A Seat At The Table

Aria sat on her bed, staring lost in thought.

The words Kael had said in the library continued resonating in her ears.

"Maelva knows you survived, and he is on the search for you."

Why do they want to kill me? How did they find out I am alive? Was it Radro and his pack?

I'm not safe anymore here. I don't even know who to trust anymore. What do I do?

Aria thought to herself.

A soft knock suddenly sounded on the door.

Aria's head snapped toward it. Her heart began pounding against her ribcage as fear crept through her.

“Come in.”

Melina walked toward her and sat down beside her.

“Kael has told you about it, right?”

Aria nodded.

“This was what I was trying to explain to you before. You're not safe outside of Valthera, Aria. For now, you have to remain with us until we're sure they're off your trail. I hope you understand?”

“Yes, I do. I'm just scared. Why are they looking for me? Is it because I'm human? How am I a threat to them? I don't have any supernatural powers. I don't even have any family nor any home. I'm just—”

“No, Aria. Don't say that.”

Melina's expression softened.

“You're like a daughter to me now. Valthera is your home.”

She reached out and gently wiped away a tear from Aria's cheek.

“I'm normally wary of people coming close to me, but with you, it's different. Come here. Don't cry.”

Aria got into the hug Melina offered her and sobbed gently in her arms. Aria buried her face against Melina's shoulder, her body trembling as quiet sobs escaped her lips. Tears streamed down her cheeks as she struggled to catch her breath.

Melina soothed her by rubbing circles on her back.

“Mum, I can't find Kael. Where's he—”

Pria, Melina's first daughter, suddenly walked into the room and stopped when she saw the loving scene between her mother and Aria.

“Mum?”

She stared at Aria.

“Who's she?”

“Oh, Pria, don't disturb us.”

Pria ignored her mother and sat down next to Aria.

“Hi there. I'm Pria. What's your name?”

“I'm Aria,” Aria replied with puffy eyes and a runny nose.

“I'm not usually like this. I'm sorry.” Aria sniffled, wiping her tears.

“Oh no, that's not a problem.”

Pria smiled.

“Is she Kael's girlfriend?”

“Who told you that?”

Kael's voice suddenly came from the doorway.

He stepped into the room and stared at the scene before him.

“What a scene,” Cassian said as he stepped inside.

“Hi, Cass,” Pria sweetly said as she walked up to Cassian and held his arm.

Aria stared at the two of them and noticed the obvious relationship between them.

“Cassian is Pria's mate. A mate is a person chosen by the Moon Goddess to be a werewolf's destined romantic partner,” Luna Melina explained to Aria.

“Ohhh. That explains it.” Aria nodded.

“Hi, Cassian. I'm Aria.”

“Hello, Aria,” Cassian said before returning his attention to his mate, wiggling his fingers at her playfully.

Aria glanced at Kael, who was looking lovingly at Cassian and Pria.

Doesn't he have a mate too? she wondered.

The room suddenly felt crowded.

“We'll leave you to get dressed up. Dinner's downstairs by 6 p.m. Just ask one of the sentinels to direct you, okay?”

Melina said as she ushered everyone out of the room.

“Alright, Ma,” Aria said as she stood up.

“Thank you so much, Ma.”

“You're welcome, Aria.”

Melina caressed her cheek before leaving.

Aria closed and locked her door before walking into the walk-in closet, ready to pick a dress.

Just as she was looking through the clothes, a knock sounded on her door.

It was Kael.

She opened the door, and he stepped inside.

“Hi, Kael. How may I help you?”

Kael sat on her bed and stared at her.

Aria looked awkwardly at him.

“Hello?”

“What are you wearing to the dinner?”

“Why are you asking that?”

“I brought you something. Pria asked me to give it to you.”

He handed her a pink floral dress wrapped in transparent nylon and a box containing a pair of shoes.

“She thought you wouldn't have any suitable dresses to wear, so she asked me to give it to you.”

“Oh, thanks so much. Please relay my gratitude to her.”

Aria took the dress from him.

As her fingers grazed his skin, she felt him stiffen.

For a brief moment, neither of them moved.

Kael looked down at their hands before quickly pulling his hand away.

Aria noticed the strange reaction but said nothing.

She placed the dress and shoes on the bed and then stared at him.

“Oh, I have to go. Alright, see you at dinner, Aria.”

“Yeah. Thank you once again.”

Kael nodded before leaving the room.

Aria watched him disappear down the hallway before closing the door.

She shook her head.

Why does he always act so strangely around me?

She pushed the thought aside and went to take her bath.

At Dinner

By six o'clock, Aria had finished getting ready.

She wore the pink floral dress Pria had given her. It fell gracefully around her body, making her feel a little more comfortable despite the unfamiliar surroundings.

After checking herself one last time in the mirror, she stepped out of her room.

A sentinel waiting outside immediately noticed her.

“Luna asked me to escort you to the dining hall.”

“Oh, alright. Thank you.”

Aria followed him through the hallway.

As they walked, she couldn't help but notice how different everything looked at night.

The crystal chandeliers illuminated the enormous halls, while the golden decorations reflected the soft light.

When they finally reached the dining hall, the sentinel opened the large doors.

Aria stepped inside.

Her eyes immediately widened.

The dining table was enormous.

Kael sat at the head of the table, dressed in a black shirt that made his broad shoulders stand out.

Melina sat beside him.

Pria and Cassian were seated opposite them.

Pria immediately smiled when she saw Aria.

“There she is!”

Aria smiled shyly.

“Hi.”

“Come sit beside me.”

Pria pulled out the chair next to her.

Aria walked over and sat down.

Kael's eyes briefly met hers.

He stared for a second longer than he should have before looking away.

Pria noticed.

A small smile appeared on her face.

“So...” she began teasingly.

Kael gave her a warning look.

“Don't.”

Pria laughed.

“I haven't even said anything.”

Cassian chuckled.

Melina shook her head.

“Let's eat before the two of you start something.”

Aria smiled faintly.

For the first time since arriving in Valthera, she didn't feel completely like an outsider.

But as she looked around the table, she couldn't shake the feeling that something was about to change.

And somewhere far beyond Valthera's borders, someone was already hunting for her.