Chapter 5: The Alpha's Castle
708 Words
The journey to Blackthorn Pack was silent.
Aria rode beside Kael through the dense forest, surrounded by his warriors. Towering pine trees stretched endlessly around them, their branches blocking out most of the afternoon sun.
No one spoke.
Every warrior stole curious glances at the mysterious girl riding beside their Alpha.
Aria noticed.
"They don't trust me," she said quietly.
Kael didn't look at her.
"They trust my judgment."
"That's not the same thing."
A faint smile tugged at the corner of his lips.
"No... it isn't."
Hours later, the forest finally opened.
Aria's breath caught.
Before her stood the Blackthorn Pack.
Massive stone walls surrounded an enormous castle carved into the side of a mountain. Hundreds of wolves trained in the courtyard while merchants and children moved through the busy streets below.
It looked more like a kingdom than a pack.
As Kael rode through the gates, everyone bowed.
"Welcome back, Alpha."
Then they noticed Aria.
The whispers began immediately.
"Who's the girl?"
"Did the Alpha bring back a rogue?"
"I've never seen her before."
An older woman frowned.
"She's human..."
Kael's cold voice silenced everyone.
"She is my guest."
The courtyard instantly fell quiet.
Rowan stepped forward.
"The east wing has already been prepared."
Kael nodded.
"Good."
He turned to Aria.
"You'll stay there."
She hesitated.
"I don't want to be a burden."
"You aren't."
She wanted to believe him.
But years of rejection made it difficult.
As they entered the castle, Aria couldn't help staring at the elegant halls decorated with silver banners and ancient paintings.
Everything was so different from the tiny room she had grown up in.
A young maid approached nervously.
"My Alpha..."
"The healer wishes to examine the girl's injuries."
Kael looked at Aria.
"You should let her."
"I'm fine."
"That's not what I asked."
For a moment they simply stared at each other.
Then Aria sighed.
"...Fine."
The healer led her into a quiet room.
As she cleaned the wound on Aria's shoulder, she suddenly froze.
"What is it?" Aria asked.
The elderly woman stared at a birthmark just below Aria's collarbone.
A silver crescent moon.
The healer's hands began to tremble.
"Where..."
"...where did you get this mark?"
Aria looked confused.
"I've always had it."
The healer stepped back in shock.
"I need to tell the Alpha."
"No!"
Aria grabbed her wrist.
"Please..."
"Don't."
Before the healer could answer, a loud horn echoed throughout the castle.
Boooooom!
Rowan burst into the room.
"Alpha!"
"We've captured one of the hunters."
Kael immediately headed for the dungeon, with Aria following despite his protests.
The captured hunter was chained to the wall, covered in blood but smiling.
Kael stood before him.
"Who sent you?"
The man laughed.
"You already know."
"I want names."
The hunter leaned closer.
"You've made the biggest mistake of your life."
Kael's expression didn't change.
"Explain."
The hunter looked past him...
Straight at Aria.
"So..."
"They still haven't told you."
"Told me what?" Aria whispered.
The hunter's smile widened.
"You're not an ordinary runaway."
"You were never meant to survive."
Kael grabbed the man by the collar.
"What are you talking about?"
The hunter laughed even harder.
"The people who raised her..."
"...were the very people ordered to kill her."
Aria felt the world spin.
"No..."
"That's a lie."
The hunter looked directly into her tear-filled eyes.
"Ask your precious Nightshade Pack why they lied about your parents."
"They've known the truth..."
"...since the day they found you."
Before anyone could question him further...
The hunter suddenly bit down on something hidden between his teeth.
Blood spilled from his mouth.
He collapsed.
Dead.
Silence filled the dungeon.
Aria couldn't breathe.
Everything she had believed about her life...
Was falling apart.
Kael slowly turned toward her.
His eyes were filled with questions.
But before he could speak—
A guard burst into the dungeon, pale with fear.
"Alpha!"
"The northern watchtower has been destroyed!"
"And..."
He struggled to catch his breath.
"...someone has stolen the Sacred Moon Stone."
Kael's face darkened.
Only three people knew where the Moon Stone was hidden.
He looked at Rowan.
"Seal every gate."
Then his gaze shifted to Aria.
For the first time...
Suspicion flickered in his eyes.
"Who knew you were coming here?"
- Writer
