CHAPTER 5: War At The Gates

ARIA’S POV

Three days.

I’d been in Kael’s mansion for three days, and I still couldn’t believe this was real.

The room was larger than my entire servants’ quarters back at Crescent Moon. Soft bed, warm blankets, a bathroom with actual hot water.

Elena, the healer, visited twice daily. She was kind, never looking at me with pity.

And the food. Three full meals a day. Fresh fruit, warm bread, real meat. My body didn’t know what to do with so much nourishment after months of starvation.

“You need to eat more,” Elena said that morning. “Your body needs nourishment.”

“I’m trying,” I said softly. “My stomach can’t handle much yet.”

She nodded. “Small portions, frequently. We’ll get you healthy again.”

Healthy. When was the last time I’d been healthy?

A knock on the door made me turn.

“Come in.”

Marcus, Kael’s Beta, entered. Tall, muscular, with kind green eyes.

“Morning, Aria. Kael wants to see you. In his office.”

My stomach twisted. “Why?”

Marcus’s expression darkened. “Someone’s here. From your old pack.”

All the air left my lungs. “Who?”

“Alpha Derek Stone. He’s at the border, demanding you back. Says you’re his property.”

No. No, no, no.

“I can’t go back,” I whispered, panic rising. “Please—”

“Hey.” Marcus stepped closer. “Breathe. Kael’s not letting anyone take you. He just wants you there when he tells Derek to go to hell.”

“He wants me there?”

“He thinks you deserve to see it.” Marcus offered his arm. “Come on.”

Kael’s office was massive. He stood behind his desk, arms crossed, expression carved from ice.

When his silver eyes landed on me, something softened.

“Aria. Come here.”

I moved forward slowly.

“Derek’s at the border,” Kael said. “Claiming you’re still bound to Crescent Moon Pack. Demanding your return.”

“The rejection was complete,” I said, voice shaking. “The bond broke.”

“I know. But he’s invoking an old law—rejected mates remain pack property for one year unless claimed by another Alpha.” Kael’s eyes narrowed. “Were you aware of this?”

I shook my head. “No one told me.”

“Of course not.” Kael moved around the desk. “Here’s what’s happening. I’m meeting Derek at the border. You’re coming with me.”

Fear spiked through me. “What if he—”

“He won’t touch you.” Kael’s voice was absolute. “I want him to see you’re under my protection now. That you’re mine.”

“Okay,” I whispered.

Twenty minutes later, we were driving toward the border in a black SUV. Marcus drove, Kael beside me in the back, two more vehicles full of Lycan warriors following.

My hands trembled.

Kael took my hand in his, warm and steady. “Breathe. You’re safe.”

We reached the border. Derek stood on the other side with ten warriors.

My former mate looked the same. Blonde hair, blue eyes, Alpha stance.

But seeing him now, I felt… nothing. No pull. No longing. Just emptiness where the bond used to be.

Kael stepped out first, radiating power.

I followed, staying close.

Derek’s eyes locked on me. Something flickered across his face—surprise, anger.

“Aria,” he called. “Get over here. Now.”

I didn’t move.

Kael stepped in front of me, a clear barrier.

“She’s not going anywhere,” Kael said, deadly calm.

Derek’s jaw clenched. “With all due respect, this doesn’t concern you. Aria is a member of my pack. She left without permission.”

“She didn’t leave. She escaped.” Kael’s power rolled out, making the air heavy. “There’s a difference.”

“That’s not how pack law works—”

“I don’t care about your pack law. She’s under my protection now.”

Derek’s warriors shifted nervously.

“You can’t just steal pack members. The council—”

“The council will side with me. Always do.” Kael’s smile was razor-sharp. “Now leave before I decide you’ve trespassed long enough.”

“I rejected her fairly, but she’s still bound to Crescent Moon for one year. That’s the law. Unless another Alpha formally claims her, she has to return.”

My blood ran cold.

Kael turned to look at me, expression unreadable.

Then he turned back to Derek.

“Fine. You want a formal claim?” Kael’s voice dropped, dangerous. “Aria Winters is my second chance mate. The bond has been recognized and accepted. She belongs to me now. Not to you. Not to your pack. To me.”

Derek’s face went white.

“That’s impossible. She was just rejected six months ago—”

“And yet here we are.” Kael’s hand moved to my back, claiming. “The Moon Goddess has spoken. Aria is mine. Try to take her, and you’ll start a war you can’t win.”

Silence fell.

Derek stared at me. “Is this true? Is he really your mate?”

I stepped forward, voice stronger than expected. “Yes.”

“But you’re—” Derek caught himself, but not fast enough.

“Too fat to be a Luna?” I finished. “That’s what you said. In front of everyone.”

Derek flinched.

“Funny thing,” I continued, surprised by the steel in my voice. “The Moon Goddess didn’t seem to think so. She gave me a second chance. With someone who actually wants me.”

Kael’s hand tightened on my back. Supportive. Proud.

Derek’s expression twisted. “Celeste is pregnant. The pack—”

“The pack will be fine without me. You made sure of that when you stripped my rank and made me a servant.”

“I’m trying to follow pack law—”

“No.” Kael’s voice cut like a blade. “You’re trying to save face. You rejected your fated mate publicly, and now everyone knows she found someone better. That makes you look weak.”

Derek’s warriors exchanged glances.

“This conversation is over,” Kael said flatly. “Aria stays with me. Take it up with the High Council if you want. But they’ll side with a Lycan King over a small-pack Alpha who can’t keep his own mate.”

Derek’s face flushed red.

“You’ll regret this, Blackthorne.”

“No. You will.” Kael’s smile was cold. “Because every time you look at your chosen mate, you’ll remember the one the Moon Goddess actually gave you. The one you threw away. The one who’s now mine.”

Kael turned, guiding me back to the SUV.

I climbed in, whole body shaking.

Through the window, I watched Derek standing at the border, defeat written across his face.

And I felt… free.

For the first time in six months, I felt free.

The SUV pulled away.

Kael still held my hand.

“Thank you,” I whispered.

“Don’t thank me yet,” he said quietly. “Derek’s not going to let this go. Men like him don’t handle rejection well.”

“So what do we do?”

Kael’s eyes darkened.

“We prepare for whatever comes next.”