Chapter 6: The Iron Howl Kingdom

Aria’s POV

“W-What?”

My voice cracked, and I hated how small it sounded. Fear was crawling up my chest, tightening my throat.

He didn’t answer.

I started backing away, one shaky step at a time. It was still raining, drenching me completely.

My hands were trembling so hard I had to grip my own arms just to steady them. My legs felt weak, like they could give out any second. Everything in me was screaming to run, but I couldn’t even move fast. My whole body was frozen between panic and exhaustion.

“W-What are you going to do to me?”

He just stared at me for a moment, calm and unreadable. Then he moved. Slow steps at first, but every one of them made my heart beat faster. I wanted to shout, to tell him to stay away, but nothing came out.

And then, without a word, he lifted me—bridal style.

“H-Hey! Bring me down!”

I froze again. My body went stiff, my breath caught in my throat. I could feel the warmth radiating from him, strong and steady against my cold skin. It wasn’t just body heat—it felt powerful, like the kind of warmth that could burn. His scent hit me next, thick and sharp, almost electric. He didn’t smell like a normal wolf. There was something about it that screamed danger and safety at the same time.

Instinctively, my arms went around his neck. My head rested against his chest, and that’s when I heard his heartbeat. Slow. Calm. Like nothing could touch him. Mine, on the other hand, was racing so fast I could barely breathe.

When I looked up at him, his jaw was clenched.

He started walking away, his steps steady and strong. I tried to speak, “Where are you taking me?”

His answer was low, controlled. “You need to be treated right now. If we don’t move, you’ll die.”

I wanted to ask more, but my body wasn’t cooperating anymore. My eyelids felt heavy. My arms loosened around him. The world started to fade in and out.

He must’ve noticed, because suddenly, his pace changed. I felt his body tense. Then, before I knew it, his shape began to shift.

His bones cracked as fur spread across his skin, his arms transforming into massive, fur-covered limbs. In the blink of an eye, the man was gone—replaced by a giant wolf.

“Hold on tight.” he whispered against my lips.

I didn’t even have the energy to scream. He crouched down, nudging me gently until I was lying on his back. His fur was warm against my palms.

I gripped his fur tighter, trying not to slip off. Then he ran.

The wind slammed against my face, sharp and cold. Trees blurred past us in streaks of green and brown. My heart pounded in my ears, matching the rhythm of his powerful strides. Every muscle in his body moved with purpose, fast but controlled.

Then, suddenly, he stopped. The air was still again.

I forced my eyes open and lifted my head.

A kingdom.

Huge stone walls stretching up to the sky. Light glowing along the gates. Flags fluttering in the wind.

He lowered himself, letting me slide off his back. My knees almost gave out when I hit the ground but he caught me instantly.

I stared at the gates, barely breathing. I didn’t know where I was or what was about to happen.

Suddenly, an alarm blared through the whole kingdom.

The sound was so loud it made my head spin. It echoed off the stone walls. I tried to lift my head, but everything around me blurred. My body felt heavy, my lungs tight. I didn’t even know what was happening.

Then the gates opened, and shouting erupted—voices overlapping, boots pounding against the ground, weapons being drawn. Chaos filled the air.

“The Alpha has returned!” someone shouted.

My vision kept fading in and out. I was weak, trembling all over. My hands twitched uselessly at my sides. I could barely breathe, every breath coming shorter than the last. My muscles kept locking up, cramping like they were fighting each other.

And then—warmth.

Someone was holding me. Strong arms wrapped around my body, pulling me close, steadying me. His grip was firm but careful. I could feel his heartbeat against mine, deep and steady. I clung to that sound, using it to stay conscious.

“Stay awake,” he whispered, his voice low and rough against my ear.

The noise around me doubled. Heavy boots thundered across the courtyard. Commands were yelled, weapons clanked, and the scent of dozens of wolves filled the air. I forced my eyes open, just a little. Everything was spinning, but I could make out shapes—men and women shifting between human and wolf form, circling us in a defensive stance.

Someone stepped forward. “Alpha Kaelen, who is she? Where did you find her? What happened?”

The man beside me, Kaelen, voice came rough and controlled, but it carried enough power to make the ground vibrate. “The nightstalkers attacked her. She’s been poisoned by a witch. We need to treat her—now.”

Murmurs broke out instantly.

“But she’s an outsider,” one of them said. “She could belong to another kingdom. We don’t even know who she is. How do we know we can trust her?”

I wanted to speak, to tell them I wasn’t a threat. But all that came out was a soft gasp. My vision darkened again, and I slumped against Kaelen’s chest.

He didn’t let go.

Through the haze, I heard his voice again—low and commanding this time. The kind of tone that made people stop breathing.

“When I tell you we need a healer,” he said, his voice booming across the courtyard, “you listen. She’s dying. If any of you disobey me, you’ll face my wrath. Is that clear?”

The entire place went silent. Even the air felt heavier.

Then another voice, older and calmer, broke through the tension. “You heard the Alpha. Get the healer—now!”

I felt movement all around me. People running. Doors opening. The air smelled like smoke and rain and earth. Then, everything started fading again. My heartbeat slowed, thudding faintly in my ears.

Kaelen shifted his hold, one arm under my knees, the other around my back. I felt the rush of air as he carried me inside. His grip never loosened—not even for a second.

When I forced my eyes open again, we were in a small room filled with the scent of herbs and burning sage. Glass jars lined the walls, filled with roots, powders, and strange liquids that shimmered under torchlight.

He laid me down on a bed covered in soft linen, but his hand didn’t leave mine. His skin was warm, grounding me. I could barely keep my eyes open, but I felt his thumb brush lightly over my knuckles.

“Treat her,” Kaelen said, his voice low but firm. “Make sure she lives.”

There was something in his tone—something that made my chest tighten and my heart pound faster.

He didn’t even know who I was. But somehow, he’s helping me…

And before the darkness took over completely, I whispered the only word I could manage.

“Thank you…”

Then everything went black.