She sat on the floor beside her bed until dawn, staring at the silver mark on her wrist.
The voice had disappeared.
The vision had vanished.
But the words remained.
Ask him why he was the one holding the sword.
She couldn’t stop seeing it.
Kael.
Blood covering his clothes.
A sword in his hand.
Her father lying on the ground.
Her mother’s pendant beside him.
Aria pressed both hands against her temples.
“No.”
She shook her head.
“It wasn’t real.”
But a small voice inside her whispered otherwise.
The worst part wasn’t the possibility that Kael had killed her father.
It was the way he had looked at her when she asked about her parents.
He hadn’t been surprised.
He had been guilty.
A knock sounded.
Aria quickly stood.
“Come in.”
Mira entered carrying a tray.
She stopped when she saw Aria’s face.
“You look terrible.”
“I had a vision.”
Mira’s expression changed.
“What kind?”
“I saw Kael.”
Mira immediately placed the tray down.
“What did you see?”
“He was holding a sword.”
Mira said nothing.
“Blood was everywhere.”
Still nothing.
Aria stepped closer.
“Tell me the truth.”
Mira looked away.
“About what?”
“My father.”
Silence.
Aria’s stomach tightened.
“You know something.”
“I know what everyone knows.”
“Then tell me.”
Mira sighed.
“Your father was named Lucian.”
Aria froze.
She had never heard that name.
“Lucian Nightshade?”
Mira nodded.
“He was the last known male heir of the Nightshade bloodline.”
“What happened to him?”
Mira’s eyes became distant.
“He disappeared before you were born.”
“Disappeared?”
“That’s what we were told.”
“Did he die?”
“We don’t know.”
Aria stared at her.
“You’re telling me no one knows whether my father is alive?”
Mira shook her head.
“Your mother never spoke about him after she came here.”
“Why?”
“I don’t know.”
“You’re lying.”
Mira’s expression hardened.
“Aria.”
“Everyone lies to me!”
Her voice cracked.
“My entire life, everyone has decided what I should know.”
Mira stepped toward her.
“Your mother was trying to protect you.”
“From what?”
Mira hesitated.
“From the truth.”
Aria laughed bitterly.
“Apparently the truth is dangerous.”
“It can be.”
A deep voice came from the doorway.
Both women turned.
Kael stood there.
His expression was unreadable.
Mira immediately bowed.
“Your Majesty.”
Aria didn’t bow.
She stared at him.
“You promised to tell me everything.”
Kael looked at Mira.
“Leave.”
Mira hesitated.
“Your Majesty—”
“Leave.”
She obeyed.
The door closed.
Aria folded her arms.
“You know about my father.”
Kael didn’t answer.
“You knew his name.”
“Yes.”
“Was he alive when I was born?”
Kael’s jaw tightened.
“Yes.”
Aria’s heart stopped.
“Where is he now?”
Kael remained silent.
“Where is my father?”
“I don’t know.”
“You just said he was alive.”
“When you were born.”
Aria’s eyes narrowed.
“What happened?”
Kael looked toward the window.
“He disappeared.”
“Like my mother?”
“Yes.”
“Did they disappear together?”
“No.”
Aria studied him.
“Then what happened to him?”
Kael finally looked at her.
“Your father was hunted.”
“By who?”
“The same people hunting you.”
“The Blood Moon Clan?”
“Among others.”
Aria’s chest tightened.
“Why?”
“Because Lucian knew something they didn’t want revealed.”
“What?”
Kael walked toward the table.
He poured himself a glass of water.
“Your father discovered that the Nightshade bloodline wasn’t extinct.”
Aria frowned.
“That doesn’t make sense.”
“It does if everyone believed you died.”
Her eyes widened.
“They thought I was dead?”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“Because your mother told them you were.”
“She lied about me?”
“To save you.”
Kael placed the glass down.
“After you were born, assassins came looking for you.”
“Who sent them?”
“We never discovered the true mastermind.”
“Never?”
“No.”
Aria stepped closer.
“But you protected me.”
“Yes.”
“Then why did you let me grow up believing I was wolfless?”
Kael’s expression darkened.
“Because your wolf was sealed.”
“By whom?”
“Your mother.”
“Why?”
“Because your wolf could be tracked.”
Aria looked down at her wrist.
“The seal is broken now.”
“Yes.”
“Because of Damon?”
Kael nodded slowly.
“The rejection damaged the seal.”
Aria’s heart tightened.
“Then he really did trigger this.”
“Yes.”
“Did he know?”
Kael didn’t answer.
“Kael.”
“He knew you were different.”
“How much?”
“Enough.”
Aria clenched her fists.
“Why didn’t he tell me?”
“Because the Alpha of Shadow Moon was under orders.”
“Whose orders?”
Kael’s eyes hardened.
“Mine.”
Silence.
Aria stared at him.
“You ordered Damon to reject me?”
Kael didn’t deny it.
“Yes.”
Her mouth fell open.
“You…”
Her eyes filled with tears.
“You ruined my life.”
“I protected it.”
“You humiliated me!”
“I know.”
“You let everyone think I was worthless!”
“I know.”
“You made the man I loved reject me!”
Kael’s expression remained calm, but something in his eyes shifted.
“Yes.”
Aria slapped him.
The sound echoed through the room.
Kael didn’t move.
Aria’s hand trembled.
“I hate you.”
“I know.”
“Why?”
“Because if Damon had accepted you, the bond would have awakened your bloodline too early.”
Aria stared at him.
“What would have happened?”
“You would have died.”
The anger in her face faltered.
“What?”
Kael’s voice softened.
“Your body wasn’t ready.”
“The mate bond would have connected your wolf to Damon’s.”
“And?”
“The Blood Moon Clan would have sensed you.”
Aria swallowed.
“Would they have killed me?”
“No.”
Kael looked directly into her eyes.
“They would have used you.”
“For what?”
“To open the Moon Gate.”
Aria frowned.
“What is the Moon Gate?”
Kael’s face became grim.
“A doorway.”
“To where?”
“Another realm.”
Aria felt a chill.
“What lives there?”
Kael’s voice lowered.
“Things that should never return.”
Before Aria could ask another question, a horn sounded outside.
Once.
Twice.
Three times.
Kael immediately turned toward the window.
“What is that?”
“The eastern watchtower.”
He moved toward the door.
Aria followed.
“What’s happening?”
Kael looked back.
“The Shadow Moon Pack.”
Aria froze.
“My pack?”
“They’re under attack.”
Her heart dropped.
“By the Blood Moon Clan?”
Kael nodded.
“Why?”
“Because they know you’re here.”
Aria ran toward the door.
“I’m going with you.”
“No.”
“They’re my people.”
“They rejected you.”
“They’re still my people!”
Kael caught her wrist.
Aria looked down at his hand.
“Let go.”
“Aria.”
“Let go.”
He released her.
She looked him directly in the eyes.
“I’ve already lost my home.”
Her voice shook.
“I’m not going to sit here while people die because of me.”
Kael studied her for several seconds.
Then he nodded.
“Fine.”
Aria blinked.
“Really?”
“You’re coming.”
He reached for his sword.
“But you stay beside me.”
“I can fight.”
“I know.”
He looked at her silver eyes.
“That’s what worries me.”
The journey to Shadow Moon took nearly an hour.
Kael and his warriors moved through the forest at incredible speed.
Aria rode beside him, trying to control the strange energy pulsing through her body.
Every few minutes, she felt her wolf stirring.
They’re afraid. Enjoying the story? Read on at g.com.
Aria closed her eyes.
“Who?”
The others.
“What others?”
No answer.
She opened her eyes.
Kael was watching her.
“You heard her.”
Aria frowned.
“Heard who?”
“Your wolf.”
Aria stiffened.
“You can hear her?”
“No.”
“Then how did you know?”
Kael looked forward.
“I can see it in your eyes.”
Before Aria could respond, a massive explosion lit up the horizon.
The Shadow Moon Pack was burning.
Aria’s heart stopped.
“No.”
She urged her horse forward.
Kael grabbed the reins.
“Wait.”
“My people!”
“Aria!”
She pulled against his grip.
Then a howl echoed across the valley.
It was followed by dozens more.
Kael’s warriors stopped.
The air smelled of smoke.
Blood.
And something else.
Fear.
Aria stared at the burning pack.
The place she had called home was being destroyed.
She saw wolves running through the streets.
Buildings collapsing.
Families fleeing.
Her childhood home stood in flames.
Tears filled her eyes.
“They’re doing this because of me.”
Kael shook his head.
“No.”
“They want me.”
“They want what is inside you.”
A figure suddenly appeared on the hill above them.
Aria recognized him.
Damon.
His clothes were covered in blood.
His face was bruised.
He looked toward the Lycan King.
Then his eyes found Aria.
For several seconds, he said nothing.
His expression broke.
“Aria…”
She stared at him.
The man who had rejected her.
The man who had broken her heart.
The man she had loved for years.
He stepped forward.
“I was wrong.”
Aria’s chest tightened.
Kael moved between them.
Damon’s eyes hardened.
“You.”
Kael raised his sword.
“Stay away from her.”
Damon looked at Aria again.
“I’m sorry.”
She laughed bitterly.
“You’re sorry?”
“I didn’t have a choice.”
“You always have a choice.”
His expression crumbled.
“Aria, please.”
“Don’t.”
She stepped forward.
“Don’t call my name like you still have the right.”
Damon swallowed.
“The rejection wasn’t what you think.”
“You rejected me.”
“I was ordered to.”
“By Kael?”
Damon looked at the king.
Silence.
Aria’s eyes filled with tears.
“So it’s true.”
Damon nodded.
“I was told that if I accepted you, they would find you.”
“And you decided humiliating me was easier?”
“I thought I was saving you.”
“You broke me.”
“I know.”
Damon’s voice cracked.
“I’ve regretted it every day.”
Aria didn’t answer.
Then something strange happened.
The silver mark on her wrist began glowing.
Damon’s eyes widened.
“Your wolf…”
Aria heard the voice inside her again.
Mate.
She froze.
No.
Not again.
The word echoed through her mind.
Mate.
Aria’s breathing became unsteady.
Damon stepped toward her.
“Aria…”
Kael immediately drew his sword.
“Don’t.”
Damon stopped.
But his eyes remained fixed on her.
The bond she thought had been destroyed…
Was still there.
Weak.
Broken.
But alive.
Aria looked between Damon and Kael.
Her heart pounded.
Then the sky above the Shadow Moon Pack turned black.
A massive symbol appeared within the clouds.
A black crescent surrounded by blood-red flames.
Kael’s expression changed.
“The Blood Moon has begun.”
Damon looked terrified.
“What does that mean?”
Kael’s grip tightened around his sword.
“It means they aren’t here for Aria anymore.”
Aria stared at him.
“Then what do they want?”
Kael looked toward the burning pack.
His voice was barely a whisper.
“They’re trying to wake the creature beneath the Moon Gate.”
A deafening roar shook the earth.
Every wolf in the valley dropped to its knees.
Aria’s silver eyes flashed.
And somewhere beneath the mountains…
Something ancient opened its eyes.