Chapter 10

The Price of Loyalty

The rain battered the forest, turning the ground beneath Aria’s feet into a slick, treacherous mire. She clung to Rollan, his small body pressed against her chest, his warmth the only anchor in the storm of fear and chaos. Rosalie led the way, her steps swift and sure despite the darkness, her knowledge of the woods guiding them toward a hidden cave near the Silver River. The distant howls of Victor’s rogues echoed through the trees, each one a reminder that time was running out.

“Faster, Aria,” Rosalie urged, her voice low but urgent. “They’re closing in.”

Aria’s legs burned, her breath ragged, but she pushed forward, Rollan’s soft whimpers spurring her on. The revelation about his mark—ancient, tied to her cursed bloodline—gnawed at her. Was he a key to salvation or a weapon Victor could wield? She couldn’t let her brother find out.

The cave loomed ahead, a jagged maw in the rock face, concealed by vines and shadow. Rosalie parted the foliage, ushering Aria inside. The air was damp and cool, the faint drip of water echoing in the darkness. Aria sank to the ground, cradling Rollan as Rosalie lit a small, enchanted flame that cast a soft glow.

“He’s safe here, for now,” Rosalie said, her eyes scanning the entrance. “The wards I placed will mask his scent, but they won’t hold forever. Victor’s men are relentless.”

Aria looked down at Rollan, his amber eyes, so like Caden’s—blinking up at her. A faint mark, like a crescent moon crossed with a fang, glowed faintly on his tiny arm. “What is this mark, Rosalie? Why does Victor want it?”

Rosalie knelt beside her, her face etched with worry. “Your bloodline’s curse isn’t just about stripping wolves. It’s tied to an ancient prophecy—one that speaks of a child born of a cursed union, bearing a mark that can either restore balance or unleash chaos. Victor believes Rollan’s mark makes him a tool to control the packs, to bend their power to his will.”

Aria’s heart clenched. “And Caden… if he finds out about this, will he see Rollan as a threat?”

Rosalie’s silence was answer enough.

Before Aria could press further, a low growl rumbled outside the cave. Rosalie doused the flame, plunging them into darkness. Aria held her breath, clutching Rollan tighter as footsteps crunched closer. A voice—cold, familiar—cut through the silence.

“You can’t hide forever, sister.”

Victor.

Aria’s blood froze. Rosalie pressed a finger to her lips, then pointed to a narrow crevice at the back of the cave. “Go,” she whispered. “I’ll hold him off.”

“No,” Aria hissed. “I won’t leave you.”

“You have to,” Rosalie said, her eyes fierce. “For Rollan.”

Reluctantly, Aria crawled toward the crevice, squeezing through with Rollan tucked against her. The stone scraped her skin, but she bit back a cry, emerging into a smaller chamber. She could still hear Victor’s voice, taunting, and Rosalie’s calm, defiant response.

“You’ll never touch her, Victor,” Rosalie said. “Not while I breathe.”

A snarl, a thud, and then silence. Aria’s heart pounded, guilt and fear warring within her. Rosalie was risking everything, just as Kael had. She pressed Rollan’s face to her shoulder, whispering soft reassurances as she listened for any sign of pursuit.

Minutes passed, agonizingly slow. Then, a new sound—boots on stone, heavier, purposeful. Aria tensed, ready to run, but a familiar voice called her name.

“Aria!”

Caden.

She hesitated, her heart torn. Could she trust him after everything? But the desperation in his voice, the raw edge of it, pulled her back. She crawled out of the crevice, Rollan still in her arms, and stepped into the main chamber.

Caden stood there, his black shirt torn, blood streaking his face. Behind him, Kael leaned against the cave wall, his arm bleeding heavily, his face pale but resolute. Rosalie lay slumped on the ground, alive but unconscious, a bruise blooming on her temple.

“Caden,” Aria breathed, her voice trembling. “Victor...”

“He’s gone,” Caden said, his voice rough. “For now. His rogues scattered when we pushed back. But he’ll return.” His eyes dropped to Rollan, and for the first time, Aria saw something soften in his expression. “Is this… him?”

She nodded, tears spilling over. “This is Rollan. Our son.”

Caden stepped closer, his gaze locked on the boy. He reached out, hesitant, and brushed a finger against Rollan’s cheek. The mark on Rollan’s arm glowed faintly, and Caden’s breath hitched. “What is this?”

Aria swallowed hard. “It’s a mark from my bloodline. A prophecy. Victor wants to use it—use him—to control the packs.”

Caden’s eyes darkened, but he didn’t pull away. “And you didn’t tell me this because you thought I’d hurt him?”

“I was scared,” she admitted. “Of you, of Victor, of what I’ve done to you.”

He was silent for a long moment, his hand lingering near Rollan. Then, his voice low, he said, “I don’t know if I can forgive you, Aria. But I won’t let anyone harm my son. Not Victor. Not anyone.”

Kael stepped forward, his voice strained. “We need to move. Victor’s spy is still out there, and he’ll report back. We can’t stay here.”

Caden nodded, his eyes never leaving Rollan. “Take Rosalie to the keep. Get her to a healer. Aria, you and Rollan come with me.”

As they moved out into the rain, Aria felt the weight of Caden’s words. He was protecting Rollan, but the trust between them was fractured. Victor was still out there, and the mark on Rollan’s arm was a ticking clock. With Kael’s loyalty stretched thin and Rosalie’s fate uncertain, Aria knew the battle was far from over. She held Rollan close, vowing to fight for him and for the fragile hope of a future with Caden.