Chapter 4

Aria

Lucas was already on the training field, leaning on the weapons' rack, looking like he had all the time in the world. He took me in from head to toe, his sharp eyes squinting at my torn sleeves and the bruises still fresh from yesterday's disaster with the elders.

"You look like hell," he tossed, then threw a small bag at me. "Figured you would come, so I packed this for you. Basic supplies."

I caught it and tightened my fingers around the worn straps. I didn’t thank him. I wasn’t in the mood for niceties. My mind was already moving along the road ahead, down a long stretch of what would be unknown for me—Black Glow Pack, the monster who destroyed my family.

Lucas scrutinized me, as though he were waiting for the moment I would crack and rethink this insane plan, then turn back. But no. There was no going back now. There would never be.

"You don't have to do this alone, Aria," he said after some time. His voice had softened, but I could hear the frustration underneath. "At least take one of the warriors. Someone to watch your back."

I laughed, but it wasn't funny. "Oh yeah, like the same warriors who couldn't care less when my parents were slaughtered? The ones who sat around while my sister was abducted?" I shook my head. "No thanks. I can handle myself."

"Then I guess it's time I taught you," he said, rubbing the back of his neck. "Better than a knife."

I looked over his shoulder at the weapons lying against the wall behind him—guns, crossbows—and honestly, what good would it do me? I didn't know how to use any of them. A knife's not hard. Cut their throat and get out.

"I can't afford the lesson right now. I've got to move."

Lucas swore and dropped it. Instead, he picked out a smaller knife from the rack, one that was sleeker and sharper, and tossed it to me. "At least take this one. It'll do more damage."

I slid it into my belt without saying a word and threw the bag over my shoulder. My pulse was steady in my neck, my resolve feeling like steel. I was turning to leave when Lucas grabbed my wrist. "Aria—"

"Don't try to stop me."

He didn't. After a beat, he let go, but his next words hit harder than a punch. "If you don't come back, who will fight for them?"

I clenched my jaw. "I will be back." A promise. A threat. Whatever he wanted it to be.

And so, I went out.

Outside, the air was thick, almost like the world was aware that I was about to do something reckless. Fine, let it watch. I headed toward where the train station stood on the far outskirts of the village and began to sort out all the next steps in my head.

Then came that familiar shout over all the noise: "Aria! Wait!"

"Dahlia."

I turned and sighed under my breath. It was Dahlia. She was sprinting toward me, hair in disarray, panic engulfing her blue eyes. I did not need this. Not now.

"Don't do this," she gasped, holding onto my arm. "Please."

I jerked free. "Dahlia, let it go."

"No! You're walking into a trap. You don't even know what you're dealing with!"

I stared at her. "So what am I supposed to do? Sit? Wait for another 'decision' from the elders while my sister suffers? While my parents' killers go unpunished?"

A flinch, but she wasn't backing down. "At least take someone with you! Lucas—"

"Lucas already tried." I stepped closer, lowering my voice. "And so are you. It's a waste of time because nothing—nothing—is stopping me."

Dahlia swallowed hard. "Aria, if you die—"

"Then I will at least have done something," I said, voice shaking. "More than any of you."

Her mouth opened, but she had nothing more to say. Good. I was done talking. I turned behind and walked toward the train station, my heartbeat loud in my ears.

The platform had only a couple of travelers studying their nails. It was an already packed train that had been waiting at the platform with open doors; a one-way ticket to hell.

I stepped on, spied an empty seat, and let go of a long breath when the train lurched and darted forward.

No way back now.

****

The train screeched to a grinding halt, shaking away memories of the sharp sound. Taking off my bag from my shoulder, I stepped off the moving metal monster to cold, damp ground. The station was barely that—a crumbling platform at the end of nowhere, rot-sour and piss-smelling in the air. Not a single soul in sight. Just how I wanted it.

I had no time to waste—my sister was trapped with that bastard, and every second I spent standing here, she was suffering. I tightened my grip on my bag and stepped off the way into the trees. The Black Glow Pack's territory was still miles away, and now I was finishing the rest on foot. Not ideal, but nothing about this was.

The wind howled through the trees, proclaiming the warnings I didn't have time to listen to. A low moon hung in the sky like a melancholic eye, casting an eerie specter over the distorted branches. Boots crunched against damp earth as I moved quickly, senses sharp, every hair on my body standing on edge.

Then I smelled them.

Rotten. Feral. Filthy.

Rogues.

I muttered under my breath, suddenly stopping mid-step. The air grew thick with their scent—too thick. Fear gripped my soul, my heart hammering in my chest. They had come near enough. I reached for my knife, fingers tightening around the handle as I listened even though I could feel my trembling body.

A twig snapped. And my heart leaped out of my chest for a second.

I spun just as two shapes burst forth from shadow, eyes glowing with sick hunger. The two filthy ones were shamelessly adorned in rags, they looked like they had spent years in the woods, their bodies odious with unwashed fur and dried blood.

"Well, well," sneered one, a cruel smile stretching across his scarred face. "What do we have here? A little wolf lost in the dark?"

The snicker in his tone almost got my soul out of my body but I tried to hold myself.

"Don't be scared Aria" I muttered to myself.

The other one sneered, stepping closer. "A pretty one, too. What's a thing like you doing all alone in the trees?" He chuckled.

I didn't respond. My grip on my knife tightened, heart hammering against my ribs. Their eyes glowed as their fangs shoot out, sharp.

How the hell am I supposed to do this?

"I'll make this easy," I said, voice chilling. "Get lost, or I will rip your throats out." I threatened but the words didn't come out as I wanted, my voice cracked, giving away how scared I was.

Scarface laughed and spat foul into the air between us. "That's cute, sweetheart."

They moved fast, but I was a second quicker, how I did it I still don't know, maybe survival instinct?

Scarface lunged first, claws slashing the air in front of me. I ducked. Knife up, I caught him across the arm. He let out a pained howl, stumbling back, but the second was already on me. His weight crashed just into my side, knocking me down with the air from my lungs.

He pinned me, breath hot against my face. "Feisty girl," he snarled, but before he could do more, I kneed him hard—right between the legs. Lucas had taught me that a few times.

He howled, rolling off me. I scrambled to my feet, adrenaline rushing through my blood. My wolf was clawing at the surface, itching to be free, and I did not fight it.

A growl ripped through me, deep and savage, as my body twisted and stretched. The pain seared through my bones during the shift, clothes tearing away and giving way from the human form to fur and fangs. I tore out loud on all fours, shook out my white coat, and stared into the two rogues' eyes.

The sneers faded.

"A white wolf?" Scarface whispered, eyes wide. "Damn."

They weren't laughing any longer.

My resolve faltered a bit. Should I pounce on them or make a run? The option was obvious. I dashed off leaping as fast as my feet could carry.

Finally making my way far away from them.