The attack had been small,well planned. A strike at the border of Ronan's territory, timed perfectly with the shifting of his patrol routes. Three of his scouts taken out before they even scented danger. One left alive, barely.
But the message was loud.
And Ronan heard it.
The air inside the Alpha's war room was thick with tension. Smoke curled from the fireplace, but no warmth reached the cold in his eyes. The injured scout knelt in the center of the room, trembling, blood matting his fur in patches.
"She was there," the scout whispered. "I saw her. White wolf. Silent. But she looked at me"
"You ran," Ronan cut in, voice sharp like the edge of a blade.
"I—she—she's with Kael. They knew our route. She—"the scout said stammeringly
Ronan's hand snapped out faster than anyone could blink. The scout's head twisted with a sickening crack, and his body slumped to the floor.
Silence.
His Beta flinched but didn't speak.
"Burn the body," Ronan ordered angrily. "Let the others see what happens when they show signs of weakness ."
He turned toward the window, watching the distant stretch of his lands, the forest a shadowy blur.
"She wants war," he said softly. "She's no longer hiding."
His Beta nodded slowly. "She's dangerous now."
Ronan smiled. "Good. She'll be more fun to break."
He stepped away from the window, voice low with menace. "Double the scouts. I want eyes on Kael's borders. I want her movements tracked. If she steps outside his walls, I want to know before her foot hits the floor."
"And when we find her?"
Ronan didn't look back.
"She belongs to me. Bring her back alive."
Meanwhile, deep in Kael's territory, the war room buzzed with energy.
Aria stood at the head of the table, surrounded by warriors. Her eyes scanned the map—her map—reworked with new patrol routes and layered defenses. Her presence commanded attention, no longer a quiet shadow but the architect of their offense an saviour.
Kael leaned beside her, watching as she adjusted the next phase of the plan.
"You should rest," he murmured. "You've done enough for tonight."
She shook her head.
Not until he bleeds.
Kael's gaze darkened. "He will."
There was a pause. Aria looked up at him, something unspoken in her eyes.
Do you think I've become like him?
He blinked. "No. You're nothing like him."
I want revenge.
He nodded. "So do I. But we'll take it with strategy, not rage. That's what makes us different."
Aria studied him for a long moment, then slowly nodded.
Outside, the full moon still hung in the sky, its silver glow filtering through the trees. Aria slipped away from the others and wandered the training grounds, the weight of her thoughts pressing against her chest.
Memories of Ronan clawed at her. The mark he'd left—unseen but still burning. The nights she couldn't sleep, the cold way he'd touched her, claimed her, silenced her.
But she wasn't that girl anymore.
A rustle from the trees drew her attention. She tensed, eyes narrowing.
"It's just me," came Lina's voice as she stepped into view. "Didn't mean to sneak up."
Aria relaxed, slightly.
"You did well today," Lina said. "The wolves believe and trust in you."
Aria signed slowly. I don't care if they believe. I care if we win.
Lina nodded with a crooked smile. "You remind me of Kael."
Aria raised an eyebrow.
"Stubborn. Relentless. Strategic. Always five steps ahead."
There was a pause, then Lina tilted her head. "Do you trust him?"
Yes. Aria signed without hesitation. But it felt like more than that.
"Do you… want him?"
The question lingered.
Aria turned her face toward the moon.
I don't know. I don't want to need anyone again.
Lina softened. "That's fair. But you should know… you're not alone anymore. We'll fight with you. For you."
Aria's throat tightened.
Not for me, she signed. For the ones still trapped. Still marked.
Lina nodded. "Then we'll start with Ronan."
In the heart of the forest, Ronan stood before a mirror. His reflection shimmered in the low candlelight powerful, cruel, composed.
"She thinks she's untouchable," he murmured. "She forgets who broke her."
He touched the silver scar on his wrist—the one she'd left during their final night.
His jaw tightened.
"She'll remember."
Back in Kael's camp, Aria returned to her cabin, exhaustion sinking into her bones. As she reached for the door, she froze.
A note pinned to the wood.
It was scrawled in familiar handwriting.
I never let go.
She turned it over. On the back: a black crescent, drawn in blood.
Her fingers curled around the paper, crumpling it.
She didn't scream.
She didn't cry.
She turned, eyes ablaze, and walked toward Kael's quarters.
He opened the door, surprised. "Aria?"
She handed him the note.
His face darkened.
"He's taunting you."
She met his gaze, and for the first time, her hands didn't shake when she signed.
Then let him come.
Because I'm done hiding.