The cabin was eerily quiet that evening, the only sound being the faint rustle of leaves outside and the crackling of the fire. Aria had been pacing for what felt like hours, unable to shake the feeling that something was amiss. Her mind was still reeling from the discovery that Kael had been hiding something from her—something big. But it wasn't just that; it was the unsettling sense of danger that lingered in the air, growing thicker with each passing moment.
She had tried to talk to Kael about it. Tried to push him to open up, but he remained distant, as if holding onto some unspoken truth that he could never share.
The door creaked open, and Aria's heart skipped a beat. Kael stepped inside, his face pale, his eyes shadowed by the weight of whatever he had just learned. He locked eyes with her for a brief moment before quickly averting his gaze.
"Kael…" Her voice faltered as she stepped toward him, her heart aching with the need to know what he had been hiding.
He didn't respond immediately. Instead, he moved toward the small table in the corner of the room and placed a weathered leather-bound book on top of it. Aria frowned, sensing the importance of whatever was in that book.
"You should sit down," Kael said, his voice rough, almost too quiet. "There's something you need to know."
A chill ran through her. She felt as though the room had suddenly grown colder, more oppressive. Something dark was coming, and it was far worse than she had anticipated.
Kael slowly sat down at the table, running a hand through his hair, clearly torn. Aria followed suit, sitting across from him, her gaze fixed on the book.
"What is it?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
Kael hesitated for a moment, as if weighing the decision to speak. He let out a slow breath before looking her in the eyes.
"Seraphina isn't just after you because of your powers," he began, his voice low and heavy with regret. "She's after something much darker. Your bloodline, Aria… it's not just linked to the curse—it's tied to something far older, far more dangerous."
Aria's pulse quickened. She had suspected as much, but hearing Kael confirm it only made the weight of the situation hit her harder.
"What do you mean?" she asked, trying to keep her voice steady.
Kael reached for the book and opened it to a page that had clearly been well-worn by time. He traced his fingers over the ancient text, his eyes scanning the words as though searching for something.
"This is an account of my family's curse," he said, his voice trembling slightly. "And it's not just mine—it's yours too."
Aria's heart skipped a beat. She had always known there was something special about her bloodline, something her family had kept hidden from her. But she never imagined it would be connected to Kael's curse in this way.
Kael looked up from the book, his eyes meeting hers with a haunted look.
"Seraphina was born as part of a prophecy," he continued, his words slow and deliberate. "But it wasn't just about her. Your sister, Aria… she's the key. Your family, your lineage… it's what makes her powerful enough to control the curse."
Aria recoiled, her mind struggling to comprehend the gravity of his words. Her sister? The same woman who had tormented her, betrayed her, and manipulated her every chance she got?
"Seraphina is trying to unlock the power of the curse," Kael explained, his voice heavy with the weight of the truth. "She believes that by using your bloodline, she can become stronger—more powerful than anyone, including me. And she won't stop until she gets what she wants."
The words hit Aria like a punch to the gut. Her sister wasn't just a threat to her—she was a threat to everything. To Kael. To the pack. To the entire balance of power in the world they inhabited.
"And you…" Aria began, her voice shaking. "What does this mean for us? For me?"
Kael's eyes softened as he reached across the table to take her hand. The warmth of his touch grounded her, but it couldn't stop the storm that raged inside her.
"The truth is, Aria," Kael said, his voice barely a whisper, "I didn't want you to get involved in this. I never wanted you to be a part of my curse. I didn't want you to suffer because of it. But now… now I'm afraid it's too late."
Aria stared at him, trying to make sense of the flood of emotions rushing through her. He was afraid. Afraid of what she might become. Afraid of what Seraphina might do to her.
"Kael, I don't care about the curse," Aria said, her voice more resolute than she felt. "I care about you. I care about us."
Kael's eyes darkened at her words, but there was no denial in his gaze. Instead, he stood up abruptly, walking away from the table and pacing the room.
"You don't understand," he muttered to himself. "You don't know what Seraphina will do to you. What she's already planning. You're in more danger than you realize."
Aria stood, her own frustration boiling over. She grabbed his arm, forcing him to face her.
"I do understand," she said, her voice trembling but strong. "I'm in this with you, Kael. Whether you like it or not. I won't walk away. I won't let you face this alone."
Kael's jaw clenched as he turned his gaze to the floor. For a long moment, he said nothing. But when he finally spoke, his voice was thick with emotion.
"You don't know what you're asking for, Aria," he said softly. "This isn't just about us anymore. This is a battle between bloodlines, between destinies. And I can't bear the thought of you getting hurt because of something I started."
Aria's heart ached at his words, but she wasn't about to back down.
"I want to help," she said firmly, stepping closer to him. "I want to be a part of this, Kael. I am a part of it."
Kael looked at her then, his eyes softening as he reached out to touch her cheek. The warmth of his hand sent a shiver down her spine.
"You don't have to do this," he murmured, but there was a sadness in his eyes that made her heart break. "But I can't stop you. I've never been able to."
Aria swallowed hard, her mind spinning with everything she had just learned. Her sister. The curse. Kael's past. The weight of it all was too much, but she had no choice now. She couldn't walk away. Not when Kael needed her the most.
Just as she opened her mouth to speak again, a loud bang echoed from outside the cabin, followed by the unmistakable sound of footsteps approaching. Aria's heart leapt into her throat as she exchanged a look with Kael.
"Stay close," Kael whispered, his eyes flashing with a sudden, intense focus. "We need to prepare."
As they moved toward the door, Aria felt a surge of adrenaline. She had no idea who was coming, but she knew one thing for certain: the battle had only just begun.