Chapter 4: The Sparks That Burn

The next few days passed in a blur, but for Aria, the world felt sharper, brighter, and heavier all at once. She kept her head down, trying to focus on her duties. But no matter how hard she tried, Kian was there in her thoughts—his green eyes, his voice, the way his presence had made her feel seen in a way no one else ever had.

She avoided the forest, though it was a struggle. Her wolf was restless, pacing in the back of her mind like a caged beast. Every instinct screamed at her to go back to the clearing, to find him. But she couldn’t. She couldn’t keep risking everything just because her heart raced at the thought of him.

Still, her resolve cracked one evening as the setting sun painted the forest in shades of gold and crimson. She found herself slipping away again, her feet moving before her mind had fully decided. The shadows of the trees welcomed her, and the familiar scents of pine and earth surrounded her as she ventured deeper into the woods.

When she reached the clearing, her breath caught. He was there, leaning against a tree as though he had been waiting for her.

“You came back,” Kian said, his lips curling into a slow, almost knowing smile.

Aria frowned, trying to steady herself. “Don’t flatter yourself,” she said sharply, though her voice betrayed the slight tremor of nervous excitement.

Kian chuckled, the sound low and warm. “I wasn’t. But it’s nice to see you again.”

She crossed her arms, keeping her distance even as her heart pounded in her chest. “You’re reckless for coming here. If the patrols catch you—”

“They won’t,” he interrupted smoothly, stepping closer. “You think I don’t know how to avoid being seen?”

Aria opened her mouth to retort, but the words faltered as he closed the distance between them. His presence was overwhelming, his scent and warmth wrapping around her like a cloak.

“You shouldn’t keep coming back here,” she said, her voice softer now.

“Neither should you,” he replied, his tone teasing but his gaze serious. “And yet here we are.”

She looked away, her resolve weakening as she struggled to keep her thoughts in order. “This is dangerous.”

“Why?” he asked, his voice dropping to a low, intimate tone. “Because it doesn’t fit into the perfect little plan your father has for you? Because it makes you feel something you don’t want to admit?”

Her wolf growled softly in her chest, both warning and encouragement at once. She hated how easily he could see through her, how his words struck at the heart of everything she was trying to suppress.

“I don’t even know you,” she said, her voice shaking slightly.

“You know enough,” he said, echoing his words from their last meeting. He stepped closer still, his green eyes locked onto hers. “You know this isn’t just nothing, Aria.”

Her breath hitched as he stopped just a foot away from her, the space between them charged with an intensity that made her skin tingle.

“I can’t—” she started, but her words faltered as Kian reached out, his fingers brushing against her wrist. The touch was light, almost hesitant, but it sent a spark racing up her arm.

“Tell me to leave,” he said, his voice low and rough. “If you really want me to go, tell me, and I will.”

Aria stared at him, her heart thundering in her chest. She wanted to say the words, to push him away and return to the safety of her world. But she couldn’t. The pull between them was too strong, the connection undeniable.

“I don’t know what I want,” she whispered, her voice barely audible.

Kian’s gaze softened, and his fingers slid down her wrist to intertwine with hers. The simple gesture made her chest tighten, and she hated how easily he unraveled her defenses.

“Yes, you do,” he said quietly. “You’re just afraid to admit it.”

Her wolf growled again, this time in agreement. Aria hated how right he was, how effortlessly he could strip away her walls and expose the truth she had been trying so hard to bury.

“This can’t work,” she said, though her voice lacked conviction.

“Why not?” Kian asked, his thumb brushing over the back of her hand. “Because you’re the Alpha’s daughter and I’m just some rogue? Or because you’re afraid of what it means if this is real?”

She didn’t answer, her silence speaking volumes.

Kian stepped closer, their bodies nearly touching now. His free hand came up, hesitating for a moment before brushing a strand of hair away from her face. His touch was gentle, his fingertips warm against her skin.

“Tell me you don’t feel it,” he said, his voice barely above a whisper. “Tell me you don’t feel this pull between us.”

Aria’s breath hitched, her heart pounding so loudly she was sure he could hear it. She couldn’t lie, not to him, not to herself.

“I feel it,” she admitted, her voice trembling.

Kian’s lips curved into a soft smile, and for a moment, the weight of the world seemed to fade away.

“So do I,” he said. “And I’m not going to ignore it.”

The air between them was charged, every nerve in her body screaming for her to close the distance, to give in to the longing that had been building since the moment they met.

But before either of them could move, the sound of distant voices shattered the moment.

“Patrols,” Aria whispered, her head snapping toward the direction of the noise.

Kian’s expression hardened, his hand slipping from hers. “You should go,” he said, his voice low but urgent.

Aria hesitated, her heart twisting painfully at the thought of leaving him. But she knew she couldn’t risk him being caught, couldn’t risk what would happen if her father found out.

“I’ll come back,” she said before she could stop herself.

Kian’s eyes softened, a faint smile tugging at his lips. “I’ll be waiting.”

With one last glance, Aria turned and ran, her heart heavy and her thoughts racing. As she disappeared into the forest, she knew one thing for certain: whatever this was between them, it wasn’t over.

And she wasn’t sure she wanted it to be.