claim should be rejected.”
Aariana smiled.
“Then they should prepare their argument.”
She walked away.
She didn't look toward the Alpha residence.
She didn't ask where Lucas was.
She didn't ask if he still lived in the same room.
She didn't ask if he had married.
She didn't ask if he remembered her.
She didn't care.
At least, that was what she told herself.
Inside the guest house, Wren dropped his bag onto the bed.
“Can I explore?”
“No.”
“Why?”
“Because you don't know this place.”
“I can learn.”
Aariana gave him a look.
“Wren.”
He sighed.
“Fine.”
She watched him sit on the edge of the bed.
He looked disappointed.
Aariana walked to the window.
The Alpha residence was visible across the courtyard.
Lights burned behind the upper windows.
Five years ago, she had stood inside those walls believing she belonged there.
She had been wrong.
Her hand tightened around the windowsill.
Never again.
A knock sounded.
Aariana turned.
One of her warriors entered.
“Alpha.”
“What?”
“The council has sent word. Tomorrow's hearing will be public.”
“Of course.”
“And there's something else.”
Aariana waited.
“The pack has already started talking about Wren.”
Her expression hardened.
“What are they saying?”
“That he's the reason you were summoned.”
Aariana's eyes narrowed.
“That's not all.”
The warrior hesitated.
“Some are saying he may be connected to the Voss bloodline.”
Silence.
Aariana looked toward the window.
So the rumors had already started.
She wasn't surprised.
People always wanted answers.
And when they didn't have them, they created their own.
“Make sure Wren stays with our people tomorrow.”
“Yes, Alpha.”
The warrior left.
Aariana remained at the window.
She should have closed the curtains.
Instead, she stared across the courtyard.
A figure had appeared outside the Alpha residence.
Tall.
Broad shoulders.
Dark hair.
Lucas.
Even from a distance, she recognized him.
Her heart gave one painful beat.
Five years vanished.
For one second, she remembered a younger Lucas standing in front of her, holding her hands and promising that no council, no family, and no Alpha could separate them.
Then another memory replaced it.
His cold expression.
His silence.
The rejection.
The guards escorting her away.
Aariana closed her eyes.
When she opened them, Lucas was gone.
Good.
She turned away from the window.
She had survived five years without him.
She could survive seeing him again.
The next morning, Aariana entered the council chamber alone.
She wore black.
No jewels.
No unnecessary decoration.
Only the silver Alpha mark around her neck and the blade at her waist.
The room fell silent.
Every face turned toward her.
Aariana walked to the center.
Then stopped.
She didn't bow.
She didn't lower her eyes.
She didn't ask permission to stand there.
She simply waited.
The council members exchanged nervous looks.
Then the doors behind her opened.
Aariana heard footsteps.
Slow.
Measured.
Familiar.
Her wolf stirred.
She refused to turn around.
A shadow fell across the floor beside hers.
Lucas stopped several feet away.
Aariana's fingers tightened around the edge of her sleeve.
She could feel his eyes on her.
She waited.
He said nothing.
Then his voice finally broke the silence.
Soft.
Disbelieving.
Almost wounded.
“Ros?”
Aariana's heart stopped.
He still remembered her.
But he didn't know her.
Not really.
He didn't know the Alpha standing before him.
He didn't know the son waiting outside.
And he certainly didn't know the truth about the five years he'd lost.
Aariana slowly turned.
Their eyes met for the first time in five years.
And neither of them spoke.
- Writer
- chap_listContents
- likeADD