Chapter 15: The Shadows of the Past
The night air was thick with tension.
Aria's heart pounded as Kael tensed beside her, his silver eyes locked onto the bloodied warrior who had stumbled into the courtyard. The pack had gathered, sensing danger, their low growls rippling through the night like an approaching storm.
"Who's coming?" Kael demanded, his voice sharp as steel.
The warrior coughed, gripping his side where deep claw marks marred his flesh. "They're not just after you, Alpha." His gaze flickered to Aria. "They want her too."
A chill ran down Aria's spine.
Kael turned to his warriors. "Prepare for battle." His voice was cold, final. Within moments, the pack shifted, their massive wolves prowling toward the borders.
Aria swallowed hard. "Who are they?"
Kael didn't answer immediately. Instead, he stepped closer, his presence overwhelming. "Stay behind me. No matter what."
Before she could argue, a howl split the night.
Then another.
Then dozens.
The ground trembled as a swarm of dark wolves emerged from the treeline, their glowing red eyes locked onto Kael's pack. At their center stood a figure in human form—Caleb.
Aria's blood ran cold.
Her ex-mate.
Alive.
And he wasn't alone.
"Aria," Caleb called out, voice dripping with malice. "You didn't think you could just disappear, did you?"
Kael stepped in front of her, his body taut with barely restrained fury. "Step any closer and I'll tear you apart."
Caleb laughed, his gaze flicking between them. "Ah, so this is where you ran to? With him?" He sneered. "I should have killed you when I had the chance."
Kael lunged.
In the blink of an eye, he had shifted mid-air, his massive black wolf colliding with Caleb's warriors. The battlefield erupted into chaos.
Aria barely had time to react before a rogue charged at her.
She stumbled back, but something ignited within her. A pulse of heat surged from her wrist—the mark.
The rogue lunged.
And suddenly, a wave of invisible force exploded from Aria's body, sending the wolf flying back with a pained yelp.
She gasped, staring at her hands, the mark glowing with a strange energy.
"What… was that?"
But there was no time to question it. Another enemy was already coming for her.