Chapter 15: Beneath the Moonlit Lies

The night was thick with silence as Aria stared out her chamber window, the silver moonlight spilling over her skin like a veil of secrets. Her thoughts raced, tangled in the confusion that Alpha Kael’s sudden tenderness had brought.

He had touched her like she meant something.

That scared her more than his wrath.

A knock came at the door—not forceful like before, but tentative. Aria’s heart leapt into her throat. She had barely caught her breath when the door creaked open and Kael stepped in.

Without his armor of dominance, he looked almost... haunted.

"I shouldn’t be here," he said gruffly, but didn’t turn back.

"Then leave," she replied, gripping the edge of the window frame to steady herself.

But he didn’t.

Instead, he stepped into the room fully, closing the door behind him. The air grew tense, electric.

“I thought I could ignore it,” Kael murmured, his voice low. “This pull between us... the way your scent haunts me every damn night.”

Aria’s pulse quickened. “What do you want from me, Kael?”

“Answers,” he said, stepping closer. “You’re hiding something.”

Her fingers clenched. He was right, of course. But if he ever found out who she truly was, what her bloodline carried, he’d destroy her without a second thought.

“I’m hiding nothing but the truth that you refuse to see,” she said carefully. “That your kingdom is rotting from within.”

He scoffed, his jaw tightening. “You speak in riddles, always.”

“Because the truth would ruin you,” she said, meeting his gaze. “And I don’t think you’re ready to burn down your world for it.”

Kael’s eyes flashed. For a moment, he looked as though he might strike her. But then—he did something worse. He stepped closer. His hand reached out and tilted her chin up.

“Try me.”

Aria inhaled sharply. He was too close. She could feel the heat radiating off him, the battle between anger and something else flickering in his stormy eyes.

She wanted to run. But her legs wouldn’t move.

“You say you hate me,” she whispered. “But you came.”

He looked torn, like a king at war with his own crown.

“Because you confuse me,” he admitted. “You weren’t supposed to be... this.”

“This?”

“Everything.”

Those words settled deep in her chest. But she wouldn’t let them soften her.

“You’ll regret this,” she said quietly. “The truth is darker than you know.”

“Then show me,” he said, voice rough. “Make me regret it.”

He leaned in, and for one breathless moment, Aria thought he would kiss her. But instead, he pulled away abruptly, as if scorched.

“I’ll expect you in the council chamber at first light,” he said, masking whatever emotion had flickered in his eyes.

Before she could respond, he turned and disappeared into the night.

Dawn came quickly, and with it the summons.

Aria was escorted by two guards to the ancient council chamber. Carved from obsidian stone and lined with wolf insignias, the room pulsed with authority and judgment.

Kael sat on the throne, flanked by his most trusted advisors—Beta Rowan, the silver-haired strategist; Commander Vayne, all muscle and scars; and an elder named Sorren, whose eyes seemed to see too much.

She stood in the center of the room, hands chained loosely—more for show than necessity.

"Lady Aria of the Silverwood," Kael said, his voice echoing off the walls. “You are here to answer for your secrets.”

“I didn’t realize truth was a crime,” she said.

“Then speak it plainly,” Beta Rowan interjected. “Who are you?”

Aria’s eyes flicked toward Kael. “I am the daughter of Alpha Theron... and the bearer of a bloodline your kingdom tried to erase.”

A ripple passed through the council. Even Kael stiffened.

“That name is forbidden,” Sorren hissed.

“Because you feared what he stood for,” Aria said boldly. “Unity. Truth. A world not ruled by bloodshed.”

Kael stood slowly. “Theron was a traitor.”

“No,” she said. “He was betrayed.”

A silence fell so heavy it could have crushed stone.

Kael descended the steps of his throne and approached her, his expression unreadable.

“If what you say is true,” he said, “then you are a direct threat to this throne.”

Aria lifted her chin. “Only if you fear truth more than lies.”

For a moment, the entire room held its breath.

Then Kael spoke again, softer this time.

“Unchain her.”

The guards hesitated, but obeyed.

Kael leaned in, his voice meant for her alone.

“You just declared war, Aria. Let’s hope your secrets are worth the blood that will be spilled.”

And with that, the real game began.

That night, Aria returned to her chamber only to find a sealed envelope waiting on her pillow.

Inside, a note written in hurried ink:

“You are not alone. Midnight. Forest edge. Wear the mark.”

There was no signature. No seal.

But she recognized the handwriting.

Her mother’s.

Heart pounding, Aria pressed the note to her chest. If her mother was alive, everything changed. Every step she'd taken, every secret she’d buried—it had all led to this.

She tucked the note away and whispered a silent vow.

The storm had begun. And she would either rise with it...

Or be consumed by it.