Aria's Revenge

CHAPTER THREE

Aria's POV

Every jolt and bump as the men of Vega dragged me through the woods just increased the pain: rough shackles bit into my wrists. The path was dangerous, winding its way through roots and stones, and I almost couldn’t keep up with their brutal pace. I wore bruises and cuts all over my body, a reminder of my rejection, banishment, and deathly dangers in the rogue lands. I thought of Vega’s twisted smile, his eyes full of that cruel satisfaction, because I was helpless.

Finally, we got to the rogue hideout—the rotting building tucked back under huge oaks, and I was shoved to the ground, my knees scraping along the dirt floor. The air filled with laughter and jeers of rogues, with mock glares of their piercing eyes, burning me to a salve, but I bit back my depression, no fear to show them.

"Such a waste for an Alpha’s mate to be reduced to this." Vega's dripping voice filled with disdain. "Or maybe you’ll be useful after all. And with your connections to Raven’s Peak, with a bit of chaos, we might – just might – get somewhere."

Stale blood clung to him, and he crouched down, his face close to mine. “Imagine Ryder’s reaction when he finds out his precious rejected mate has joined his enemies. You’ll be a wonderful tool to undermine him.”

I felt anger well up inside me, a fire burning through shackles and threats. I spat, "Ryder will never fall for your games. He may have rejected me, but he won’t let you use me to hurt the pack.”

A sound full of mockery, Vega chuckled. “Do you think he still cares about you? Aria, he threw you out like trash. You’re nothing to him now. But then you’ll be just another rogue under my command.”

My mind searched for an escape, and each time I looked around the room, I saw the same grim reality, rogues everywhere, no escape. The only thing holding me together was the anger, the rage that boiled inside me, and I clung to that, the only thing that kept me from falling apart at Vega’s threats.

Then a commotion sounded outside. There were a series of loud thuds, followed by panicked shouts, in the hideout. Tension cracked out in the air, the rogues exchanged uneasy glances.

“What’s going on?” Vega rose to his feet, his eyes narrowing, barking at the sounds coming closer. The door burst open, and a dark imposing figure walked into the room, then like a storm through the forest.

My breath caught.

The room shrank around him as a man, tall and fierce, with cold, silver eyes and an aura of raw power, surveyed the room. He stared hard and calculating at each rogue, and they cowered, stepping back as his presence filled the space. I’d never met him before, but there was no doubt about the power in his posture, the silent, deadly strength that was his.

Vega was faltering with his usual bravado, now with an expression of barely concealed fear. His voice wavered, “Kael.”

Kael? My mind reeled. The Lycan King of Eldrid, the most powerful person in these lands, across these lands, across Raven’s Peak. I’d only heard whispers of him, legends whispered around fires. A ruthless warrior, a king who did not answer to anyone. What was he doing here?

Vega caught Kael’s gaze with a look of disdain. The cold and unyielding tone of his voice could be heard as he spoke. “You know you have overstepped your bounds, Vega. You’ve been raiding my borders, attacking my people. Consider this a last warning.”

I could see the fear simmering in his eyes as Vega’s face twisted with defiance. “You have no jurisdiction here, Kael. This is rogue territory.”

Kael’s tone was as sharp as a blade, he replied, “Not anymore.” In a flash he lunged forward, grabbing Vega by surprise. He lifted Vega off the ground by his throat, his hand wrapped around Vega’s throat. Kael’s grip was unrelenting and Vega struggled, his feet kicking helplessly in the air with his expression unmarred by mercy.

In the hideout alone, the rogues scattered, leaving fearfully as the Lycan King’s wrath melted their loyalty to Vega.

Kael tightened his grip, and his silver eyes flashed cold.

Kael tossed Vega to the ground with a final, dismissive shove, sending him tumbling to the ground in a heap. He struggled to his feet, the defiance had left his eyes, replaced by the same fear as his followers had fled moments before. Kael looked up at Vega, unbothered as if killing him was no different from any other task.

“Vega, leave now before I decide to change my mind,” Kael’s voice was deadly low. “And if I ever see you again, I won’t be as merciful.”

Vega limped toward the back exit with one last glare and disappeared into the forest without a word. The air brought with it the smell of fear and tension, and there wasn’t any sound, particularly no one uttering a word.

Kael's tone was unyielding, as he commanded, “Stand.” I couldn’t move for a moment, under the weight of his gaze. There was something warm beneath the cold authority in his voice. I pushed myself to my feet, my knees shaking from exhaustion and from the raw intimidation of his presence, but reluctantly.

“Who are you,” His silver eyes narrowed, watching me as I moved. “You don’t smell like a rogue. Yet, you are here.”

I swallowed the fear in my throat, hesitating. “I… I’m Aria, a former pack member of Raven’s Peak.” My tongue tasted the words bitterly. “They… they banished me.”

His expression flickered, maybe with curiosity, but he masked it almost instantly. “Banished?” he said as if that sounded like a bad idea.

I nodded my head, my voice wavering, “Yes. He rejected me, my mate, Ryder.”

Kael just stared at me for a long moment, his eyes unreadable. He nodded, finally, as though he’d made some silent decision.

He turned towards the exit and said “Come with me.”

“Where are we going?” I was wary but too exhausted to argue, so I asked.

“Eldrid,” he replied. “You’ll be safe there.”

I couldn’t protest. I didn’t believe him, but his posture was oddly reassuring, a promise of protection that my instincts wanted to trust.

The cool night air hit me, sharp and cold which washed some of the tension away as we walked out of the hideout. I looked at Kael, wondering why he would bother to help me, a total stranger, a banished former pack member.

“Why are you helping me?” I asked softly, almost afraid to hear his answer.

He didn’t look at me as he answered, staring up at the forest path. “I don’t abandon those in need of protection.” His tone was hard. “They don't even believe they’re worth saving.”

The words hit something deep within me, reigniting a long-dead hope I’d long forgotten existed. Maybe, just maybe, there was a place that I could go where I could belong again.

We passed through the woods, but as we did, something caught my eye, a flash of movement in the shadows. I turned and saw him.

Ryder.

His face was cold and cruel, and he was watching from the trees. His eyes narrowed and gleamed with a malice I hadn’t seen before, and he fixed them on me like I was prey to be reclaimed.

I shivered at the thought of fear. Here, deep into rogue territory, Ryder had followed me. What did he want? Why was he here now, after all he’d done?

My hesitation had been noticed by Kael, and he turned to see what I was looking at, his sharp eyes narrowing as he took in the figure of Ryder. It became heavy with a foreboding silence and nothing was said.

"Is that the one who rejected you?" I could hear the danger lurking beneath Kael’s voice, which was low.

I whispered, unable to remove my gaze from the murderous look in Ryder’s eyes, “Yes.”

“He doesn’t have any power over you. You are under my protection now.”

My heart was pounding, and I nodded, feeling the weight of those words hit me.

I glanced back one last time, locking eyes with Ryder as Kael and I continued forward, as we disappeared into the night.