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Chapter 4 - Chapter Four: Shadows Among Us

The moon was a sliver of ice overhead as Aria lay awake, her body still buzzing from the revelations of the day and the heat of the night before. Beside her, Kael slept soundly, his arm wrapped protectively around her waist. But her mind churned like a storm.

Celene.

Her stepsister's name curled in her thoughts like smoke—unseen, suffocating. If she was truly among them, disguised, then nothing was safe.

At dawn, Aria met with Kellan in secret near the eastern watchtower.

"Still no sign?" she asked.

He shook his head. "Whoever's spying is good. Slips between shifts, leaves no scent. Eira's casting scrying spells tonight, but…"

"But Celene's smart. She was trained by Mircella."

They exchanged a look.

"You'll need help," Kellan said. "Someone who knows how to unmask spies."

He whistled sharply. From the woods emerged a woman with ink-dark skin, tightly coiled silver hair, and eyes like starlight.

"Aria, meet Nyla. Former assassin. My cousin."

"Retired assassin," Nyla corrected. "Now I prefer spy-catching."

"Welcome to the chaos," Aria muttered.

Nyla smirked. "Let's find your snake."

---

They set a trap that night. A coded message about Kael's absence was passed quietly through the camp, whispered among guards and warriors. Aria pretended to argue with Kael before 'storming off' to the southern woods.

Hidden in the treetops, Nyla waited with a dagger. Kellan crouched nearby with bow drawn.

Aria played her role well—stalking through the trees, loudly muttering about prideful Alphas and ruined plans. Then she paused beneath a cluster of ferns, just loud enough.

Minutes passed. Then...

Snap.

A shadow moved. Quick. Too quick for any ordinary scout.

Aria darted forward—intentionally leaving her pack exposed.

The figure lunged for it.

Nyla dropped.

Steel met steel in the moonlight. Sparks flew. Kellan loosed an arrow, grazing the spy's shoulder.

She shrieked—a piercing, all-too-familiar sound.

Celene.

Her glamour shattered as she tumbled across the ground. Gone were the leathers of a rogue. In their place: a gown of woven shadows, her golden hair braided with thorns.

"You!" Aria hissed.

Celene sneered. "You're stronger than you look, half-blood. But not strong enough."

A blast of fire erupted from her palm. Kellan yanked Aria down just in time.

"RUN!" he shouted.

The forest exploded into chaos. Celene's magic twisted trees and burned the air. Nyla vanished into shadow, reappearing behind Celene and slashing at her throat—but Celene spun, deflecting the blade with a snarl.

Aria rose, eyes glowing gold.

The shift came effortlessly this time—bones stretching, claws erupting, fur rippling across her body.

She lunged as a wolf—silent, sleek, deadly.

Celene screamed as Aria tackled her into the ground, jaws at her throat.

"I should kill you," Aria growled in her mind.

"But you won't," Celene whispered aloud. "You need me alive."

In the chaos, a flash of dark mist enveloped her. And just like that—she was gone.

---

Back at camp, Kael was livid.

"She was right under our noses. She could have murdered you."

Aria stood tall. "She won't next time. I'll be ready."

Kael stared at her—saw the fire in her eyes. He stepped closer, cupping her face.

"I don't want to lose you."

"You won't."

They kissed—soft, slow, full of unsaid promises.

But the night was far from over.

Eira summoned them both.

"I've seen a vision," the seer whispered. "A temple in ruins. A crown of ash. And a betrayal from within that will shatter the bond."

Aria's blood chilled. "What betrayal?"

Eira looked away. "You must be careful. Not all your allies are loyal."

---

Elsewhere in the woods, a figure knelt before a flaming mirror.

"My lady," they whispered. "The trap failed. But the girl is growing stronger."

Mircella's voice echoed from the fire. "Then we strike from within. Her heart is her weakness. We use it to destroy her."

The traitor nodded, eyes reflecting flame.

Back at the camp, Kael pulled Aria close in their shared tent.

"Whatever's coming," he murmured, "we'll face it together."

Aria nodded. "Together."

But the shadow of betrayal already loomed over them.

To be continued...

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