Chapter 3: The Secret She Can't Hide
757 Words
The word echoed through Kael's mind.
Mate.
His wolf paced restlessly, repeating it again and again.
She is ours. Protect her.
Kael clenched his jaw.
Impossible.
He had waited years for the Moon Goddess to reveal his mate, yet he never imagined she would be a frightened girl who had wandered into his territory with hunters on her trail.
Aria frowned.
"You've gone quiet."
Kael forced himself to remain calm.
"You're coming with me."
Her eyes widened.
"What?"
"I need answers."
"I'm not going anywhere with you."
She took a step back.
Kael folded his arms.
"You have two choices. Come willingly... or my warriors will escort you."
Aria's grip tightened around the small dagger hidden beneath her cloak.
"I won't be your prisoner."
One of the Blackthorn warriors laughed.
"You think that little dagger can stop our Alpha?"
Kael raised a hand, silencing his men.
"No one touches her."
The warriors exchanged confused glances but obeyed.
Aria noticed.
He could have ordered them to seize her.
Instead, he was giving her a choice.
Still...
She couldn't trust him.
Every Alpha she'd ever heard about cared only about power.
Why should Kael be any different?
"I appreciate you saving me," she said carefully, "but I have to leave."
"You'll die before sunrise."
"I'll take my chances."
Without another word, Aria turned and ran into the forest.
"Alpha!" one of the warriors shouted.
"Should we stop her?"
Kael sighed.
"Stay here."
Before anyone could blink, he shifted into his enormous black wolf and disappeared between the trees.
Aria ran as fast as she could.
Branches whipped against her face while roots threatened to trip her with every step.
She didn't dare slow down.
If Kael discovered her secret...
Everything would be over.
Suddenly, a deep growl echoed ahead.
She froze.
Three massive wolves emerged from the darkness.
They weren't Blackthorn warriors.
Their eyes glowed an unnatural crimson.
Foam dripped from their mouths.
"They found me..." Aria whispered.
The wolves lunged.
She dodged the first one, but the second slammed into her shoulder, sending her crashing to the ground.
Her dagger flew out of her hand.
The third wolf opened its jaws, aiming straight for her throat.
Aria squeezed her eyes shut.
A thunderous roar shook the forest.
A huge black wolf crashed into the attackers, knocking them aside with incredible force.
Kael.
He fought like a creature born for battle.
His claws tore through the first wolf.
The second fled into the trees.
The third hesitated...
Then let out a strange howl before disappearing into the darkness.
Silence returned.
Kael shifted back into his human form.
"You call that taking your chances?"
Aria managed a weak smile.
"I've had better plans."
Before Kael could reply, he noticed blood soaking through the sleeve of her jacket.
"You're hurt."
"It's just a scratch."
"It isn't."
He stepped closer.
Instinctively, Aria backed away.
"Don't touch me."
Kael stopped.
"Why are you so afraid of being helped?"
She looked away.
"Because everyone who tries to help me eventually regrets it."
Those words lingered between them.
For a moment, Kael saw something beyond her fear.
Loneliness.
The kind that came from years of running.
Before he could speak, Aria suddenly cried out.
A strange silver glow spread across her wrist.
"What... what's happening?" she gasped.
The mark grew brighter.
The ground beneath her feet began to tremble.
The moonlight pouring through the trees gathered around her body.
Leaves swirled in the air.
The wind howled.
Kael stared in disbelief.
"I've never seen power like this..."
Aria collapsed to her knees, unable to control the energy flowing through her.
"I can't stop it!"
The silver light burst into the sky like a beacon.
Miles away, hidden inside a fortress of black stone, a hooded man looked up from his throne.
A cruel smile spread across his face.
"So..."
"After all these years..."
"We've finally found her."
He rose slowly, his crimson eyes glowing in the darkness.
"Prepare the hunters."
"This time..."
"Bring me the girl alive."
Back in the forest, the silver light suddenly vanished.
Aria's breathing was ragged.
Kael knelt beside her.
"Aria..."
"What are you hiding?"
She slowly looked into his eyes.
Fear filled her voice.
"I don't know what I am anymore."
Before Kael could answer, a chilling voice echoed through the trees.
"You won't have time to find out."
Dozens of glowing red eyes appeared in the darkness.
Kael drew his sword.
Aria's heart nearly stopped.
They weren't surrounded by three hunters anymore.
They were surrounded by an entire army.
- Writer
