four

By the time they reached Kael's territory, Aria could barely feel her legs.

They had been walking for hours, and every part of her body was tired. Her feet hurt, her shoulders ached, and the small bag hanging from her shoulder suddenly felt much heavier than it had that morning.

Kael, however, looked like he could keep walking for another day.

Aria glanced at him. He hadn't complained once. He was a Lycan, and she was just human, that enought was more than clear.

She looked ahead again and frowned when the trees finally began to thin.

She had expected Kael's territory to look terrifying.

After everything she had heard about the Rogue Alpha, she had imagined a dark fortress hidden deep inside the forest. She had imagined dangerous wolves standing guard, growling at anyone who came near.

Instead, she saw a quiet settlement. Wooden houses stood between the trees, all of them well maintained. There were several wolves moving around, carrying supplies, talking to each other, and tending to the land.

It looked almost peaceful.

Aria slowed down.

"This is your territory?"

Kael glanced at her.

"Yes."

She looked around again.

"Where are all the dangerous rogues?"

A small smile almost appeared on his face.

"They're people, Aria. Not monsters."

She looked at him.

"That's not what I've heard."

"I know."

They continued walking and the moment the people noticed Kael, their conversations became quieter.

Several wolves looked at him, then at Aria.Their eyes lingered on her longer than she liked. Some looked curious and others looked suspicious.

Aria suddenly became uncomfortable.

Kael noticed this, he stopped in the middle of the settlement and looked around at everyone.

"This is Aria."

Nobody said anything and this made Kael's expression harden.

"She's under my protection."

That was all he said, he didn't explain who she was or tell them she was his mate or explain why she was there, he simply turned and continued walking.

Aria hurried after him.

"That's it?"

Kael looked over his shoulder.

"What?"

"You introduced me like I was a package you brought home."

"I told them you're under my protection."

"I noticed."

"Then what's the problem?"

Aria stopped walking.

"The problem is that everyone is staring at me."

Kael stopped too.

"They're curious."

"They're staring at me like I'm the strangest thing they have ever seen. "

"You are human."

Her eyes narrowed.

"And?"

Kael looked at her for a moment.

"And nothing."

"Then stop saying it like it's a weakness."

His expression changed slightly.

"I didn't mean it that way."

"Maybe not, but everyone else does."

Kael didn't answer.

Aria crossed her arms.

"I've spent my whole life being reminded that I'm human. I don't need you doing it too."

Kael simply looked at her in silence, then he nodded

"Understood."

She hadn't expected him to agree so easily, he turned and continued walking.

Aria followed him, still slightly annoyed.

They reached a larger house at the edge of the settlement. It wasn't a fortress either. It was a large, dark wooden house with wide windows and a covered porch.

Kael opened the door.

"You're staying here."

Aria stepped inside. The house was simple but comfortable. There was a large sitting room, a fireplace, a wooden table and several chairs. Nothing about it looked like the home of a feared Rogue Alpha.

She turned toward Kael.

"I thought you'd live somewhere more..."

"Dangerous?"

"Something like that."

He raised an eyebrow.

"Sorry to disappoint you."

She almost smiled at him..

"Maybe a little."

Kael walked down the hallway and opened a door.

"This is your room."

Aria stepped inside. There was a bed, a small wardrobe and a window overlooking the trees. It wasn't luxurious, but it was more than enough.

She put her bag down.

"How long am I staying?"

Kael remained by the door.

"Until I know why they're hunting you."

Aria looked at him.

"And after that?"

"You can leave."

Something about the answer bothered her, she didn't know why. Maybe because a small part of her had expected him to say she could stay.

She pushed the thought away.

"Fine."

Kael nodded and turned to leave but Aria noticed something. His eyes briefly dropped toward her wrist.

The moment she looked down, he looked away.

Her eyebrows pulled together.

"What?"

"Nothing."

"You were looking at my wrist."

Kael's expression became unreadable.

"I was looking at your hand."

"Why?"

"I wasn't."

"You were."

He stared at her for a moment before looking away.

"Get some rest."

Then he left. Aria watched him disappear down the hallway.

Something wasn't right. She looked down at the strange mark around her wrist.

Kael knew something about it, she was sure of it The question was what.

---

That evening, Aria ate dinner alone. Kael didn't join her.

She wasn't sure whether she was relieved or disappointed. She hated that she was even thinking about it.

After dinner, she returned to her room and sat on the edge of the bed. The house was quiet.

She looked around and finally since leaving the pack, she had a moment to think. Everything had happened so quickly. She touched her wrist.

The strange symbols were still there, she traced one of the lines with her finger.

"What are you?"

Aria sighed deeply as she stared at it. She lay down and pulled the blanket over herself. Maybe tomorrow she would find some answers.

She closed her eyes and for several minutes, everything remained quiet, then her wrist began to burn.

Aria's eyes flew open and she sat up.

"What the..."

The mark was glowing and a faint light spread beneath her skin, following the strange lines around her wrist. The heat became stronger.

Aria grabbed her wrist.

"Stop."

The mark didn't listen. She stumbled out of bed and looked toward the door.

The strange light grew brighter and at the same moment, somewhere else in the house, Kael suddenly opened his eyes.

He had been sitting in his office when the bond hit him.

Fear... Pain and confusion...Aria. He stood so quickly that his chair fell backward, he didn't bother picking it up.

He rushed down the hallway and stopped outside her room. He could feel her fear through the bond.

"Aria?"

He yelled out but got no answer.

He opened the door and found Aria standing beside the bed, holding her wrist. The strange mark was glowing brightly.

Kael froze and his face changed.

Aria eyes met with his and she saw genuine fear in his eyes.

"Kael?" she called his name in a low voice but he didn't answer, he continued to stare at her wrist. Aria looked between him and the mark.

"What is happening?"

Kael took a step closer and the mark suddenly flashed brighter. He stopped and his breathing changed.

Aria noticed immediately.

"You know what this is."

He remained silent.

"Kael."

She lowered her wrist.

"You knew."

His eyes finally met hers and there was something in them that made her stomach tighten, why was there so much fear in his eyes.

"What is this?" she asked again.

Kael looked at the mark and his jaw tightened. He seemed to be fighting with himself over whether he should speak.

Finally, he lowered his voice.

"That mark shouldn't exist."

Aria stared at him.

"What do you mean?"

Kael didn't answer and his silence scared her more than the glowing mark....