Chapter 3

Aria

I have thought so hard about it. I need at least a few guards or warriors to go rescue Whitney from that monster. I have to join the meeting today and ask them for a few.

The meeting started earlier than I expected. After their endless bickering—which I had no patience for—I laid down my request. But, as expected, their response was ridiculous.

"You can’t be serious."

I slammed my hand on the long wooden table, the loud thud echoing through the room where the pack elders sat, their eyes filled with condescension as if I were some naive child throwing a tantrum. My hands curled into fists at my sides, nails digging into my palms as I took in their bored, indifferent faces.

“I am serious,” Elder Thomas said, adjusting his robe as if this was some casual discussion and not my entire world being torn apart. “The pack cannot afford to send warriors on a personal matter.”

“Personal matter?” I let out a bitter laugh, sharp and hollow. “That Alpha burned my parents alive! He’s holding my sister like some caged animal, and you’re telling me it’s a personal matter?”

Elder Graham sighed, rubbing his wrinkled forehead like I was giving him a headache. “Revenge will not bring your parents back, child. You must accept what has happened and move forward.”

Move forward? Was this man serious? My chest burned with the urge to scream, to rip this entire place apart, but I forced myself to breathe through clenched teeth.

“I’m not asking for your advice,” I growled. “I’m asking for warriors. Our warriors. The same ones who swore to protect this pack, protect our people.”

“We protect the pack as a whole,” Elder Marcus finally spoke, his voice slow and deliberate, like he was speaking to someone who lacked basic understanding. “Not individuals who seek vengeance.”

“Vengeance?” I slammed both hands on the table this time, making a few of the older men flinch. “This isn’t about vengeance. This is about justice. That Alpha slaughtered my family, and you expect me to sit here and accept it?”

“It was unfortunate,” Elder Thomas said. “But we cannot risk war.”

“Oh, but you had no problem sending my father and his men to fight in your last war?” I shot back. “You had no problem spilling their blood for your political games, but when it’s time to defend our own, you suddenly grow cautious?”

Thomas narrowed his eyes. “Watch your tone, girl.”

“Or what?” I sneered. “You’ll throw me in the dungeons? Go ahead, then. At least I won’t have to sit here and listen to this cowardice.”

Silence. Heavy, thick, suffocating silence. These men never cared. They never had. I had grown up watching my father fight for this pack, bleed for this pack, and in the end, they wouldn’t even lift a finger for him.

“You have our answer.” Elder Graham’s tone was final. Cold.

I closed my eyes and breathed slowly, but the fire raging inside me refused to be tamed. My hands trembled from the effort of holding myself back from lunging across the table and ending this pathetic charade myself.

“So that’s it?” My voice had lost its usual edge, now laced with something far deadlier. “You’re just going to sit there and let that monster get away with this?”

“There is nothing we can do,” Marcus said, his voice filled with maddening indifference, as if this was some lesson in accepting defeat.

I stepped back and shook my head. My chest ached, heavy with rage and disappointment. I had spent my whole life believing we were under the protection of these so-called elders. That they would lead us. That they would fight for us.

They were nothing but spineless cowards hiding behind laws and traditions.

“You’re wrong,” I whispered. “I can do something.”

And with that, I turned on my heel, furious with myself for not doing something impulsive, for not walking over and tearing them apart with my bare hands.

Once outside, the crisp morning air met my heated face, but it did nothing to cool my fury. My fists clenched, my nails digging into my skin as I stormed down the dirt path leading to my cabin.

“Hey!” A voice I knew too well called after me before I even turned.

Lucas.

The only warrior who had ever stood by my side. The only one I still trusted.

I turned to face him, and by the look in his eyes, I could tell he already knew how the meeting had gone.

“They said no, didn’t they?” he asked, his jaw tight, his fists clenched at his sides.

“They refused,” I spat. “Said it was a personal matter. Like my parents being murdered wasn’t reason enough.”

Lucas let out a sharp breath, shaking his head. “I’m sorry.”

“Don’t be,” I muttered. “I don’t need their permission.”

His eyes sharpened. “You’re going alone?”

“I don’t have a choice.”

“Are you fucking kidding me, you can’t do this by yourself,” he pressed, stepping closer. “That Alpha’s pack is stupidly huge. This is fucking suicide.”

I laughed bitterly. “Then I guess I’ll die trying.”

Lucas swore under his breath, raking a hand through his hair. “Damn, you are impossible.”

“Yeah, well, I didn’t get this far by being weak.”

He sighed, and for a moment, I saw the internal battle waging inside him. He wanted to help. But he was pledged to the elders, and helping me meant betraying them.

“Be smart about this…” he muttered. “Rushing in blind will get you killed.”

“I know what I’m doing,” I lied. I had no plan. Just anger and determination. “I’ll figure it out.”

Lucas studied me, his jaw tight, his eyes unreadable. Finally, he sighed. “At least take supplies, weapons. You can’t go in unarmed.”

I nodded. That, at least, was something I could agree to.

He glanced around before lowering his voice. “Meet me behind the training grounds in an hour. I’ll get you what you need."

I clenched my jaw. “They’ll know you helped me.”

“I’ll handle it.”

I hesitated. Lucas had always been there for me, but I didn’t want him throwing his life away for this. “You don’t have to…”

“I want to.” He cut me off. “Just don’t get yourself fucking killed.”

I exhaled shakily and nodded. “I’ll see you in an hour.”

I turned away, my mind already racing with what needed to be done. If the pack wouldn’t help me, so be it. I didn’t need them.

I’d do this on my own. Even if I have no idea how I plan to do that.

For a moment, memories of my family filled my head, yes I was treated less by my parents but being alone feels like my heart being ripped out of my chest, I didn't even see them all day before they died, because I went to sit by the stream. I wanted some peace but right now, there's no trace of peace in my heart.

Whatever it is I have to do to bring Whitney back I will do it.