Moonbound Prophecy

6 MARRIAGE TO AN ALPHA

Aria woke up the next day feeling refreshed from the run the night before. After breakfast, she heard a knocking at her front door. She opened it, and there stood her mother. “ARIA! My dear Aria, how are you doing this morning?” Aria gave her mother a warm embrace. “Very well in fact! I slept more peaceful than I have in days” Her mother smiled, “Well I’m glad to hear it, now…about this wedding”. Aria’s eyed widened, “Wedding?” Her mother looked confused, “Why yes dear, wedding. You’re going to marry Caden correct?”

With all that had happened Aria forgot that the prophecy and the bond would mean her marrying Caden. Aria's eyes widened further, her heart skipping a beat. Now, with her mother standing there, looking expectant and hopeful, the reality of it all crashed over her like a wave.

“Mother,” Aria said, trying to find her voice, “I-I haven’t had a moment to think about the wedding with everything going on.” She tucked a stray lock of hair behind her ear, her mind racing. The bond she shared with Caden was undeniable, forged by fate and strengthened by love and shared experiences. But the idea of an official ceremony, of becoming his mate in the eyes of the entire pack, felt overwhelming in that moment.

Her mother’s smile softened with understanding. “I know there’s a lot on your plate, dear,” she said gently, taking Aria’s hands in hers. “But our traditions are important, especially now. The pack needs something to look forward to, something to believe in. And a union between you and Caden would be a beacon of hope, a reminder that even in the darkest times, love and unity prevail.”

Just then, Caden appeared in the hallway behind her, his golden-red hair still slightly tousled from the morning. He must have overheard part of the conversation, because he was giving Aria a gentle, supportive smile. “Morning,” he said, his blue eyes warm. “What’s this about a wedding?”

Caden’s smile grew, and he stepped forward, wrapping an arm around her shoulders. “Well,” he said, looking between Aria and her mother, “it’s true that our bond is strong, and I’d be honored to make it official. But only when you’re ready,” he added, his gaze focused on Aria. “We’ve faced a lot together, and I don’t want to rush you into anything.”

Aria took a deep breath, feeling her nerves start to settle. “I think we need to talk more about it,” she said, looking up at him. “But maybe… maybe it is something we should consider. For the pack, and for us.”

Her mother beamed, clapping her hands together. “Oh, I’m so happy to hear that! We’ll take it one step at a time, of course. But I’ll be here to help with whatever you need.”

Aria and Caden exchanged a glance, both feeling the weight of their responsibilities but also the promise of something beautiful amidst the chaos. As her mother began to excitedly discuss ideas for a simple yet meaningful ceremony, Aria realized that maybe, just maybe, there could still be moments of joy and love in the days ahead.

After her mother had fulfilled her wish of listing every possible idea for a ceremony, she ushered her mother out of the house. “Mom, Caden and I need to talk, okay? We can discuss it more later! Love you always!” Her mother smiled, “okay honey, let me know if you need anything at all! Your father and I are so excited”. Her mother was walking, almost skipping away from the house, looking almost as happy as the day Aria was born no doubt.

Aria turned to Caden, looking into his striking blue eyes “Are we really doing this?” Caden gave her a soft smile, “only if you want to”. Aria paused for a moment, then grabbed Caden’s hand. “Let’s do it. Our bond feels stronger than ever, and I think I’m ready.” Caden's eyes lit up with a mixture of joy and relief. His smile widened, and he gently squeezed Aria’s hand, pulling her closer. “You have no idea how happy that makes me,” he said, his voice warm and full of affection. “We’ll make it a celebration worthy of our bond and our pack’s future.”

Aria felt a rush of warmth spread through her, the decision settling more comfortably in her heart now that she had spoken it aloud. It was true—their bond had been tested and strengthened in ways she hadn’t thought possible. And though the world around them felt uncertain, she knew this was something she wanted. She wanted to stand by Caden, not just as a partner in leadership but as his mate in every sense.

Caden pulled her into a gentle embrace, his arms wrapping around her. “We’ll make it meaningful, something to unite the pack even more,” he said, his voice soft in her ear. “But it will also be for us. A promise that no matter what comes, we’ll face it together.”

Aria leaned into him, closing her eyes and taking in his comforting scent. “Together,” she echoed, feeling a sense of peace wash over her. For a moment, everything felt right. It was a small haven in the chaos of their lives, and she clung to it. Caden chuckled, the sound light and genuine. “We’ll have to brace ourselves for your mother’s enthusiasm, though,” he teased, and Aria couldn’t help but laugh.

“Oh, she’s already planning a hundred different ways to make it the event of the year,” Aria said, rolling her eyes with a fond smile. “But we’ll manage.”

Just as Aria was about to respond, a loud, echoing howl cut through the air, sending a chill down her spine. The sound was distant but unmistakable—an alarm call from one of the guards stationed at the pack’s stone walls.

Caden’s expression shifted in an instant, his smile disappearing as his Alpha instincts took over. “Something’s wrong,” he said, his voice suddenly tense.

Aria’s heart began to race, and she nodded, the peace they’d just shared shattered by the urgent call. “Let’s go,” she said, determination filling her eyes.

Hand in hand, they rushed out of the house, ready to face whatever threat had arrived at their doorstep. The celebration and wedding plans would have to wait—there were more pressing dangers ahead.

As they approached the front of the pack gate, they saw the guard, clearly frightened. Caden stepped forward, “What’s happened?” The guard could barely get a word out, but managed “rouges”. Caden’s face turned dark before quickly going into wolf form. He raced outside of the gate with the unknown ahead, all he knew was that he needed to protect his pack.

Aria followed shortly behind Caden, running along the outside of the stone wall, keeping a close eye on the forest. The guard had said rouge, so where were they? Aria thought. Just after that thought had finished, she came upon Caden, fighting off a group of rouges. Aria’s heart raced as she took in the chaotic scene. Caden was in the thick of battle, his powerful golden-red wolf form slashing and snapping at the rogues with ferocious strength. The air was filled with growls and the sounds of claws meeting flesh, but Caden was holding his ground, fighting with the grace and dominance of a true Alpha

.

A few of our pack fighters had also just arrived, Caden must have mind-linked his brother Elias for assistance. Aria could feel the pulse of the pack bond in her mind, the instinctive connection that allowed them to work as one. Yet, even with their combined strength, the rogues were relentless, attacking with a desperation and wildness that hinted at something deeper driving them.

Aria’s eyes locked onto the large black wolf at the back of the group, his fur dark as midnight and his bright green eyes glowing with an unnatural intensity. He was watching the fight, his stance poised and calculating, as if he were waiting for the perfect moment to strike. There was something about him that made Aria’s blood run cold, a primal sense of danger that she couldn’t shake.

Her eyes narrowed as she watched the black wolf. If he was the leader, taking him down could turn the tide of the battle. But she also knew he wouldn’t be easy to defeat. She needed to be careful, to outmaneuver him and protect her pack.

Aria moved swiftly, circling around the edge of the fight. As she approached the black wolf, he turned his glowing green eyes on her, and a low, rumbling growl escaped his throat. His gaze held a chilling intelligence, and Aria could see that this was no ordinary rogue. He was powerful and controlled, a true leader among the wild and chaotic rogues he commanded.

The black wolf bared his teeth, and Aria braced herself, her own growl building in her chest. She knew this confrontation would be dangerous, but she also knew that she couldn’t let him continue to threaten their pack. She stepped forward, her muscles tensed and ready, as the black wolf lunged at her.

Their clash was a blur of silver and black fur, fangs snapping and claws slashing. Aria fought with everything she had, using her agility to dodge his powerful strikes. But the black wolf was strong, his attacks relentless, and she realized that he was testing her, gauging her strength.

Caden, sensing her danger through their bond, let out a furious snarl and broke away from the rogues he was fighting. He charged toward them, his blue eyes blazing with protective fury. But before he could reach them, the black wolf turned and gave a bone-chilling howl, a signal that seemed to echo through the forest.

In an instant, the rogues began to retreat, vanishing into the shadows as quickly as they had appeared. The black wolf stepped back, his green eyes locking with Aria’s one last time. There was a silent promise in his gaze, a promise of more to come, before he turned and melted into the darkness with his pack.

The sudden silence that followed was deafening. Aria shifted back into her human form, her heart still pounding in her chest. Caden rushed to her side, his expression filled with worry. “Are you okay?” he asked, his voice tight.

Aria nodded, though her body was trembling from the adrenaline. “I’m fine,” she said, her voice steady despite the fear lingering in her veins. “But who was that? He wasn’t just any rogue.”

Caden’s jaw clenched, his blue eyes dark with concern. “I don’t know,” he admitted, “but we need to find out. He was organized, and that makes him dangerous.”

Aria swallowed; the image of the black wolf’s glowing green eyes still vivid in her mind. The battle had been a warning—a glimpse of the darkness that was closing in around them. And she knew, deep in her heart, that the fight for their pack had only just begun.

The evening was quiet as healers were treating the pack warrior’s wounds. They had neither lost nor won this battle. It had seemed to be just a test. Aria and Caden were huddled together in the corner of the treatment room, silent and clearly thinking of what had just happened. Aria grabbed Caden’s hand and looked him in the eyes, “Caden, I’m scared. I don’t want anything to happen to our pack, our home.” With soft eyes, Caden responded “I know, I’m thankful none of our warriors were killed. They fought well today, but we need to continue to train. It’s clear this isn’t the final battle against the rouges”.

She glanced around the room, taking in the sight of their packmates being tended to by the healers. Each warrior bore the marks of the brutal battle, but the strength in their eyes reminded her why she would fight to protect them all. Just then, the doors to the treatment room swung open, and one of the scouts burst in, breathless and wide-eyed. “Aria, Caden,” he panted, his voice urgent. “You need to see this. We found something at the edge of the territory.”

Aria and Caden exchanged a worried glance before rising to their feet. “What is it?” Aria asked, her heart thumping with a mix of fear and anticipation.

The scout hesitated, his gaze flickering with unease. “It’s... a message,” he finally said, his voice lowering. “From the rogues.” The pack gathered at the border, where a large tree stood with deep claw marks gouged into its trunk. Hanging from one of the branches was a piece of black fabric, torn and fluttering in the breeze. Scrawled into the dirt beneath it, in deep, jagged lines, was a single word: Soon.

Aria’s breath caught in her throat as she stared at the ominous message.