Chapter 3

Aurelia

The arena was my chance.

If I could join the Combat Division, I could prove myself worthy.

I could show Draven and Marisol that I wasn't just a weak omega. I could escape my engagement. I could be FREE.

But it wasn't just about freedom. It was about survival. If I could prove myself strong enough, maybe I could survive the Trial of the Forgotten. Maybe I could find the proof my grandfather had hidden. Maybe I could clear my mother's name and bring down the people who had killed her.

I fought like I had never fought before.

The scarred Beta was strong. His punches were like hammers, his kicks like whips. But I was faster. More determined. I had spent years training in secret, learning the techniques my mother had written about in her journals.

"Yield," I growled, my forearm pressed against his throat.

He did.

I won.

The crowd erupted in whispers. Cheers. Stares.

And then I saw him.

Alpha Draven Nightshade.

He was watching from the edge of the arena, his arms crossed over his chest. His ice-blue eyes were fixed on me with predatory intensity.

"Interesting," he said, approaching me. "You fought well, omega. Very well."

My heart soared. Maybe... maybe he was impressed. Maybe he would reconsider the engagement.

"Thank you, Your Highness," I said, trying to catch my breath.

"But it changes nothing," he continued, his voice cold and flat. "You're still an omega. You're still my intended. And you're still going to be my plaything."

He stepped closer, his eyes boring into mine.

"But I'm feeling generous. Since you fought so well, I'll give you a choice."

He paused, letting the words hang in the air.

"You can be my wife. My equal and my partner in ruling our packs."

I stared at him, hope flickering in my chest.

"Or you can be my slave. My whore. My possession. The choice is yours."

He turned and walked away.

I stood frozen in the arena, my heart shattering into a million pieces.

He had taken my victory and turned it into another way to humiliate me. He had offered me a false choice, a choice that wasn't really a choice at all. Because either way, I would belong to him.

I clenched my fists, my nails digging into my palms.

No. I won't give up. I can't give up.

I looked around the arena. The whispers were still there, but they had changed. People were looking at me differently now. With respect. With curiosity.

"You fought well."

I turned to find a young woman standing behind me. She had sharp features and eyes that seemed to shift colors in the dim light. Her name was Wren, and she was the only person in this Academy who knew my secret.

"I need your help," I said.

Wren smiled. "I know. Let's talk."

We met that night in the shadows of the eastern courtyard. The moon was full, casting silver light across the ancient stone walls. The wind was cold, biting through my thin cloak.

"I need to get into the restricted archives," I said, my voice barely above a whisper. "My grandfather's letter said the proof is hidden there. The Night of the Crimson Moon—it's not just a trial. It's a wedding. I'm being offered to the triplet alphas of the Infernal Pack."

Wren's eyes widened. "The Infernal Pack? The demon lords?"

"Yes."

"Aurelia, that's a death sentence. No one survives—"

"I know." I met her gaze. "But I have no choice. If I refuse, Marisol will destroy my mother's legacy. She'll kill my grandfather. She'll take my soul."

Wren was silent for a long moment. Her eyes shifted in the moonlight, and I could see the gears turning in her mind.

"Then we have to find the proof," she said finally. "Before the Night of the Crimson Moon."

She reached into her cloak and pulled out a small key. It was made of black and gold, gleaming with an ancient power.

"Find me at the ball," she said, pressing the key into my palm. "I'll help you get into the archives."

I closed my fingers around the key, feeling its weight. It was warm against my skin, pulsing with a faint energy.

"Thank you," I whispered.

"Don't thank me yet," Wren said. "The restricted archives are heavily protected. Even with the key, you'll need to get past the magical wards. And more than that..." She glanced around nervously. "I've heard whispers, Aurelia. There's someone else looking for your mother's files. Someone powerful."

"Who?"

"The same person who killed her."

A cold chill ran down my spine. I wanted to ask more, but Wren was already stepping back into the shadows.

"Be careful," she said. "These aren't just games we're playing. The forces arrayed against you are older, stronger, and more dangerous than you realize."

"And the forces on my side?"

Wren smiled, a hint of warmth creeping into her face. "You have me, don't you?"

She vanished into the darkness, leaving me alone with the key burning in my palm.

The week that followed was brutal.

I trained every day with the Combat Division, pushing my body to its limits. I sparred with warriors twice my size, ran obstacle courses designed to break lesser wolves, and practiced drills until my muscles screamed in protest.

But I didn't give up.

And I didn't stop fighting.

Every day, I grew stronger. Every day, I earned the grudging respect of my peers. And every day, I felt Draven's eyes on me, watching, waiting for me to slip.

He was relentless. He had become obsessed with uncovering my secret. He followed me to training, watched me in the dining hall, and even appeared in my quarters at odd hours, asking questions that I deflected with practiced ease.

It was exhausting.

But it was also... exhilarating.

I hated myself for admitting it, but there was something intoxicating about his attention. He was powerful, beautiful, and dangerous, everything I should have despised. And yet, the way he looked at me made my heart race in a way that had nothing to do with fear.

It was wrong. I knew it was wrong but I couldn’t stop it.

“You’re distracted.”

I looked up to find Wren sitting across from me in the dining hall. Her sharp eyes were studying me with concern.

“I’m fine,” I said.

“You’re not.” She leaned forward, her voice dropping. “I’ve been watching you, Aurelia. You’ve been spending a lot of time with Draven Nightshade. That’s not part of the plan.”

“I’m not spending time with him. He’s been following me.”

“Following you?” Wren raised an eyebrow. “Or have you been following him?”

I felt heat rise to my cheeks. “What are you talking about?”

Wren smiled mysteriously. “I’m talking about the way you look at him. The way you blush when he’s near. I’m talking about the fact that he’s the son of the man who killed your mother, and you’re looking at him like he’s your next meal.”

“Wren—"

“Don’t.” She raised her hand to stop me. “I’m not judging you, Aurelia. But I need you to stay focused. The Night of the Crimson Moon is in three days. Everything depends on you getting into those archives.”

I swallowed hard, nodding.

“You’re right,” I said. “I’m sorry. I don’t know what came over me.”

“Come over you?” Wren laughed. “It’s called attraction. It happens to the best of us. Just don’t let it cloud your judgment.”

I nodded again, but I knew it was too late.

I was already in too deep….