Chapter 6

 Tangled Bonds and Hidden Truths

The air in the wrecked cottage was heavy with the scent of ash and fear. Aria stood frozen, her confession hanging between her and Kael like a blade poised to fall. His eyes, usually so steady, flickered with a storm of emotions—shock, betrayal, and something deeper, something that made her chest ache.

“You have a child with Caden,” Kael said, his voice low, each word deliberate as if testing the weight of the truth. “And you’ve been hiding him. Here. All this time.”

Aria clutched Rollan’s blanket tighter, her knuckles white. “I had no choice, Kael. If Caden knew, if anyone knew, it would put Rollan in danger. Victor… he’d use him to destroy everything.”

Kael’s jaw tightened at the mention of Victor’s name. “Your brother. The rogue who’s been tearing through packs, who killed Caden’s parents. You’re tied to him, aren’t you?”

She flinched, the truth cutting deeper than she expected. “I’m not like him,” she whispered, her voice breaking. “I’ve spent my life running from him, from what he’s become. But he knows about Rollan now. He’s coming for us.”

Kael stepped closer, his presence overwhelming in the small, shattered space. “And you thought you could keep this from Caden? From *me*? I’m his Beta, Aria. My loyalty is to him. Do you have any idea what this will do to him when he finds out?”

Her eyes burned with unshed tears. “I know what he’ll do. He’ll hate me. He’ll take Rollan away. Or worse, he’ll—” She stopped, unable to voice the fear that Caden might kill her for her bloodline, for the curse that stripped his wolf, for the lies she’d woven.

Kael’s gaze softened, just for a moment. “You don’t know him like I do. He’s cold, yes. Ruthless. But he’s not a monster. If you told him the truth”

“No!” Aria’s voice cracked, sharp and desperate. “You don’t understand. My blood… it’s cursed. I didn’t know it then, but that night with Caden… I took his wolf. It’s why he’s changed, why he’s been so volatile. If he finds out, he’ll never forgive me. And Rollan, he’ll be caught in the middle.”

Kael’s breath hitched, his eyes widening. “You… took his wolf?” He ran a hand through his hair, pacing the small space. “That’s why he’s been like this. The anger, the restlessness. I thought it was the council, the pressure… but it was you.”

“I didn’t mean to,” she said, tears spilling now. “I didn’t know what I was until it was too late. Rosalie told me after Rollan was born. I’ve been trying to protect him ever since.”

Kael stopped pacing, his gaze locking onto hers. “And you think hiding in plain sight as his Luna is protecting him? Victor’s out there, Aria. He’s not just a rogue, he’s a predator. He’s already breached the western gate. What makes you think he won’t find this place?”

Her heart seized. “Rosalie took Rollan. She’s moving him somewhere safer. But I can’t lose him, Kael. He’s all I have.”

Kael’s expression softened further, and for a moment, she saw the man from the bar three years ago, the one who’d watched her with quiet intensity, who’d lingered in the shadows while Caden claimed her attention. “You’re not alone,” he said quietly. “But you’re making it harder than it needs to be. Let me help you.”

She shook her head, stepping back. “You can’t. You’re loyal to Caden. If you tell him—”

“I haven’t told him,” Kael cut in, his voice firm. “Not yet. But I can’t keep this from him forever. He’s my Alpha, Aria. And he’s… he’s starting to care about you. I see it in the way he looks at you, even if he doesn’t admit it.”

Her chest tightened, a mix of hope and dread swirling within her. “He can’t care about me. Not when he finds out who I am.”

Kael’s eyes darkened. “And who are you, Aria? The woman from the bar? The sister of a murderer? The mother of his child? Or just the Luna playing a part?”

She didn’t answer. She couldn’t. The weight of all those truths pressed down on her, threatening to crush her.

Before Kael could press further, a low howl pierced the night, sharp and urgent. His head snapped toward the sound, his body tensing. “That’s the pack’s signal. The rogues are moving closer.”

Aria’s blood ran cold. “Victor.”

Kael grabbed her arm, his grip firm but not harsh. “We need to get back to the keep. Now. If Victor’s here, you’re not safe, and neither is your son.”

She nodded, her mind racing. As they hurried back through the woods, the blanket still clutched in her hands, she felt the weight of her secrets growing heavier. Kael knew too much, and Victor was too close. The fragile balance she’d fought to maintain was crumbling.

When they reached the edge of the keep’s grounds, the air was thick with the scent of blood and smoke. Guards were shouting, wolves snarling in the distance. Kael pulled her behind a tree, his eyes scanning the chaos. “Stay low,” he whispered. “Caden’s out there. If he sees you with me, he’ll ask questions.”

Aria nodded, her heart pounding. But as Kael moved to lead her back to the safety of the keep, a figure stepped into their path—a guard, his armor glinting in the moonlight. His eyes were cold, calculating, and Aria’s stomach dropped as she recognized the faint scent of ash on him. The same scent she’d found in the cottage.

“You,” the guard said, his gaze locked on Aria. “Victor sends his regards.”

Before Kael could react, the guard lunged, a blade flashing in his hand. Kael shoved Aria out of the way, tackling the guard to the ground. The two grappled, snarls and grunts filling the air as Aria stumbled back, her mind screaming.

Victor’s spy. He’d been watching her all along.

Kael pinned the guard, his fist crashing into the man’s jaw. “Who sent you?” he growled. “What does Victor want?”

The guard laughed, blood trickling from his mouth. “You’re too late, Beta. The boy’s already marked. And the Alpha… he’ll fall.”

Aria’s blood froze. *Marked.* Rollan.

She turned to run, to find Rosalie, to save her son—but Kael’s voice stopped her. “Aria, don’t! It’s a trap!”

But it was too late. The guard broke free, his blade slicing across Kael’s arm before he fled into the woods. Kael cursed, clutching his wound, but his eyes were on Aria. “Go back to the keep,” he said, his voice tight with pain. “I’ll handle this. But you need to tell Caden the truth. Before Victor does it for you.”

Aria’s heart raced as she nodded, her feet carrying her toward the keep. But the guard’s words echoed in her mind, a chilling promise of what was to come. Rollan was in danger, and Victor was closing in. The truth was no longer a choice—it was a necessity. But would Caden listen? Or would her confession destroy everything she’d fought to protect?