MasukAria’s POV “You see, this is why I like him.”I smiled.Kael had changed since his arrival.Not dramatically.He was still cautious around strangers, and there were moments when he seemed almost surprised that people expected him to stay.But he had begun to laugh more.He ate meals with everyone.He trained with the warriors.He spent time with the healers.He listened when people brought concerns to him.And sometimes, when I watched him walking through the courtyard, I could almost imagine that he had grown up here.That thought made me happy.It also made me nervous.Because if something happened to him, I knew I would never forgive myself.The evening before the coronation, I went to the old storage room where my father's ceremonial belongings were kept.I wanted to see the crown before it was placed on Kael's head.The room smelled of old wood and polished metal.I found the crown inside a velvet-lined box.I touched it carefully.Memories flooded through me.My father wearing
Aria’s POV Every elder was already seated.Kael stood near the window.The oldest elder rose when we entered.“We have discussed the matter of succession, and there is something that must be made clear before any further delay occurs,” he said.I remained standing beside Eros.“What have you decided,” I asked.The elder looked directly at me.“Kael is your father's son, and the records have confirmed his bloodline beyond dispute, which means he is the remaining direct heir to this pack.”I felt my stomach tighten.“I understand that he is my brother, but being his daughter does not mean my father automatically wanted him to rule,” I replied.The elder shook his head.“You are right that blood alone does not make someone a good leader, but this pack cannot remain without an Alpha, and you have already made it clear that you cannot permanently take the position because of your marriage and your responsibilities with the Lycan King.”I looked toward Kael.He looked uncomfortable.“I nev
Aria’s POV I reached for Kael's hand again.This time, he held mine without hesitation.“You are my brother, Kael, and whatever happens next, you are not going to face it alone,” I told him, looking directly into his eyes.He squeezed my hand.“I spent my whole life believing I had nobody, and now I finally understand what my mother meant when she told me that one day I would find the family I had been denied,” he replied, his eyes filling with tears.I pulled him into another hug.Behind us, Eros moved closer and rested one hand on my shoulder.The pack stood silently beneath the trees.Nobody knew who had carved the message.Nobody knew who had been following Kael.Nobody knew why my father had hidden his son for so many years.But as I looked at the fresh carving beneath the moonlight, I understood one thing with absolute certainty.My brother had finally found his home.And whoever had spent years trying to keep him from it had just declared war on the family that would now prote
Aria’s POV Three disputes had broken out in the pack.A family claimed their land boundary had been moved.Two warriors had argued over a leadership position.A group of farmers had accused the council of ignoring their concerns about the northern fields.Kael had to hear each side.Then he had to make decisions.I watched from the side of the council chamber.He did not rush.He listened.He asked questions.He admitted when he needed more information.When the two warriors began shouting at each other, Kael raised his hand.“I will listen to both of you, but I will not make a decision while either of you is more interested in winning an argument than solving the problem,” he said, looking from one warrior to the other.The room became quiet.Derek leaned toward Daniella.“I think he has discovered the secret to dealing with me,” he whispered, although he tried to keep his voice low.Daniella looked at him.“The secret to dealing with you is usually patience and food, and I do not t
Aria’s POV “The first time, I was thirteen, and the man who had been giving me work disappeared the next morning, although everyone told me he had simply left town,” he said, his expression becoming distant.He took a breath.“The second time was years later, when I was working near the eastern mountains, and a stranger came asking questions about my mother, although I never understood how he knew her name,” he continued.He looked back at the symbol.“The third time was two weeks before I came here, and that was when I realized someone had been following me,” he said.My stomach tightened.“You never told me any of that,” I said, my voice quieter than I intended.Kael looked at me.“I did not know whether telling you would make you believe me or make you think I was bringing danger into your life,” he replied, and there was genuine pain in his expression.Eros studied him carefully.“Why did you come here if you believed someone was following you,” he asked.Kael looked between us.
Aria’s POV “I am supporting you by helping you develop humility, because you clearly need more of it,” she replied, smiling as she walked away with the bread.I could not help laughing.For the first time since Kael arrived, the sight of him laughing with Derek and Daniella did something strange to my chest.It looked natural.Too natural, perhaps.He sat there with his shoulders relaxed, his hair untidy from sleep, and his face carrying an expression I had never seen on him before, because he looked like someone who had finally found a place where he did not have to be afraid of being thrown out.Then the feeling of guilt came.I hated that I could see his happiness and still wonder whether he was hiding something from me.Kael noticed me watching him.He lowered his cup and gave me a small smile.“You are thinking again, and I hope it is not about whether I am secretly planning to steal your crown before I have even figured out where everyone keeps the good plates,” he said, trying
Aria’s POV My maid’s small figure slipped in, her eyes widening at the sight of me crumpled on the floor. She rushed over, kneeling beside me, her hands warm as she reached for mine.“My lady, what’s wrong?” she whispered, her voice soft as a lullaby. She helped me up, guiding me to the bed, her mo
Aria’s POV His eyes darted to Elara’s bloody sleeve, then back to me, wild with worry. “What happened?!” he barked, his hands already reaching to take her from me.I swallowed hard on nothing, forcing my voice steady. “Rogues attacked us on our way back.”His jaw clenched, and without hesitation
Aria’s POV “One mistake Aria, and you might not have the chance to correct it.”I turned away, refusing to answer, but my heart betrayed me, pounding too fast and for a second I thought it’ll fall off. Because for the first time that night, I wasn’t sure if he was warning me about Darren, or a
Aria’s POV Darren was kissing Elara.Not long, not deep, just a stolen kiss, careless, as though he thought no one would walk in.And then my footsteps scraped against the floor, and they broke apart so fast it was almost comical. Elara turned her head as though she’d been coughing. Darren, shamel







