Quiet Before the Storm
244 Words
The forest was quiet again.
Too quiet.
The moon hung high above Blackridge, casting pale silver light over the damaged village. Smoke still drifted from broken buildings, and the distant sounds of wounded hunters echoed through the night.
Aria stood in the empty street, staring at her hands.
The glow had faded.
But she could still feel the power.
Like a heartbeat under her skin.
Behind her, Kael leaned against the remains of a wooden fence, watching the tree line carefully.
“Relax,” Aria said without turning. “Your scary friend has already left.”
Kael didn’t smile.
“He didn’t leave.”
She turned to face him.
“What do you mean?”
“He’s waiting.”
“For what?”
Kael pushed himself off the fence and walked closer, his golden eyes tired.
“For the other Alphas.”
Aria folded her arms.
“Yeah… about that. You said there were more.”
“Five major packs,” Kael said. “A few smaller ones. But the big ones rule the territories.”
“And Vargan?”
Kael looked toward the forest again.
“He leads the strongest pack.”
“Of course he does.”
Aria studied him for a moment.
“You two know each other pretty well.”
Kael didn’t answer.
Which was answer enough.
Her eyes narrowed.
“…Kael.”
He sighed.
“I was hoping we could delay this conversation.”
“Nope. Not happening.”
- Writer
