CHAPTER THREE

ARIA

Fear gripped my chest as the stranger’s command echoed in the silent forest. “Take her.” The wolves around me moved instantly.

Before I could react, two of them grabbed my arms. I struggled, panic flooding my veins.

“Let me go!” I snapped, trying to pull away. But their grip tightened.

“Relax,” one of them muttered. “You’re not in a position to fight.”

I glared at him, refusing to show how terrified I actually felt. My eyes shifted back to the man who had given the order.

He watched me calmly, like I was something he found mildly interesting. His dark hair fell slightly over his forehead, and his sharp jaw tightened as he studied me.

He looked powerful. Not just strong, but dangerous. Every instinct inside me screamed that this man wasn’t someone to mess with.

“Where are you taking me?” I demanded but no one answered.

The wolves began walking deeper into the forest, dragging me along with them. I tried to memorize the path, but after a few minutes, I realized I had no idea where we were going. The air felt different here. Stronger. It smelled of unfamiliar wolves. A different pack. My heart pounded. Had I wandered into another pack’s territory? And if so… why did they capture me?After nearly twenty minutes of walking, we reached a large clearing. My breath caught.

A massive pack house stood in the center, larger than anything I had seen before. Wolves moved around the area, some training, others patrolling. The atmosphere was disciplined and serious.

This wasn’t just any pack. This was a powerful one.

The wolves escorted me toward the house, and as we approached, more eyes turned toward me. Curious glances followed my every step. I lifted my chin, refusing to look intimidated. Even though I was. We stepped inside.

The interior was just as impressive. High ceilings, dark wood, and an aura of authority filled the space. It felt more like a fortress than a home.

The wolves led me into a large office. The man from earlier stood near the desk, his back to me.

The wolves released my arms. “Alpha,” one of them said respectfully.

Alpha? My heart skipped. So he was the Alpha of this pack.

That explained the power radiating from him. He turned slowly, his eyes locking onto mine again.

My breath caught. Up close, he was even more intimidating. Tall, broad-shouldered, and radiating confidence. A faint scar ran along his eyebrow, adding to his dangerous appearance.

“Leave us,” he ordered, the wolves nodded and exited quietly. The door closed behind them and silence filled the room.

I stood there, unsure of what to do. He walked toward me slowly, his gaze never leaving mine.

My heart raced.

“What’s your name?” he asked.

“Aria,” I replied carefully. “Aria Stone.”

His eyes narrowed slightly.

“Stone…” He seemed to recognize the name.

“You’re from the Crescent Moon Pack,” he said.

I hesitated, then nodded. “Yes.”

His jaw tightened slightly. “And why were you wandering near my territory alone?”

I swallowed. “I was… leaving.”

“Leaving?” He arches a brow.

I nodded again. “I was banished.”

His brows furrowed slightly. “Banished?”

I looked away, embarrassment creeping into my chest.

“I was rejected by my mate,” I said quietly. Something flickered in his eyes.

“Your mate rejected you, why?” he asked like he found it interesting or perhaps…amusing.

“Yes, I don’t know,” I replied.

“Who?”

I hesitated. “I don’t think that’s relevant.”

His gaze hardened slightly. “Answer the question.”

I exhaled slowly. “Alpha Logan.”

Silence filled the room.

His eyes darkened instantly. “Logan rejected you?”

I nodded. He studied me again, his gaze intense.

“Interesting.” Something about his reaction made me uneasy.

“Why?” he asked.

“He said I wasn’t strong enough to be Luna.”

His expression turned cold. “Typical.”

The word slipped out quietly, but I caught it.

It's so obvious there's history there, but it wasn't in my position to ask.

“What’s your name?” I asked.

He looked at me for a moment. Then he spoke. “Alpha Kael.” The name sent a strange chill down my spine.

Kael. It sounded powerful, Dangerous.

“And what are you going to do with me?” I asked cautiously.

He stepped closer. “I haven’t decided yet.”

My heart raced. “I’m not a threat,” I said quickly.

“I know.” Then he turned away and walked toward the desk.

“You can stay here for now.”

My eyes widened. “Stay?”

“Until I decide what to do with you.”

Relief washed over me. He wasn’t going to hurt me. At least… not yet.

“Thank you,” I said quietly. He nodded slightly.

He pressed a button on the desk. Moments later, a woman entered the room. She looked strong and confident, her blonde hair tied into a tight ponytail.

“Yes, Alpha?”

“Prepare a room for her,” he said.

The woman glanced at me briefly, then nodded. “Of course.”

“Also,” he added, “make sure she’s guarded.”

My relief faded slightly. Guarded?

“I won’t run,” I said.

“I know,” he replied calmly. “But I don’t take risks.”

Fair enough. I followed the woman out of the office.

“I’m Maya,” she said as we walked.

“Aria.” She studied me briefly.

“You’re lucky.” She glanced at me.

“Why?” I asked.

“The Alpha rarely lets strangers stay.”

That surprised me and at the same time I wondered what am I supposed to do with that information, I didn’t ask him to capture me.

“Really?”

She nodded. “He’s… careful.”

I sensed there was more she wasn’t saying. We reached a hallway, and she opened a door.

“This will be your room.”

I stepped inside. It was simple but comfortable. A bed, a dresser, and a window overlooking the forest.

“Thank you,” I said. She nodded and left.

I sat on the bed slowly, exhaustion washing over me. Everything had happened so fast.

Rejected. Banished. Captured. And now… here.

I didn’t know what to expect.

But something told me my life was about to change again.