The moon hung high over Silverpine pack, casting a bright and ethereal glow across the forested land. Tonight, the air thrummed with anticipation, buzzing with whispers, hopeful hearts, and beautiful dreams. It was the Moon Ceremony, the sacred night every untamed wolf awaited eagerly and with a strong and burning desire. And Aria Hemlock was at the center of it all.
Aria stood by the window of the pack manor, her silver hair flowing down her back like a waterfall, and her fingers trembling slightly as they toyed with her robe. Below, the pack grounds were already coming alive with flickering lanterns and glowing moonstones woven through hanging vines. The sound of drums echoed softly in the distance, steady like a heartbeat. It was beautiful and magical, but Aria’s chest felt tight.
“You should be smiling,” Leena, her cousin and best friend, grinned as she entered the room, her strawberry-blonde hair coiled in a braided crown. “You’re practically the Luna of this pack already.”
Aria gave a forced smile. “Don’t jinx it.”
Leena rolled her eyes. “Oh, please. Rhys has practically claimed you in every way except officially. You’re smart, graceful, and the daughter of Beta Dorian. It’s a done deal sealed by the moon goddess.”
Aria’s stomach twisted, not in excitement, but unease.
Yes, Rhys Nightborne, the Alpha’s son, was everything any she-wolf could dream of. Tall, powerful, charismatic. And yet…..there was something missing in their connection. Like standing beside a bonfire that gave no warmth.
Still, she nodded. “You’re right.”
Leena smiled and opened her wardrobe. “Now let’s get you ready for destiny”
**
By the time Aria stepped onto the ceremonial grounds, dressed in an emerald green gown that hugged her body in a graceful and elegant manner. The full moon had risen completely, round and watchful. Wolves from neighboring packs mingled, music echoed in soft waves, and at a high platform stood the Alphas; Alpha Cassian and Luna Mira, flanked by Rhys.
He looked every bit the future Alpha: strong jaw, golden skin kissed by the moon, midnight-black hair slicked back. But when he looked at Aria, there was no fire, just possession.
“She’s perfect,” he whispered to himself as she reached his side, pressing a soft kiss to her cheek. “Let’s not waste any time”
The elders began the traditional chants, the magic of the moon ceremony rippling through the night like an invisible mist. Aria could feel her heart pounding. If fate agreed, her wolf would stir…and match with Rhys.
So why do I feel so restless?
“Do you feel it?” Rhys asked, gripping her hand.
But before she could answer, a loud scream pierced the air.
Everyone turned.
From the edge of the woods, a massive block wolf emerged, its eyes glowing gold, body covered in old scars, and power rippling off him in violent waves. Growls erupted from the pack guards as the wolf shifted, bones cracking, fur retreating and standing in its place was a man.
Naked, unyielding and a rogue.
Gasps filled the air.
“It’s him….” Someone whispered. “The Untamed Alpha….”
He walked into the gathering like he owned it. Hair dark and wild, eyes burning with something ancient. Dangerous. Beautiful. But very deadly.
“Kael Varyn,” Alpha Cassian snarled, stepping forward. “You dare step foot on sacred grounds…”
“I’m not here for you,” Kael growled, his voice low and unbothered. “I’m here for her.”
All heads turned to stare at Aria.
Her heart stopped.
Kael pointed directly at her. “She is mine.”
Everyone fell into a stunned silence.
Rhys stepped in front of her instantly, muscles tensed. “What rubbish are you saying? You’re insane. Aria is…..”
“She’s my mate,” Kael cut in. fated and chosen by the moon goddess herself.”
“No,” Aria whispered, her throat dry. “It’s not possible…”
Her wolf, however said otherwise.
It surged forward with a jolt of recognition, like they’ve known each other for years. It was so intense that Aria stumbled. Her knees buckled. Kael’s scent of earth, rain and wild storms hit her like lightning. Her wolf howled in complete surrender.
Rhys grabbed her arm. “Don’t listen to him. You belong to me. You said yes.”
“I didn’t choose this!” Aria gasped, eyes wide as Kael strode towards her, pack guards unable to stop him. The moment he stepped onto the high platform, magic cracked across the earth like lightning. Acknowledging the bond.
Aria backed away. “Kael, stop…”
“I tried to wait,” Kael said softly, his voice cracking. “But they would have mated you to someone who would destroy you.”
“I don’t even know you!”
“But your wolf does.”
He was close now. Too close. Aria’s skin burned where his gaze lingered. The cold stood frozen, held frozen by what was unfolding.
Rhys lunged forward, but Kael shifted midair faster, than lightning.
A blur of fur and fang flashed before Aria’s eyes. And then the wolf side of Kael pinned her, snout against her neck.
“NO!” Rhys roared, charging again, but it was too late
Kael’s wolf marked her.
The pain was white-hot. Her breath caught. She felt her soul stretch into something bigger. Something wild. Her wolf didn’t fight it. Instead she submitted.
Aria’s eyes flew open, glowing faintly with the same golden hue as Kael’s.
Gasps. Screams.
Then silence.
She turned to Rhys, his face was pale with anger and heartbreak. Leena stood at the edge, hand covering her mouth.
The Alphas called for a shield, for magic to break the bond.
But it was done.
The moon had chosen. And fate would not be denied.
Hot tears streamed down Aria’s face, but it wasn’t just grief. It was confusion. It was betrayal. It was….need.
Kael shifted back, kneeling beside her now in human form, eyes softening. “I’ll explain everything. But if you go back….they’ll definitely kill you.”
Aria looked at him, lips trembling. “Why me?”
His jaw clenched hard. “Because of who you are. And who they think you are.”
Then, he stood, and with one final look at the chaos behind them, he took her hand.
They vanished into the forest.
And the moon watched silently, blood in its light.
Morning crept over the rogue camp with a slow golden hush, casting honeyed light on canvas tents and weapon racks slick with dew. Aria stood barefoot in the training ring, the cool earth grounding her beneath a sky that still wore streaks of pink.Every muscle in her body ached like old wood, worn and splintered, but she refused to show it.Selene stood across from her, arms folded, expression unreadable. No blood on her this time. No venom curling her lips. Just a quiet watchfulness.“You have potential,” Selene said, the words falling between them like stones into still water.Aria stared at her, still unsure whether to flinch or fight. “Is that supposed to be a compliment?”Selene smirked faintly. “It’s a warning.”The bruises from their trial were still fresh. Aria could feel each one pulsing beneath her skin like echoes. She hadn't expected to see Selene again so soon, let alone like this.Maela had merely shrugged when she arrived at Aria’s tent before dawn and said, “Selene wan
The moment the crowd began to disperse, the ache in Aria's bones surged tenfold.She stood frozen in the center of the sparring ring, Selene’s blood staining her knuckles, mud in her hair, the bruises blooming across her ribs like war medals. Her heartbeat pounded in her ears, not with adrenaline, but with a bone-deep exhaustion that made her sway.And then…The world tilted.Her knees buckled.Darkness rushed up to meet her.The scent of lavender and crushed pine brought her back first.Soft light filtered through the canvas walls of Maela’s tent, and the quiet murmuring of the camp beyond drifted in like a half-remembered lullaby. Aria’s throat was raw, her skin sticky with dried sweat and blood, and her limbs refused to move. A warm, callused hand pressed something wet against her cheek.“You passed out cold,” Maela said softly. “Twice.”Aria blinked.Maela leaned over her, face shadowed but gentle. Her hands moved expertly, cleaning the reopened gash on Aria’s thigh, checking the
Aria woke at dawn, breath tight in her chest.The cold air bit into her skin as she sat upright on the cot in Maela’s tent. The salve still tingled faintly on her healing thigh, but that wasn’t what kept her up. It was the heaviness pressing against her ribs like her body already knew.The second trial was coming.And this time, it wouldn’t just be blood that spilled, it would be truths.Outside, the camp was still and shadowed, yet not silent. Whispers moved like wind through the tents. Soft, cutting, dangerous. A stir of anticipation cloaked the rogue camp.Aria stepped outside, her boots crunching against damp earth. Her breath puffed white in the chill, rising like a ghost above the tents. Rogues emerged in pairs and small clusters, their eyes flicking to her with unreadable expressions.She didn’t need words to understand what they were thinking.She’s the reason this is all happening.Silverpine’s eyes are on us because of her.Why would Kael keep her after what she’s brought?T
The sky still black as Kael carries Aria into camp, her body limp on his shoulders, her cloak splattered with blood and pine resin. Maela waits at the clearing's edge, jaw set and a clump of herbs already in her hand."Inside," she orders, pushing aside the door to her tent. "Put her down."Kael obeyed without a word. His hands were gentle as he placed Aria on the cot, but his eyes were thunder. The tension in his body buzzed like a blade held too long to fire.“I’ll take care of her,” Maela said, not unkindly, but firmly.Kael hesitated, his gaze lingering on the blood seeping from Aria’s thigh. Then, reluctantly, he stepped back and disappeared into the night.Maela got to work in silence, her fingers deft as she removed Aria’s boot and began cleaning the gash. Aria flinched awake with a cry.“Easy,” Maela murmured, pressing a cloth soaked in numbing salves against the wound. “You’re safe now.”“I wasn’t supposed to survive,” Aria whispered, voice hoarse. “He sent someone… from Silv
The wind howled like a warning that morning.Aria stood at the edge of the training field, the cold air biting into her skin. Her breath came in soft, white puffs, but her heart was racing too fast to feel the chill. Around her, rogues gathered in tight groups, sharpening blades, wrapping hands, preparing. The air buzzed with anticipation and suspicion.She felt it in the glances. The unspoken question: Will she survive this?Kael watched from a distance, arms folded, muscles coiled beneath his dark shirt. He hadn’t said much since last night’s trial demand, but his presence was constant…silent, looming. Protective, even if he wouldn’t admit it.Maela was the first to approach.“You slept?” she asked, offering a thickly woven cloak.“A little,” Aria lied, tugging it over her shoulders.Maela raised a brow. “The dreams again?”“Not a dream,” Aria corrected softly. “She comes in pieces now. Fragments of words I don’t understand. Her voice echoes like it belongs in my blood.”Maela place
Darkness closed around her like velvet. Soft, but suffocating.Aria’s breath hitched as her feet sank into an endless pool of black water, moonlight shimmering faintly on the surface. Somewhere in the distance, a howl pierced the stillness… it was long, aching, and ancient. Her heart beat like war drums in her chest.“Aria...”A whisper, not quite a voice, it was low, feminine, and... broken.She turned. The shadowy figure of a she-wolf emerged from the fog, eyes glowing silver like stars drowned in sorrow. Her fur rippled like mist. She was beautiful and terrifying, regal yet untamed.“Who are you?” Aria asked, her voice trembling. “Why do you keep calling me?”The wolf tilted her head, stepping closer. “You already know me. You’ve always known me.”“I don’t…”“Awaken,” the she-wolf interrupted. Her voice was softer now. Urgent. “Before they do.”Aria reached out to her but the moment her fingers brushed the shadow, the vision shattered like glass.She woke with a loud gasp, heart sl