Alpha queen: fated to three Mates

Chapter 4

Aria’s New life

A dull ache spread through my body before I even opened my eyes. The scent of fresh hay filled my nose, mixed with the faint aroma of lavender and burning firewood.

Slowly, I blinked.

A wooden roof came into focus above me, its aged beams crisscrossing overhead. Golden rays of morning sunlight slipped through the narrow gaps between the planks, scattering ribbons of light across the room. I frowned, this wasn't the forest. My heartbeat quickened, pushing myself onto my elbows, I winced as pain shot through my shoulders and legs. Every muscle screamed in protest, reminding me of the frantic run through the woods. The room was small and simple. Bundles of dried herbs hung from the rafters. Neatly stacked bales of hay occupied one corner, while a worn wooden table stood against the wall beside a clay pitcher filled with water. A single window overlooked a quiet clearing bathed in the pale morning sun.

Where am I?. The memory crashed into me all at once. The bedroom, Kieran, Lyra, the forest, the stranger, his outstretched hand. My chest tightened as tears threatened to spill again. "No..." I whispered, shaking my head, it hadn't been a nightmare. Every painful moment had been real. Before I could gather my thoughts, the wooden door creaked open.

A young woman stepped inside carrying a steaming bowl in both hands. She paused the moment our eyes met, surprise flashing across her face before her expression softened into a gentle smile.

"You're awake," she said quietly. I fearfully pulled the blanket closer around myself, every nerve on edge. She seemed to notice my fear and stopped a few steps away. "Don't worry," she said softly. "You're safe here."I studied her carefully. She looked about my age, with chestnut-brown hair braided over one shoulder and kind amber eyes. Her dress was plain, patched in several places, yet spotless.

"I'm Seraphic," she introduced herself. "I've been taking care of you since Alpha Kael brought you here." I stared at her, the unfamiliar name echoing in my mind. "Where... am I?" She hesitated for a moment before answering. "You're in the Mooncrest Pack." The words settled over me like a heavy blanket.

“Mooncrest” I had heard stories about the pack, but I had never imagined waking up within its borders. "How did I get here?" I asked with a whisper, Seraphic's gentle smile faded, replaced by a look of quiet concern. "Alpha Kael found you unconscious near our western border," she said. "You were badly injured and burning with fever. He carried you back to the pack himself because he can't avoid leaving you there. I frowned, struggling to remember. I was so confused and tired my mind was nothing but scattered fragments. At that point what I could only remember was a blur of towering trees, the sting of tears on my cheeks, and the crushing pain that had driven me deep into the forest.

"How long have I been here?" I asked, confused. "Three days," Seraphic replied softly. "You drifted in and out of consciousness, but you never truly woke up. There were moments when you spoke in your sleep, though your words made little sense."

I froze. My eyes widened Three days ? I asked.

It felt impossible. To me, it had only been a few moments since I had fled into the forest, desperate to escape the sight of Kieran and Lyra together. A sharp ache spread through my chest as the memory came rushing back. My breathing hitched, and I looked down fighting the tears that threatened to spill. Seraphic noticed the change in my facial expression but didn't press for answers. Instead, she poured a cup of warm herbal tea and handed it to me.

"Drink," she said gently. "Your body is still weak. Whatever happened before you came here can wait. Right now, your recovery is what matters at this point. I nodded slowly and stretched out my trembling hand. My fingers brushed against the small wooden cup before I finally wrapped my hands on it. The aroma of the warm herbal tea filled the room with a soft, fresh scent. I hesitated for a second, then lifted the cup to my mouth. The moment I swallowed the first mouthful, a faint lemon-like taste spread across my tongue. It was slightly bitter than lemon itself, yet strangely refreshing. Then something happened unexpectedly. A strange sensation rushed through my body. It began at the top of my head like a cool wave before flowing slowly down my neck, across my shoulders, through my chest, and all the way down to my knees. It wasn’t painful at all. It felt as though invisible energy was washing away every bit of weakness inside me and I can feel it.

I blinked in surprise. For a moment, I didn’t understand what I was feeling. The pounding ache in my head began to fade. My heavy body felt lighter, and the sharp pain in my muscles slowly loosened itself. Even my breathing became steadier. I looked down at the cup in my hands before raising my eyes to Seraphic.

“What… is this?” I asked softly.

A small smile appeared on her face. “It’s not ordinary tea,” she replied. “It's a herb that grows in this forest carrying healing energy. That helps restore strength, calm the mind, and speed up recovery.” I stared at the remaining tea in the cup with quiet amazement. I had never tasted anything like it before. For the first time since everything had fallen apart, the weight pressing against my body seemed just a little lighter. But deep inside my heart the pain Kieran had left behind was a wound no medicine could heal. My hands began to shake as my fingers loosened around the cup, it slipped from my hands and landed on the wooden floor, scattering broken pieces in every direction. The remaining tea soaked into the floorboards.

My heart panicked as I heard the sound. I slowly came up, trying to climb out of the bed. The moment my feet touched the ground a sharp pain shot through my legs

“Ouch” I staggered.

Before I could fall, Seraphic caught my arm. "Careful," she said, gently guiding me back onto the bed.

"You're still too weak." "I didn't mean to", "It's only a cup," she interrupted with a reassuring smile. "Those can be replaced. Your health cannot." I lowered my eyes, guilt tightening in my chest. Just then. Three firm knocks echoed through the room.

Knock. Knock. Knock.

Seraphic's expression immediately turned respectful. "Come in," she called, the wooden door creaked open. A tall figure stepped inside, the air in the room shifted. Every instinct in my body went still as a pair of piercing silver eyes settled on me. Without needing an introduction...

I knew.

Alpha Keal had arrived. My heart skipped a beat as our eyes met. There was something unsettling about his looks towards me; his gaze was cold, sharp, yet also impossible to look away from. He stood silently by the doorway, his broad shoulders filling the frame as if the room had suddenly become too small for anyone else. An invisible pressure settled over my chest, making it difficult for me to breathe. I instinctively lowered my head, unsure whether it was fear or respect pulling me down. The silence stretched between us until Alpha Kael finally took a slow step forward towards me. Every movement was so calm, controlled, and filled with quiet authority. Without saying a single word, he made his presence impossible to ignore.