Chapter 4 In the Nightshade Pack

Bones cracked, each wolf transforming as they prepared to feast on her.

She was just about to run when the biggest and most majestic wolf she had ever seen jumped in front of her.

She thought Nebra was big, she was nothing compared to this wolf.

The wolf snarled, a warning for them to back down.

The wolves snarled back, issuing the challenge. The wolf turned to look at her before attacking.

"Knox?"She whispered to herself.

Aria stood mesmerized, unable to tear her gaze away from what was unfolding before her eyes.

Knox was just one wolf, yet he was dominating.

With every swipe of Knox's claws, a lone wolf fell to the ground.

Finally, growling in frustration, the leader of the lone backed down, calling them to retreat.

Immediately the lone wolves disappeared, Knox transformed into his human form.

Aria had seen a lot of naked men. It was in wolves nature to be naked but she had never seen anyone like Knox.

She averted her gaze quickly as he pulled out clothes from the corner of a tree.

In three angry steps, he was in her face.

"Do you ever do anything you are told? Ryder specifically told you to stay on the path."

"I'm sorry."

His glare intensified, "Will you goddamn stop apologizing? You are an alpha female. Act like one."

"I'm sorry."

He blew out a breath, "You are hopeless."

Silence filled the air as he simply stared at her.

She eventually broke it, "Thank you for coming to save me. Why did you?"

"Because I might be Alpha but Ryder likes to give me crap. What the hell am I supposed to do with you?"

His wolf growled. Mate.

He could feel it, so could she but they both chose to act like their wolves were not going crazy.

Aria stared down at her finger.

He started walking away. He turned back to face her, "Well are you coming or not?"

She rushed over him.

Ryder smiled as soon as they stepped back into the territory, his scar stretching.

"Knox. How was your run?"

Knox glared at him, "She is your problem now. Keep her in check and if I find out she was sent by anyone as a spy here, I won't think twice of slitting both your throats."

He stomped inside.

Ryder smiled at her, "Welcome to the Nightshade pack Aria."

Ryder took her to an empty room, "You can stay here."

"Thank you Ryder."

He nodded, "Aria?"

"Yes?"

"I hope I am not wrong about you."

He shot the door.

The next morning she woke up. The hunger she felt had doubled.

The most wonderful thing she has ever smelt was coming from down the hallway.

Her legs followed her nose.

A curvy woman was behind the stove flipping pancakes. Sensing her presence, the woman turned, a beautiful smile gracing her face.

"Hi. You must be Aria. I'm Lydia". She extended her hand, "I'm Ryder's mate."

"Oh."

"Why Oh?" She raised her eyebrows playfully.

"Nothing. I just didn't know he had a mate."

Lydia's blue eyes glinted mischievously, "Now now. Don't tell me you are eying my mate. I've got claws."

Aria laughed, liking her immediately. Her stomach chose that moment to rumble. She looked down at her fingers, red staining her cheeks.

"Oh honey. No need to feel embarrassed. It has been a really difficult couple of days. Would you like to join everyone for breakfast?"

"Everyone?"

Lydia nodded, "Doesn't everyone eat together in your former pack?"

Former pack. That stung. How much things had changed in the last two days.

"No. It's just the most important people in the pack."

"Well here, we eat together as a pack."

Lydia led her to the dinning. Everyone in there turned to look at her.

Lydia made her way to Ryder, sitting next to him leaving one available chair right next to Knox whose scent already called out to her wolf.

She gulped before walking over to take her seat.

Just as she sat down, a beautiful young woman with long red hair strutted in, swaying her hips.

She headed straight in her direction.

"You are in my seat.", the woman glared down at her.

Having lived with Seraphina her whole life, she knew exactly how to deal with the situation. Ignore it.

"Didn't you hear me? I said, "You are in my seat."

Aria sighed, "If I'm not mistaken this chair is made from oak. Have you cut up any oak trees recently?"

Sophia stared at her confused, "No."

"Okay. Did you buy any wood gotten from the oak tree?"

Every single eye was on her.

Frowning even more confused, Sophia said, "No."

"Did you have someone specially build this chair?"

Sophia glared.

Tired of everything, Aria stood up. She raised the chair up.

"What the fuck are you doing?", Sophia asked her.

Aria turned the chair around inspecting, "Oh. I'm just looking for where your name is inscribed on the chair."

There was muffled laughter around the room. From the corner of her eyes, she saw Knox's lips turn up.

"You little bitch. Listen to me-"

"No", Aria interrupted her, "In the last three days. I was rejected by my mate, who chose my bitch ass twin sister, almost killed by a group of wolves, brought here against my will, almost killed again, then tossed out, almost killed again", she paused trying to catch her breath, "So forgive me if all I want is a little peace and quiet to simply eat."

"I don't-"

"I didn't say you could speak", Aria continued shutting Sophia up, "I'm going to sit back now and eat because I am starving. If you have a problem with it then take it up with my ass."

Aria sat back down munching on her food angrily still mumbling while everyone just looked at her.

"Knox?"Sophia whined.

Knox raised his eyes to meet her, sending her a warning.

She looked around the room. Almost everyone was trying to hide their smile.

She sent a glare at them before stomping away.

Aria heard Lydia whisper to Ryder, "I think I'm going to love her."

Breakfast went on quietly after that.

Knox let his gaze flicker to Aria once in a while. Maybe there was more to her that meets the eye. Even though she hadn't wolfed out yet, she was powerful. He had sensed it.

Looking at her, he wasn't sure she even knew what she was capable of.

The door to the dining room burst open interrupting his thoughts. Jacob came in.

"I was out for a run in my wolf form. Some wolves were talking within the woods and I heard their conversation. So I left the territory to confirm it. The Beta of the Silvercrest pack issued a challenge last night."

The fork in Aria's hand froze, every muscle in her body tensing."

"The fight happened at dawn."

Jacob turned to look at her directly, "Your father didn't survive the challenge. Julian is the new alpha of the Silvercrest pack."

There were low murmurs in the room.

"I'm afraid that not all", Turning to face Knox now, "The Alpha of the Blood Moon Clan to congratulate him. I saw her, Knox. I saw Rebecca with Nikolai. She is alive. Your mate is alive."