Chapter 6: The Bond Awakens
1132 Words
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The dream began the same way it always did—soft moonlight pouring through dense trees, the sound of water rushing over rocks, and the howl. Low, mournful, and distant.
Aria stood barefoot in the middle of the forest, the wind tugging at her white nightgown like invisible hands. She could feel eyes watching her. Not with menace, but with… longing.
Then he appeared.
A great silver wolf with glowing gold eyes.
He stepped from the shadows slowly, his gaze locked on hers. His breath steamed in the cool night air as he moved closer, each step heavy with restrained power. When he reached her, he didn’t bare teeth or growl.
Instead, he bowed his head.
And just like that, she felt it.
A connection.
A pull.
Something ancient. Something binding.
She reached out her hand to touch the wolf’s thick fur—but the dream shattered the moment her fingers made contact.
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Aria’s Apartment – Morning
Aria bolted upright in bed, drenched in sweat, her heart thudding against her ribs.
Third time this week.
Three nights in a row. Same forest. Same wolf. Same… feeling.
It wasn’t just a dream anymore. It felt real. Tangible. And somehow, she knew—deep down—that it had something to do with Kael.
But that was ridiculous.
Wasn’t it?
She shook her head and climbed out of bed, trying to dismiss the growing unease that clung to her like a second skin.
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Blackthorn Enterprises – Executive Floor
Kael stood by the window of his office, his hands clenched into fists behind his back.
He could feel it.
Her scent was stronger today.
More… alive.
And worse, his wolf was howling inside him.
Pacing. Growling. Demanding.
The bond was awakening.
Which meant time was running out.
He had hoped to keep his distance. To control the pace. To protect her from the truth of his world for just a little longer.
But the Moon Goddess clearly had other plans.
Kael turned as the door opened and Aria stepped inside, cheeks slightly flushed, her blouse tucked neatly into a navy skirt.
He caught a whiff of her scent—honeysuckle and vanilla—and his inner wolf surged forward with a growl he had to swallow.
“Good morning, Mr. Blackthorn,” she said, her voice soft and tentative.
“Morning,” he replied, but it came out rougher than intended.
She paused, brow furrowing. “You okay?”
“I’m fine,” he said quickly. “What’s on my schedule?”
She hesitated, then stepped forward with her notepad. “You have a board meeting at ten. A lunch with the Argento account at one. And—oh. There’s a visitor. A… Mr. Vance Lucro. He didn’t have an appointment, but he said you’d want to see him.”
Kael froze.
“Lucro?”
“Yes.”
A slow growl escaped him before he could stop it. The name alone triggered something primal.
“Tell security not to let him leave. I’ll meet him in the conference room.”
“Kael, wait—” she said without thinking.
His gaze snapped to hers, eyes flashing gold for the briefest second.
She stepped back, startled.
He noticed the fear flicker across her face.
And it cut deeper than he expected.
“I’m not… angry with you,” he said quietly. “But I need you to trust me. Stay in this office. Lock the door. No matter what you hear.”
Aria’s breath caught. “What are you going to do?”
Kael didn’t answer.
He just turned and walked out, his aura brimming with fury—and something older. Wilder.
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Conference Room – Moments Later
Kael stepped inside the glass-paneled room to find Vance Lucro leaning casually against the conference table, dressed in a sharp gray suit that did nothing to hide the smugness in his expression.
“Kael Blackthorn,” Vance said, arms open. “Always a pleasure.”
Kael didn’t sit. “What are you doing here?”
“Just in the neighborhood. Thought I’d check in on an old friend.”
“We were never friends.”
“Fair enough.” Vance smiled, his eyes gleaming. “I heard a rumor. That you found your second-chance mate. That she’s human.”
Kael’s eyes flashed.
Vance laughed. “So it’s true.”
Kael growled low in his throat. “If you lay a finger on her—”
“I wouldn’t dream of it,” Vance said, raising his hands. “But others? Well… let’s just say the packs are talking. Not everyone’s thrilled about a human Luna. Especially after what happened with Selene.”
Kael’s jaw tightened.
“Just a heads up,” Vance added, stepping closer. “She’s not safe, Kael. Not in your world. You know how this ends.”
Kael’s fists clenched. “You’re right. I do.”
He punched Vance so hard the man flew across the room, crashing into the far wall.
Vance groaned, coughing up blood. “Still got that temper, I see.”
Kael loomed over him. “If you so much as whisper her name again, I’ll rip out your throat.”
Then he turned and walked away, heart pounding, wolf howling for blood.
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Aria’s POV – Later
Aria was still sitting stiffly at Kael’s desk when he returned.
His suit jacket was wrinkled. A faint bruise forming near his knuckles. And his eyes… still glowed faintly gold.
“Are you hurt?” she asked softly.
He paused. “No.”
“You fought him, didn’t you?”
Kael didn’t deny it.
Aria stood slowly. “I don’t understand what’s happening.”
He stepped forward, closing the space between them. “Neither do I.”
They stood there—only inches apart—caught in something neither could name but both could feel.
His scent surrounded her, heady and warm. Her heart thundered. His breathing slowed.
And for the first time since they met, Kael reached out and touched her face.
Gently. Reverently.
“Aria,” he murmured. “There’s something I have to tell you.”
But before he could, her phone buzzed in her bag—shattering the moment.
She looked away, flustered. “I should get that.”
Kael stepped back. The connection broke like a thread snapping.
“Later,” he said.
But deep down, they both knew… later might be too late.
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That Night – Aria’s Apartment
The dream came again.
But this time, the silver wolf wasn’t alone.
Another figure appeared—shadowed and monstrous. Red eyes glowing. Fangs bared.
The silver wolf stood between her and the darkness, growling.
Protecting her.
Fighting for her.
Then she heard it—clear as day.
“Mate.”
She woke up gasping.
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- Writer
