Heat beneath the Skin

Aria’s back, wrist, and waist ached as Kael pulled her from the ground. He dragged her in fury. He was so enraged, he didn’t care how hurt she was. Aria couldn’t protest, she only followed him as he pulled her. Her legs protested in pain as they hit the stony floor.

Deep in Aria’s stomach, there was a strange flutter as Kael touched her. That touch felt familiar. She searched her memories but found nothing. It felt… affectionate.

“No, not this, at least not now,” Aria thought.

She wasn’t ready for any feelings now. She didn’t need them. She was here for one purpose, but maybe Kael wasn’t the ruthless Alpha she came to kill.

Kael kept going. He had been watching her patiently for too long. He was ready to know who exactly she was and why she was there. His mind raced with curiosity.

His fingers burned as they met her skin. For a split second, he felt protective — but he shoved the thought aside.

He pulled her until he got to his chamber. He threw her in and slammed the door behind them.

Aria — though shaken by his push and her tired joints — stood still. Her head bowed. She had no clue why the Alpha had pulled her out in the middle of a trial he designed for her.

“Lift your gaze,” he commanded as he stepped close to Aria.

Aria looked up to meet his eyes fixed desperately on her. Her face remained straight, no smiles, no fear, no tears.

He closed the remaining space left between them. He sniffed around her hood, then he pulled it back and sniffed deep into her hair, yet he caught nothing.

“Who are you?” He yelled in frustration as he slammed his hand on his desk.

Aria stood unshaken.

“I’m Lyra Vane,” she responded.

Back in the hall, the tension still lingered in the air. Wolves were murmuring, all in awe of the Alpha’s sudden action.

At that moment, Darian stood, the Beta of the pack and Lucan’s father. He was the black wolf Aria hadn’t recognized earlier on the watch tower.

“Silence!” he ordered. “We all know the Alpha always has valid reasons for every one of his actions, and even if he doesn’t…he’s Alpha. You shouldn’t be murmuring about him and especially not in this hall, you are all senior wolves. You should know better.”

“I should check on him,” Selene said as she rushed down the tower and left the hall.

She was the silvery white wolf Aria hadn’t recognized earlier on the watch tower. She was Kael’s childhood friend and the rumored Luna, though they hadn’t mated yet. Selene knew almost everything that bothered Kael as he tended to share all his plans and worries with her, but she didn’t understand why he acted in that manner towards an insignificant new recruit.

Inside the Alpha’s quarters, Aria didn’t know what Kael wanted. She’d explained who she was and where she was from so many times but kael wasn’t buying it.

“What do you want here?” He asked her again for the umpteenth time.

“I’ve only come to join the Nightfang pack, fight alongside the soldiers and serve the Alpha,” Aria repeated again. Her tone calm though inside, she was tense, scared and insecure, but none of it showed on her face.

“What the hell does he want from me?”

Kael stood tall in front of Aria, his gaze fixed on her. He was searching for answers. He could have ordered that she be exiled but something in him felt protective yet insecure of her motives.

In the hallway strolled Selene. She was rushing down to Kael’s chamber. The last time she saw him that furious was when rogues attacked the pack two years back.

“Alright. Welcome to the Nightfangs,” Kael said as he stepped aside, motioning for Aria to leave his chamber.

“Thank you, Alpha.” Aria responded as she hurried out of his chamber. Tension lingered within her — especially the fear of being caught — but she remained unreadable.

As she stepped out she met the silvery white wolf — Selene — really close to the door. She walked past her hurriedly.

Selene hissed as she watched Aria vanish from the hallway. She was furious at the reason why Kael looked so enraged.

“Alpha.” Selene called unto Kael as she walked into his chamber.

Kael didn’t turn around, he didn’t need to, he knew Selene. Her scent was strong, just like that of lilies. Still confused and frustrated, Kael kept his gaze down.

“What’s wrong?” Selene asked as she moved close to Kael, she hung her right hand on his right shoulder. Her voice was calm and soothing.

Kael turned around, Selene’s hand moved to his temple, but he walked away. He stood at his table.

“There’s something about her.” He said.

“Is it worth your inner peace ?” Selene asked as she walked towards him. “What do you think about her?” she asked.

“She’s too good, her skills are really good. She is fast and strong. Too good to be trained by a rogue.” Kael responded.

“So is this a matter of admiration or…?” Selene pressed.

“Of course not, Snowfur.” Kael replied, teasing Selene with a nickname he had given her while they were still cubs.

“If you feel insecure about her, why don’t you get her exiled?” Selene asked as she rolled her eyes. She didn’t like to see Kael bothered and the fact that a worthless new recruit was the reason only annoyed her more.

“I’m not ready to exile her. At least not yet. She could be useful. I’ll keep an eye on her.” Kael said.

“Alright.” Selene didn’t want to press further. She was going to watch the new dog by herself.

“I should get going now, Lucan would be waiting.” Selene added as she closed the space between her and Kael.

She leaned in and breathed in his scent. She wrapped her hands around him, laid her head on his chest and listened to his heart beat. “Whoever this rogue is, she has to leave,” she thought, her hands stroking Kael’s back slowly.

Her silvery white fur a striking contrast to his brown fur. She loved Kael with all that was within her and she wouldn’t sit back and watch a new recruit steal his peace.

Kael exchanged the warm embrace and soon released his grip on Selene’s waist, forcing her to let go of him too.

Selene walked out and Kael sat at his table, with a thousand thoughts flooding his mind.