Aria sat by the window, staring into the dense forest that surrounded Kael's castle. The moonlight painted the trees silver, casting long, eerie shadows. Her mind was restless, plagued by flashes of memories—visions that didn't feel like her own.
Lately, the whispers had grown stronger. They called to her in her sleep, urging her to remember something just beyond her grasp. But every time she tried to focus, the memories slipped away like smoke through her fingers.
Kael watched her from the doorway, arms crossed. He had noticed the way she drifted off into silence more often, the faraway look in her eyes that spoke of something deeper, something hidden. He didn't trust it.
"Can't sleep?" his voice broke the silence.
Aria jumped slightly before turning to face him. "Just thinking."
Kael stepped closer, his golden eyes narrowing as he studied her. He had a feeling she wasn't telling him everything. Something was off.
"You've been different lately," he said. "Like something's bothering you."
Aria hesitated. She wanted to confide in him, but something inside her warned against it. "It's nothing," she lied.
Kael didn't believe her.
Kael didn't push, but his jaw tightened. He hated secrets—especially when they came from her.
Aria turned back to the window, pretending she didn't feel the weight of his gaze. The truth sat heavy in her chest, but how could she tell him? That she had been hearing voices? That her dreams were filled with shadows she couldn't escape?
That she feared she was losing herself?
The cabin had been safe, but now that they were back in his pack's territory, the unease had returned. The wolves didn't trust her. She could see it in their eyes, in the way they whispered when she passed.
She wasn't one of them. And they knew it.
Kael moved closer, his presence warm despite the cold edge in his voice. "You don't have to lie to me, Aria."
She clenched her fists in her lap. "I'm not lying."
Kael sighed, running a hand through his dark hair. She was stubborn. He admired that about her, but right now, it frustrated him.
"Fine," he said. "But if you ever decide to tell me what's really going on, I'll be here."
Something in his voice made her chest tighten. He was offering her trust, despite his suspicions.
Aria wanted to take it. But how could she, when she wasn't sure she even trusted herself
Aria swallowed hard, forcing herself to look at Kael. His expression was unreadable, but the tension in his shoulders told her he was holding back.
She wanted to tell him. The words were right there, clawing at her throat. But fear held her back.
Not fear of him.
Fear of herself.
Her hands trembled as she turned away. She had felt it that night—the raw, uncontrollable power surging through her veins. It had saved them, but it had also terrified her.
Kael wouldn't understand. He saw strength in control, in discipline. What she had done… it wasn't controlled. It was something dark, something wild.
Something she didn't recognize.
Kael exhaled sharply. "You think I don't notice?" His voice was quieter now, but there was an edge to it. "The way you flinch when I get too close. The way your scent changes when you're afraid—not of me, but of yourself."
Aria's breath hitched.
"You're not alone in this," he continued. "Whatever it is, you don't have to face it alone."
Her throat tightened. She wanted to believe him. But how could she?
She had spent her whole life alone.
Before she could respond, a knock sounded at the door.
Kael tensed instantly, his eyes darkening. He moved in front of her instinctively, shielding her.
"Come in," he called, his voice sharp.
The door opened, and one of his warriors stepped inside. The man's expression was grim.
"There's been another attack."
Kael's entire body stiffened.
Aria's heart pounded. "The yellow-eyed creatures?"
The warrior nodded. "They struck one of our scouting parties. No survivors."
A cold chill ran down her spine.
Kael's jaw clenched, his hands curling into fists. "Where?"
"Near the border. They're getting closer."
Aria met Kael's gaze, and for the first time, she saw something in his eyes that she had never seen before.
Fear.
Not for himself.
For her.
And that terrified her more than anything else.
Kael turned to Aria, his voice calm but firm. "We need to leave. Now."
Aria's pulse quickened. "Where are we going?"
"To my grandmother." His gaze darkened. "She might be the only one who knows what's really happening."
Aria hesitated. Kael's grandmother was a powerful witch, and if she was anything like him, she wouldn't trust easily. But Aria needed answers. She needed to understand what was happening to her.
And deep down, she had always known this moment would come.
"I'm coming with you," she said before he could argue.
Kael sighed, rubbing his temples. "Aria—"
"I'm coming." She stepped closer, forcing him to meet her gaze. "You said I'm not alone in this. Prove it."
His jaw tightened, but after a long pause, he nodded.
They left before dawn.
The journey was brutal. The deeper they went into the mountains, the colder it became. The air was thick with tension, the silence between them heavy.
Kael was unusually quiet. Aria noticed the way his eyes constantly scanned their surroundings, the way his muscles remained coiled, as if expecting an attack at any moment.
She felt it too.
A presence.
Watching.
Waiting.
Then, just as the sun began to rise, Kael suddenly stopped.
"Something's wrong," he murmured.
Aria felt it before she saw it.
The shadows moved.
Then, they attacked.
Yellow eyes gleamed in the darkness.
Aria barely had time to react before the creatures lunged.
Kael moved fast, his claws extending as he ripped into the first attacker. But the moment his claws slashed through the creature's flesh, he staggered back, gasping in pain.
His eyes widened. "I… I can't heal."
Aria's blood ran cold.
Whatever these creatures were, they were tied to Kael's curse.
And they were trying to kill him.
Her pulse pounded. She had no choice.
The power inside her roared to life.
She didn't fight it this time.
She let it take over.
A blinding light erupted from her hands, slamming into the creatures with a force that sent them flying. They screeched in agony, their bodies twisting as the light consumed them.
Then—silence.
Kael stared at her, his breathing ragged.
Aria's hands trembled. She could still feel the power burning inside her, untamed and terrifying.
"What… are you?" Kael whispered.
Aria didn't answer.
Because she didn't know.
But one thing was certain—
Whatever she was becoming, it wasn't normal.
And it wasn't safe.