Meeting kael

A knock sounded on the door.

“Who’s there?” Kael asked from inside the room.

“It’s Cassian, Your Highness.”

“Come in.”

The door opened, and Cassian stepped inside. He closed it behind him before walking over to the seating area and taking a chair opposite Kael.

“There’s something you should know,” Cassian said.

Kael looked up from the document in his hands.

“A girl was spotted at the border yesterday. She seemed completely helpless. The Luna is aware of her, and she’s currently under her care.”

Kael raised an eyebrow.

“Who is she? A rogue?”

“No, Your Highness.”

Cassian shook his head.

“She had no scent. Not of a werewolf, vampire, witch, or any other supernatural.”

Kael’s expression changed slightly.

“No scent?”

“None.”

Cassian paused.

“It almost seemed as though she was human.”

“Human?”

For the first time, Kael looked genuinely interested.

“That’s... interesting.”

“It is.”

Kael leaned back in his chair.

“What did the pack doctor say?”

“He said she’s fine. She only needs to remain on bed rest for the next few days.”

Kael nodded thoughtfully.

“And after she recovers? What’s the plan?”

“We’ll send her back to wherever she came from.”

Kael was silent for a moment.

Then he nodded.

“I trust your judgment, Cassian.”

His expression hardened slightly.

“As long as she isn’t a threat and has no connection to Maelva, I’m fine with whatever decision you and the Luna make.”

Cassian nodded.

“Of course, Your Highness.”

He stood to leave.

But just as his hand reached the doorknob, Kael spoke again.

“Cassian.”

“Yes, Your Highness?”

Kael’s eyes narrowed.

“Keep an eye on her.”

Cassian turned around.

“On the girl?”

“Yes.”

Kael looked back down at the document in his hands.

“There hasn’t been a confirmed human sighting in centuries. I want to know how she ended up at our border.”

Cassian nodded slowly.

“I’ll look into it.”

He left the room, closing the door behind him.

Kael stared at the closed door for a few seconds.

For some reason, the thought of a human being inside Valthera didn’t sit right with him.

Something about it felt wrong.

Or perhaps...

Something about it felt strangely familiar.

——

The house was enormous.

Aria walked stealthily through the vast mansion, trying not to attract anyone’s attention.

She stared at the intricately decorated interior.

The walls were adorned with beautiful paintings, while golden ornaments and expensive-looking vases stood on polished tables. Crystal chandeliers hung from the ceilings, illuminating the hallway with a warm glow.

Everywhere she looked, the vast wealth of the household was openly displayed.

Everything was beautifully crafted.

Who exactly are these people? She thought to herself.

She continued walking through the hallway, careful to keep her footsteps quiet.

Then she stopped.

A loud growl resonated through the building.

Aria’s eyes widened.

“What was that?”

Another growl followed.

Then came the sound of something heavy hitting the ground.

Curiosity overcame her fear.

She cautiously moved toward the source of the noise until she reached a balcony overlooking the courtyard.

Her eyes widened.

Several young men were training below.

They were all shirtless, their muscular bodies glistening with sweat as they sparred with one another.

But one man immediately caught Aria’s attention.

Right in the middle of the training ground stood a tall, muscular man with his back toward her.

He looked different from the others.

Bigger.

Stronger.

More intimidating.

He was on top of his opponent, landing heavy punches against his chest.

He seemed extremely furious.

Aria pressed both hands against her mouth as she stared at the scene below.

He’s going to kill him.

She looked around at the other men.

She watched in disbelief as the men watched the fight with amusement and admiration instead of stopping it.

Are they okay? She thought to herself.

Then something happened that made aria’s blood run cold.

The man on the ground suddenly stopped fighting.

His body began to tremble violently.

A loud crack echoed through the courtyard.

Another crack followed.

Aria’s eyes widened as the man’s shoulders broadened and his muscles stretched unnaturally.

His fingers curled as sharp claws emerged from his fingertips.

“What the—”

Dark fur began spreading rapidly across his body.

Within seconds, the man who had been lying on the ground was gone.

In his place stood a massive dark wolf.

Aria stumbled backward.

Her heart thudded wildly against her ribcage.

No. This cannot be real

Then the tall man who had been attacking him began to transform.

His body shifted.

Bones cracked.

His muscles expanded.

Silver fur began spreading across his body.

Aria’s breath caught in her throat.

The wolf that emerged was enormous.

It was much larger and ferocious in appearance than the other wolf.

Its golden eyes burned with something almost feral.

The two wolves lunged at each other.

A vicious growl echoed across the courtyard.

The silver wolf slammed into the dark one, sending it crashing to the ground.

Within seconds, the silver wolf had pinned the other wolf beneath him, its massive jaws dangerously close to the other’s throat about to rip it’s throat out.

Aria felt panic rising inside her.

“Stop!”

Her voice echoed through the courtyard.

Everyone froze.

Aria immediately covered her mouth in panic as she realized what she had just done.

Every wolf in the courtyard turned toward her.

The silver wolf raised its head.

Their eyes met.

Golden eyes stared directly into hers.

For a moment, Aria couldn’t move.

There was something strangely intense about the wolf’s gaze.

Then its body began to change.

Bones shifted.

The silver fur disappeared.

The massive wolf slowly transformed back into a man.

He stood upright, breathing heavily.

Aria’s eyes widened.

He was even more intimidating in human form.

He was tall and muscular, with broad shoulders and a powerful build. His dark hair was damp with sweat and tousled from the fight.

Neither of them spoke.

They simply stared at each other.

Then the man turned away and said something to the other men.

Whatever he said made them immediately return to their training.

He walked away.

Aria released the breath she hadn’t realized she was holding.

Finally.

She quickly turned around and began making her way back toward her room.

She had barely taken a few steps when someone suddenly stepped into her path.

Aria screamed.

She stumbled backward.

It was him.

The man from the courtyard.

The tall, handsome man stood directly in front of her.

“Who are you?”

His voice was deep and commanding.

Aria swallowed nervously.

“I...”

She fiddled with her fingers.

“I was just passing by.”

“Passing by?”

His eyebrow lifted.

“That isn’t the answer to my question.”

He took a step closer.

“And besides, what are you doing inside the Luna’s private residence?”

“The Luna’s private residence?”

Aria’s eyes widened.

“I didn’t know it was hers.”

He stared at her for a moment.

Then his eyes narrowed.

He sniffed the air.

His expression immediately changed.

Human.

Cassian had told him the girl had no scent.

But standing this close to her, he could detect something.

It was faint.

Almost nonexistent.

But something was definitely there.

Kael studied her carefully.

Why can I smell her?

His eyes narrowed further.

“What are you?”

Aria’s lips parted.

But before she could answer, a familiar voice echoed through the corridor.

“Aria!”

Aria turned.

Luna Melina was approaching them.

Kael straightened.

“Good morning, Mum.”

“Good morning, Kael.”

Melina glanced between them.

Aria subtly walked towards Luna melina and hid behind her.

“How was your training session?”

“It was going just fine.”

Kael’s gaze shifted toward Aria.

“Until someone decided to interrupt.”

He subtly gestured toward Aria.

She nervously fiddled with the fabric of her clothes.

Melina chuckled.

“Aria, you must have met Kael already.”

Aria looked at him.

“This is my son.”

Aria’s eyes widened slightly.

Her son?

Melina continued.

“Kael Blackthorn.”

Aria suddenly remembered something.

The way everyone spoke to him.

The authority he carried.

The respect surrounding him.

Her eyes widened.

“Hi, Kael,” she greeted nervously.

Kael looked at her in amusement.

The intimidating girl who had shouted at a courtyard full of wolves was now hiding slightly behind his mother.

“Hello.”

His gaze lingered on her for a moment.

There was something about her that he couldn’t understand.

Something that made his wolf restless.

Kael looked away.

“I’m off to get ready for the pack meeting, Mum. I’ll leave you to your guest.”

“Alright.”

Kael turned and walked away.

Aria watched his departing figure.

Then she looked at Melina.

“That was your son?”

Melina smiled.

“Yes.”

Aria swallowed.

There was something she hadn’t expected.

The man she had just watched transform into an enormous silver wolf...

Was the Alpha of the pack she was staying in.