Chapter Forty-Five - The Morning He Left

Aria’s POV

I woke up with a start.

For a few seconds, I remained still, staring at the ceiling as I tried to remember what had disturbed my sleep. Then I reached toward the other side of the bed.

It was empty and the sheets were cold.

“Kael?”

I pushed myself upright and looked around the room. His pillow was slightly indented, but there was no sign of him.

Perhaps he had woken earlier to attend to something in his office.

I threw the covers aside and hurried out of bed. I hadn’t slept properly all night. Every time I closed my eyes, I imagined Kael standing on a battlefield, surrounded by enemies, with the sounds of clashing claws and howling wolves filling the air.

I had spent hours wishing he would change his mind about going to Crimson Snow but he hadn’t promised to stay.

He had only promised to return.

I quickly washed my face, changed into a simple dress, and stepped into the hallway.

The moment I emerged, something felt wrong.

The packhouse was unusually busy, yet strangely quiet. Several warriors moved through the corridors carrying weapons and leather packs. Omegas hurried past with bundles of supplies, while others whispered to one another in low voices.

Nobody seemed interested in their usual morning routines.

Even the servants who normally greeted me with cheerful smiles barely stopped to acknowledge my presence.

“What’s happening?” I asked one of the passing omegas.

She paused and bowed. “Good morning, Luna.”

“Good morning. Why is everyone in such a hurry?”

The young woman hesitated. “I’m sorry, Luna. The warriors are preparing for the Alpha’s journey.”

My heart skipped. “Journey?”

She glanced toward the entrance “He’s leaving this morning.”

I didn’t wait for her to say anything else.

I gathered my dress and hurried down the hallway, my bare feet making quick sounds against the polished floor. My heart was pounding so hard that I could barely hear anything around me.

He was leaving and he hadn’t told me.

I rushed down the stairs, nearly missing the last step in my haste. As soon as I reached the entrance, I pushed through the open doors.

The cool morning air struck my face.

Kael stood beside his royal horse, dressed in dark battle armor. The familiar black leather covered his chest and shoulders, while a sword hung at his waist. His expression was serious, his posture straight and commanding.

Five guards stood nearby, each dressed and equipped for the journey. Their horses were already saddled, and their supplies had been secured.

Kael was speaking to one of the guards when he turned.

His eyes found mine immediately. For a brief moment, he looked surprised.

Then his expression changed.

“Aria?”

I didn’t answer as I ran toward him.

He barely had time to open his arms before I threw myself against his chest. His hands caught me firmly, and I wrapped my arms around his waist, holding him as though I could somehow prevent him from leaving.

“Why didn’t you wake me?” I whispered.

Kael lowered his head, his cheek brushing against my hair.

“I’m sorry.”

I pulled back enough to look at him.“You’re leaving already?”

“I have to.” He said sadly.

“When were you planning to tell me?”

He sighed and brushed his thumb over my cheek.

“I didn’t want to wake you. You barely slept last night, and I thought it would be better to let you rest.”

“Rest?” I repeated, my voice trembling. “How was I supposed to rest when I knew you were leaving?”

His expression softened. “I know.”

“No, you don’t.” I shook my head. “I woke up, and you weren’t there. Then I came downstairs and found everyone preparing for your departure. I had to hear it from an omega.”

“Aria…” he sighed tiredly.

“You promised me you’d tell me everything. You promised you’d try to make peace with Alpha Dominic. I didn’t think you’d leave so early.”

“I am still going to make peace with him.” He held my shoulders gently. “That’s why I’m going to Crimson Snow. I want to speak to Dominic personally before this situation gets worse.”

“And the guards?” I raised a brow

“They’re coming with me for protection.” He explained.

I glanced at the five warriors standing a short distance away. They were pretending not to pay attention, but I knew they had heard every word.

“Is that enough protection?”

Kael gave me a faint smile. “I’m not going there to fight, Aria.”

“But what if he refuses to listen?” I asked worriedly.

“Then I’ll return home and consider our next move. I’m not going to walk into Crimson Snow looking for trouble.”

I lowered my eyes.

I wanted to believe him. I wanted to believe that Alpha Dominic would listen to reason and that Kael would return before anything terrible happened.

But there was something frightening about seeing him dressed in armor.

It made the possibility of war feel real.

I reached up and touched the edge of his chest armor.

“Be careful.” I whispered. “Don’t trust him too easily.”

“I won’t.” He smiled.

“And don’t let anyone provoke you.” I warned.

A small smile tugged at his lips. “Are you giving your Alpha instructions?”

“Yes,” I replied immediately. “And you should listen to them.”

He chuckled softly, but the sound disappeared almost as quickly as it came.

“I will be careful,” he promised. “I’ll speak to Dominic, find out what he wants, and do everything I can to settle this without bloodshed.”

I nodded, trying to hold myself together.

“When will you return?”

“As soon as I can.” He replied.

“That isn’t an answer.”

He looked at me for a moment before cupping my face. “I’ll come back to you, Aria.”

My lips trembled. “You’d better.”

His eyes softened, and he leaned down to press his forehead against mine.

“I have a wife waiting for me here. Do you honestly think I’d stay away longer than necessary?”

I swallowed. “I’m serious, Kael.”

“So am I.”

He kissed my forehead, then brushed his lips against my cheek.

I closed my eyes, trying to memorize the warmth of his touch.

For so long, I had been afraid of letting Kael get too close. I had worried about losing my independence, about being trapped in a marriage I hadn’t chosen, about trusting a man who had once hurt me.

But standing there, with his arms around me and his horse waiting behind him, I realized how much his absence frightened me.

I wasn’t ready to lose him.

“Can you stay a little longer?” I whispered.

His gaze moved toward the waiting guards before returning to me.

“I wish I could.”

I nodded, though my heart sank.

He kissed my forehead once more before slowly releasing me.

“Go back inside. It’s cold out here.”

“I’ll stay until you leave.” I said stubbornly .

“Aria…” he frowned.

“Please, Kael.” I insisted.

He studied my face, then gave a small nod. “All right.”

He turned toward his horse and placed one foot Before mounting, however, he looked back at me.

“Don’t worry too much.”

I tried to smile. “I’ll try.”

He climbed onto the saddle with practiced ease. The guards mounted their horses immediately afterward, forming a small group around him.

For a moment, nobody moved.

Kael looked down at me. “Take care of yourself, Luna.”

The title sounded different coming from him that morning. It reminded me that I wasn’t merely the woman he was leaving behind. I was the Luna of Ironcrest, and the pack would look to me while its Alpha was away.

But I didn’t feel particularly strong.

I felt like a frightened woman watching her husband ride toward danger.

“Come back to me,” I whispered.

His eyes remained fixed on mine. “I will.”

Then he turned his horse. The guards followed as he began riding toward the gates.

I stood at the entrance, watching them move across the courtyard. Several warriors stepped aside to make way for their Alpha, bowing their heads as he passed.

The massive gates began to open.

My hands curled into fists.

Kael didn’t look back again, but I kept watching until he and his guards passed through the entrance.

The gates slowly closed behind them and just like that, he was gone.

I remained standing where I was, staring at the empty path beyond the gates.

The morning sun had begun to rise, but its warmth did nothing to ease the coldness spreading through my chest.

I had watched my father leave on important journeys before. I had watched warriors march out to defend our territory.

But this was different. This time, the man riding away was my husband.

And for the first time since I had returned to Ironcrest, I found myself praying that the Moon Goddess would bring him home safely.

Because I wasn’t sure what I would do if she didn’t.

.