chapter four

Chapter Four

~~Aria pov~~

The Silvercrest pack house felt different the moment I stepped into the hallway the next morning. The air buzzed with restless energy, like a hive on the verge of swarming. Wolves clustered together in tight groups, voices low and urgent, eyes bright with a mixture of fear and excitement that made my skin prickle.

I kept my head down and moved toward the stairs, hoping to pass unnoticed. But fragments of conversation reached me anyway.

“It was confirmed himself.”

“He is arriving within the week.”

“Twenty years. No one has seen him in twenty years.”

Then someone whispered the words that seemed to drain the sound from the corridor.

“The Alpha King.”

My steps slowed despite myself. My chest tightened as I was lost in the memories of the dream yesterday. Golden eyes. Power that pressed down on my soul. A sense of loss so deep it had hurt even after I woke.

I forced myself to keep walking.

Dreams were just dreams. They meant nothing.

At least, that was what I told myself. Trying to divert my thoughts from it.

The dining hall was worse.

Nearly the entire pack had gathered for breakfast, though hardly anyone was eating. Plates sat untouched as wolves leaned across tables, trading stories and rumors with animated expressions. Excitement and fear tangled together until the room felt thick with it.

I grabbed a piece of toast and poured myself a cup of coffee, planning to hide in a quiet corner. I barely made it three steps before Stephen’s booming voice carried across the room.

“My father was there the last time Lyrian Blackthorn visited a pack,” he announced, standing like he was performing for an audience. Every conversation fell silent. “Twelve territorial Alphas were present. Wolves who had been fighting each other for dominance for years. The Alpha King walked in and said nothing. Not a single word. He just looked at them.”

Stephen paused, clearly enjoying the attention.

“Within thirty seconds every Alpha was on their knees with their heads bowed. Alpha Grayson from Eastern Ridge tried to resist. Tried to stay standing.” Stephen shook his head slowly. “The King’s eyes flashed gold and Grayson’s own wolf forced him down. He could not shift for a week afterward. His wolf was too terrified.”

A murmur rippled through the hall. Awe. Fear. Reverence.

“That is nothing,” Tessa said, clutching her phone like it was sacred. “I found a post from a wolf who survived the Blackwater Pack incident. She said Lyrian Blackthorn wiped out an entire pack in one night. Sixty wolves. Alone.”

“Why would he do that?” someone asked quietly.

“They were trafficking humans. Selling them to rogue packs.” Tessa scrolled. “The King entered their territory at midnight. By dawn there was no one left. Wolves from nearby packs said the forest burned for three days. His rage was so powerful it manifested as fire.”

“That is impossible,” Kyle said, though he did not sound convinced. “Wolf can't…”

“He is not just any wolf,” an older warrior said grimly. “The Blackthorn bloodline is ancient. They say it traces back to the first wolves who walked beside the Moon Goddess herself. Every few generations one is born with power that defies nature. Lyrian Blackthorn is the strongest in five hundred years.”

Silence settled over the room, heavy and suffocating.

“They say he is cursed,” a young she wolf whispered.

“What kind of curse?” Tessa asked eagerly.

“No one knows. Only that he does not age like normal wolves. That he has lived far longer than he should have. And that he has been searching for something for decades. Something he lost.”

“Or someone,” Stephen added softly.

“Well, I think it is romantic,” Tessa sighed. “A powerful king searching for his lost love.”

“It is not romantic if he burns down anyone who gets in his way,” Kyle muttered.

“Why is he coming here?” someone asked.

“He is visiting all major packs,” Stephen said. “Meeting Alphas. Assessing territories. And he is also looking for a mate.”

The shift was instant.

Every unmated she wolf straightened, eyes glowing with ambition.

“A mate,” Tessa whispered. “Can you imagine being chosen by the Alpha King. You would be Luna Queen.”

“You would also live with someone who can burn forests,” Kyle said.

“Power always comes with risk,” an older she wolf replied dreamily.

I had heard enough.

I stood and left my toast untouched. I was almost at the door when Clara’s voice sliced through the room.

“Well, I think we all know who he will choose.”

I did not need to turn around to know she had arrived.

Clara stood in the doorway, flawless as always. Designer clothes. Perfect hair. Confidence radiating from her like a crown she believed she already wore.

“The Alpha King will not choose just anyone,” she said smoothly. “He will want someone worthy. Someone powerful. Beautiful. Strong. Someone who can stand beside him.”

She placed a hand on her chest.

“Someone like me.”

Murmurs followed. Agreement or fear. It was hard to tell.

“I have trained for this my entire life,” Clara continued. “Being Luna Queen is my destiny.”

I tried to slip past unnoticed, but her eyes locked onto me.

“Aria,” she called sweetly. “Do you not want to hear how your sister will become the most powerful Luna in the world?”

Every gaze turned toward me. Pity. Contempt. Familiar and heavy.

“I am happy for you,” I said quietly.

She laughed, sharp and cruel. “Happy for me. You should be in awe. Though I suppose that is difficult when you have no wolf to understand what power really means.”

The silence hurt more than her words.

“When the Alpha King chooses me,” she continued, “you can at least say you are related to the Luna Queen. That may be the only noteworthy thing about you.”

My nails dug into my palms. I swallowed the anger burning my throat.

“I have work,” I said evenly.

“Of course you do,” she waved me off. “Some of us have important preparations to make.”

I walked out with my head high, even as my eyes burned. I don't know why her words stinks so bad.

Outside, the air was cool and clean. I breathed deeply.

One. Two. Three. Four. Five.

I would not think about golden eyes. Or dreams. Or Alpha Kings.

I had real work to do.

…

The next three days were unbearable.

Clara turned the pack house into her personal kingdom. Designers. Makeup artists. Hair stylists. Gowns everywhere. The sitting room became a boutique.

On the third evening, her shriek echoed through the halls.

“This shade of gold is wrong. I need something richer. More royal.”

I passed her door just as it flew open. A designer rushed past me clutching rejected gowns.

Inside, chaos ruled.

Dresses covered every surface. Shoes stacked like towers. Jewelry sparkled everywhere.

Clara stood in the center wearing a crimson gown, studying herself critically.

“Aria,” she called. “Come here.”

“I think I..”

“Aria am already pissed up so please don't even add to it. Come in already” she said tiredly

Reluctantly, I stepped inside.

“What do you think?” she asked, turning slowly. “Does this say Luna Queen?”

“It is beautiful,” I said honestly.

“Beautiful isn’t enough,” Clara snapped. “I need to be breathtaking. I need him to take one look at me and forget every other she-wolf exists.” She turned back to the mirror, smoothing

her hands down the dress’s sides. “This has to be perfect. Everything has to be perfect.”

“I’m sure it will be,” Aria said, edging toward the door.

“Wait.”