Chapter 5

Caught in the Shadows

The castle walls vibrated with alarm. Everyone began running for safety.

Shouts echoed down the corridors. Warriors rushed past Aria’s chamber in full armor, their footsteps thundering like war drums. 

Servants screamed in fear. Guards barked orders as swift as they could and positioned themselves for the worse.

“The western gate’s been breached!”

“Sound the second horn, protect the Alpha!”

“They’re after something, we don’t know what!”

Aria stood at her window, heart pounding like it would leap from her chest. She was quite confused about what to do.

‘A rogue attack’. 

That’s what they were all calling it. But Aria knew better. She knew it wasn't just a random attack from a random person. It was an attack from her blood brother.

Victor.

Who didn't want her to be with Alpha Caden, as he was his rival and would do all he can to take him down even if it required hurting Aria in the process.

He had sent this chaos as a distraction, and a message. He was taunting her but Alpha Caden as well—and maybe even testing her. She couldn’t wait anymore. She couldn’t risk it, she just had to see her son.

This might just be the perfect moment, she had to ensure his safety.

And with the entire castle in panic, no one would notice her slip away.

She pulled off her Luna necklace and dropped it into the drawer. The weight of it had always been more of a burden than a crown.

Then she reached beneath her mattress for the black cloak she had hidden there. The one with no scent, enchanted by Rosalie to mask her trail.

She immediately called for Evelyn, who seemed to be her trusted maid to stay in her chamber, while she left. Covering up for her in her absence.

She then moved quickly.

Through the east wing corridors, past the servants' hall, down into the tunnels once used for war escapes. 

No one saw her so no one could stop her.

The panic worked in her favor.

When she emerged into the woods, the smell of burning pine and distant howls followed her into the night.

She ran as fast as she could.

Even faster than she had in years.

The path to the healer’s cottage was overgrown, but her memory guided her through it. It had always been hidden from the main pack lands—tucked near the Silver River, beyond the mountain bend.

The sky threatened rain, and the moon remained shrouded. It was as if the Goddess herself mourned what was coming.

After nearly an hour, Aria pushed through the tree line and reached the edge of the clearing.

The cottage stood silent.

Too silent.

Her heart lodged in her throat as she rushed forward.

“Rosalie?” she called, voice trembling. 

“Rollan?”

No response for some minutes till they finally answered.

“I thought something had happened to you, Rollan.” Aria caressed her son's face in a kind of joy only Rollan could bring.

“Not under my watch, Aria. Rollan is safe with me. But we have to go now, and it isn't safe anymore. Return back to your Alpha, Aria. I will send a message soon.” Rosalie said as she carried Rollan.

“Wait! I don't understand. What's going on Rosalie?” Aria stood in confusion.

“You have to leave now, Aria. If you really want Rollan safe.”

Then she realised how the cottage had been tossed—papers scattered, herbs ripped from the ceiling, vials broken across the floor. The crib in the corner was overturned.

“Please look after my son.” Aria whispered, as she watched Rosalie take her leave with Rollan.

They were finally out of sight, then she saw a soft blue blanket clutched between two overturned cushions. And beside it, a smudge of ash. She brought the blanket to her face and inhaled.

His scent was faint—but still there.

“Rollan…” Her knees gave way, and she fell to the floor, gripping the blanket as sobs choked her. She wished she could still see him and carry him much longer in her arms.

“Aria.”

The voice froze her blood, she couldn't believe that she had been followed even through the woods without her knowing. He had probably seen all that happened, Rosalie and Rollan, her son. Though it was an assumption not a certainty.

She turned slowly, her cloak falling from her shoulder.

She hesitated but she tried to act strong and in control.

“What are you doing here, Kael?”

Kael stood at the doorway, jaw clenched, shirt damp with sweat. His eyes burned with a mix of betrayal and realization.

“I should be asking why you are here, Luna?” Kael answered with a straight face.

“Well, I decided to visit this cabin because I feel it's safe.”

“Are you saying it's safer than the pack house? You left during a raid,” he said quietly. “Do you have any idea how that looks?”

She couldn’t find her voice.

He stepped in, gaze scanning the wreckage, then returning to her tear-streaked face.

His voice dropped lower. “What are you doing here?”

Aria swallowed hard as her lips parted.

She could lie.

She could beg.

But it wouldn’t matter now.

Kael had followed her through a forest in a war.

He knew she was up to something. That's if he hadn't even seen all that happened.

“You…” he whispered, his breath catching. “This is where you ran after the bar that night, isn’t it?”

Aria flinched in fear.

“You’re Hale.” His voice cracked. “The woman from the bar. You disappeared the next morning. Caden searched for you for months.”

She shook her head, eyes wild with unshed tears. “Kael, please…”

His expression hardened.

“And the child?” he asked, voice trembling with something between fear and fury. “Is it his?”

She couldn’t lie anymore.

“Yes,” she whispered.

The word broke the air between them.

Kael took a step back, like she’d struck him.

He then realised he was now torn between his loyalty to Caden and helping Aria keep her secret that could eventually cost her her life.