THE WOLFLESS LUNA

CHAPTER 11: THE GIRL THE PACK DOESN’T TRUST

The silence did not last long.

It shattered.

Not from an attack.

But from whispers.

Spreading like wildfire through the Shadow-fang territory.

“She’s the one.”

“The hybrid.”

The Alpha killed her parents.

Aria stood in the center of it all.

And for the first time, she was not invisible.

She was exposed.

Every pair of eyes on her held something different.

The pack didn’t see her as a guest anymore or even a risk.

They all saw her as a threat.

A ticking time bomb standing in their territory.

And the worst of it all… No one tried to hide it.

“You should have told us.”

The voice cut through the tension.

“Selene.”

She stepped forward slowly with her eyes locked onto Kael.

“You brought her here knowing what she is.”

Kael did not respond immediately, but his presence shifted.

“I brought her here to protect her,” he said.

Selene burst into laughter…

“Protect her?” she repeated… Or protect yourself from what she might become?

The words hit harder than they should.

Because there was truth in them and everyone felt it.

Aria’s chest tightened.

“I didn’t ask to be brought here,” she said.

Her voice was steady.

But her heart wasn’t.

I didn’t ask for any of this.

Selene’s eyes snapped at her.

“Exactly,” she said. “And that’s the problem.”

A ripple of agreement moved through the crowd.

She doesn’t belong here.

“She’s dangerous”.

She could turn on us.

“I won’t.”

Aria’s voice cut through all of them.

Sharp and firm, but the damage was already done.

Because trust that is once broken, is not just easy to rebuild.

Kael stepped forward.

Placing himself beside her this time.

Not in front. Not shielding her.

Standing with her.

“I said she stays,” he declared.

His voice echoed across the territory.

The pack fell silent.

But the tension didn’t fade.

It deepened.

Because this… This wasn’t just about Aria anymore.

This was about him.

Their Alpha… Choosing her.

Selene’s eyes narrowed slightly.

“You’re making a mistake,” she said quietly.

Kael didn’t look at her.

I’ll deal with the consequences.

Selene looked at him for a long moment.

Then, she stepped back.

But her silence was not acceptance, but it was a war.

It was a warning.

The crowd slowly began to disperse.

But the looks did not stop.

They lingered.

Followed and burned into Aria’s skin.

She exhaled slowly.

“I should leave,” she said.

The words felt heavy.

But also, necessary.

Kael turned to her immediately.

“No.”

Her eyes met his.

You heard them.

I don’t care what they think.

“I do.”

The words came out sharper than she intended.

Silence stretched immediately between them.

“You shouldn’t,” Kael said quietly.

Her chest tightened.

“I trusted you,” she said.

“And you still can.”

Her laugh was soft this time, but bitter.

“You killed my parents.”

The words hung in the air.

Kael didn’t deny it.

Didn’t soften it.

Didn’t try to fix it.

And that… What hurt the most was what?

“You don’t understand what happened,” he said.

“Then explain it.”

“I can’t.”

“Or you won’t?”

Something inside her shifted.

“You don’t get to protect me,” she said again.

Her voice was very calm now.

“You lost that right.”

Kael’s expression hardened.

And you don’t get to decide that.

The words hit like a challenge.

Her eyes flashed.

And what? “ You’ll force me to stay?”

His eyes didn’t waver.

If I have to.

The air between them snapped.

Because beneath the anger

There was something else.

Something neither of them wanted to name.

Before Aria could respond, A voice cut through the clearing.

“Well, this is interesting.”

Both of them turned.

And there was Alaric.

You’re fighting already, he said. “I thought that would take longer.”

Kael’s eyes darkened.

“Leave.”

Alaric smiled.

I don’t think I will.

His eyes shifted towards Aria.

“You look like you’re about to make a decision.”

Her chest tightened.

“I’m not going with you.”

Alaric said softly.

I didn’t ask you to.

“But you will.”

There was something about the way he said it.

Like it was inevitable.

It sent a cool chill down her spine.

Selene stepped forward again and this time,

Not towards Kael, but towards Aria.

“You should not be here,” she said quietly.

Aria looked towards her eyes.

“And where should I go?”

Selene didn’t hesitate.

“Anywhere but here.”

The words hit harder than the others.

Because this time… There was no hatred behind them…Only fear.

“I won’t hurt your pack,” Aria said.

Selene’s expression didn’t change.

“That’s not what I’m afraid of.”

“I’m afraid you won’t be able to stop yourself.”

Aria’s chest tightened painfully.

Because deep down, he wasn’t sure Selene was wrong.

And then, everything changed.

A scream tore loudly through the territory.

Sharp. Sudden and Terrifying.

Every head snapped toward the sound.

Another scream followed closely.

“East border!” someone shouted.

Kael moved instantly.

“Stay here,” he ordered.

But Aria didn’t listen.

She ran.

What she saw, stopped her completely.

A wolf lying on the ground, convulsing.

His body twisted unnaturally, claws digging into the earth as a low, broken growl tore from his throat.

His eyes glowed faintly.

Aria’s breath caught.

“No.”

Another wolf collapsed beside him.

Then another… Panic spread immediately.

What’s happening to them?

They are losing control.

“It’s spreading!”

Selene’s voice cut through in the middle of the chaos.

“Get them back! Now!”

But it was already too late.

The wolves weren’t just losing control, they were changing.

Their movements became erratic.

Just like Kael had described.

Just like… His mate.

Aria’s heart pounded violently.

“No…no, this isn’t me.”

But deep inside, something responded.

Something dark. Something powerful and terrifying.

Kael’s eyes snapped back to her.

Not with anger, but with realization.

“You feel it,” he said.

It was not a question.

Aria’s breath shook.

“I didn’t do this.”

But her voice lacked certainty.

Because the moment those wolves collapsed, her power had reacted.

Like a trigger.

Like a connection.

Selene stepped between them.

Her eyes locked onto Aria.

“This is because of you.”

The words hit like a verdict.

“I didn’t.”

You do not control it, Selene cut in. “And that makes you more dangerous.”

The wolves behind them growled.

Turning toward Aria, not Kael.

Not to the others.

But her.

The realization hit all at once.

They’re reacting to me, she whispered.

Kael stepped forward.

“Aria.”

“Don’t,” she said.

Her voice shook.

“They are going to attack.” And they did.

The first wolf lunged.

Fast. Uncontrolled.

Kael moved instantly, but Aria was faster.

Her power exploded outward.

Silver light slammed into the wolf in midair.

Throwing him back violently.

Silence followed.

The wolves froze.

The pack started.

And this time…

There was no doubt left.

No question.

No hesitation.

They were all afraid of her.

Aria stood in the center of it all.

Breathing hard and shaking.

Power still crackling beneath her skin.

And then… Selene said the words that changed everything.

“She’s the source.”

“She needs to be contained.”

The word echoed.

Aria’s heart stopped.

“What?”

Selene didn’t look away.

“For the safety of the pack.”

Kael’s expression darkened immediately.

“No.”

Selene met his gaze.

You don’t have a choice.

Tension exploded between them.

Power against power.

And Aria, stood between them.

Because this time

She was not just unwanted.

She was the enemy.

The pack turns on Aria and decides she must be contained.

A low murmur rippled through the pack.

Not disagreement. No hesitation.

Aria felt it like a blade on her chest.

They were not just afraid of her anymore.

They had already decided.

“She’s too dangerous.”

We can’t risk it.

If she loses control again.

“I said no.”

Kael’s voice cut through the noise like a command carved in steel.

The murmurs stopped immediately.

Every wolf went still.

But the tension didn’t disappear.

It thickened, because this time, the pack did not fully submit.

Selene stepped forward again, her expression unwavering.

“You’re asking them to trust something you don’t even understand,” she said.

Kael didn’t look away from her.

I’m asking them to trust me.

Then Selene said the one thing no one else has ever dared to say.

“And what if you’re wrong?”

Aria’s breath caught.

Because of that question, it was not just for him.

It was for everyone.

Kael’s jaw tightened.

“I won’t be.”

Selene’s face hardened.

That’s not an answer.

Their eyes locked.

Power against power.

And for the first time, the balance shifted.

Because this was not just a disagreement.

This was indeed a challenge.

“You’re letting your emotions decide,” Selene continued.

Kael’s expression darkened.

This isn’t about emotion.

“Then what is it?” she pushed.

And that silence…

Said everything.

Selene’s voice dropped.

“Say it.”

Kael didn’t move.

“Say it, Kael.”

Aria’s heart pounded.

Something was coming.

Something she was not ready to hear.

Selene turned sharply towards the pack.

Her voice rang out, clear and unyielding.

“Your Alpha is compromised.”

Gasps rippled through the crowd.

Aria froze.

“What?”

Kael’s power surged instantly.

“Enough.”

But Selene didn’t stop.

“He’s putting her above the pack,” she continued. “Above your safety. Above your lives.”

That’s not true, Kael snapped.

“Then prove it.”

The challenge landed hard.

Heavy and unavoidable.

Selene stepped closer.

Lowering her voice this time.

But loud enough for everyone to hear.

“If she loses control again…”

“Will you kill her?”

The world went silent instantly.

Aria’s breath stopped.

Her eyes snapped to Kael.

Everyone was waiting.

The entire pack.

Because this…This was the truth they really needed.

Kael didn’t answer immediately.

And that hesitation…

Destroyed everything.

Aria felt it.

That moment.

That c***k.

That doubt.

It spread through the pack like fire.

“He won’t”

“He can’t”

“He’s already chosen”

The whispers returned.

Aria took a slow step back.

Then another.

Her chest tightened painfully.

“This is why I shouldn’t be here,” she said quietly.

Kael turned to her instantly.

“Aria”

“No.”

Her voice was firmer now.

Even as her heart was broken.

“You were right about one thing.”

“I am dangerous.”

Kael shook his head.

“That’s not true.”

But I won’t be your weakness.

The words hit harder than any attack.

Before anyone could stop her.

Aria turned and ran.

“Stop her!” someone shouted.

Kael moved instantly.

But Selene stepped in front of him.

Blocking his path.

“Move.”

Her voice didn’t waver.

“If you go after her now,” she said, “you prove my point.”

Kael’s eyes burned with restrained fury.

She’s not safe out there.

And we are not safe with her here.

The words clashed between them.

Just like they had from the beginning.

For a single moment.

Kael hesitated.

And that moment.

It was all it took.

By the time he pushed past Selene…

Aria was gone.