o the stone walls, flickering torchlight casting shadows in every corner. Only the most importan

his sharp eyes seeming to

ra?" he asked without b

's destined mate, I have a duty t

y glances. "You speak as if you

is duty," she said, voice sharper now. "Kael i

restless. "Wha

r. No announcements, no clarity. But their scent...

le. "That's a heavy cl

to Kael's room now. Even Rowan is restricted. But Kael

uietly, "A bond? You

"And if true, then our Al

ell. Long

that's true ... Kael has broken t

er elders. "We must act. Before the entire pack

wers slipped away, carrying a message

n a human. And rejec

he village. Kael stood before his room's window,

a summons for the Alpha's trial. Aria

because of m

because they're afraid of so

t to l

rpened. "You stay her

sat in a circle, their faces dark and

estern pack. We did not call you here as friends

ent. One by one,

announced

of a human g

nd can no longer be

Alpha has fallen for a human, how can we protect our bloodl

fall. I chose. I chose to protect

hispers fil

at statement, you admit... that t

One wor

n... we will hold your trial in

ust surrender your positi

ft the room. The sky darke

ched him. "Y

won't let th

Inside Kael's room, Aria lay awake. She stood by th

on. Rowan brought food but left soon after.

w. Leaves rustled. Light footsteps, a

Someone had picked the lock. She held her breath. A woman's fig

e meet with

trembling. "What

lance. To remove the pois

t just as she almost touched Aria, a strong force hit from the side. Kael

ed you,

rself! All for th

olding back his rage. "Touch her again, and

her shoulder. "You've lost, Kael. Even before stepping

ole pack soon knew Aria had become the target. And

from the stone tower. To an old underground chamber o

Aria stood befor

er than Lyra's claws. Kael looked at her wearily. His

you thin

rs. "Break the bond. Cut it all. Befo

eyes. "Don't say

e! You're the Alpha. You're t

loser. "You're

ore they kill you for protecting me. I'

at again. I fight because you're the only reason I'm still Al

"Then let me go. So they won't find me

f losing the only person who made him feel alive. And far away, Rowan peeked from the h

, body tense. "You know what's t

Aria w

"I hate that you're the daughter of the man wh

g her lip. "I know. That's

tone wall beside him. "Every time I want to hu

d ... it's like a curse. And I

"Then ... hate me. But let me live. Don

think I didn't try to kill y

was s

vastation. "All memories of your father vanished. All that remained was