Chapter Twelve - What Happened While I Was Gone

Aria’s POV

By the time Mario and I reached the edge of Ironcrest, the sky had already turned dark.

I could see the familiar lights of the pack in the distance, glowing between the trees.

My heart pounded. I had imagined this moment so many times.

Sometimes I imagined returning proudly, with my head held high and other times, I imagined crawling back with nothing but regret.

But I had never imagined returning like this.

Hidden beneath a black veil, carrying a small bag, and knowing that my father was no longer there to welcome me.

Mario glanced at me. “You shouldn’t go to the packhouse tonight.”

I frowned. “Why?”

“It is late, and you have traveled all day. You need food and rest.” He explained.

I wanted to argue, but my body betrayed me with a loud growl.

Mario chuckled. “I’ll take you to my house. You can sleep there tonight.”

I hesitated. “You’re sure?”

“Of course.” His smile was warm. “My wife isn’t here, and my children are grown and live in another territory. You’ll have the house to yourself.”

I followed him. His home was small compared to the grand packhouse I had grown up in, but it was warm and comfortable.

Mario immediately went into the kitchen.

“Sit down. I’ll prepare something.”

“You don’t have to…” I argued.

“I insist.” He pulled me back into my chair.

I sat at the small wooden table while he prepared food. Within minutes, the smell of roasted meat filled the room.

He placed a generous portion in front of me along with some vegetables and bread.

“Eat.” He said softly.

I didn’t need to be told twice. I hadn’t realized how hungry I was until the first bite touched my tongue.

Mario watched me with amusement.“You must have been starving.”

“I was.” I nodded.

He laughed softly. “Then eat. There is plenty.”

As I ate, I noticed how peaceful everything felt.

No Damon, no lies, and no pretending.

Just the quiet sound of someone moving around a kitchen and the warmth of a simple home.

For the first time in months, I felt safe.

After I finished eating, Mario poured me some water and sat across from me.

I stared at him. “You said you would tell me what happened while I was away.”

His expression became serious.

“I will.” He leaned back. “After you left, Alpha Lucien changed.”

My stomach tightened. “How?”

“He became quieter. He stopped eating properly. He barely slept.”

I lowered my eyes. I already knew where this was going.

“He missed you terribly.” Mario sighed deeply,

My fingers tightened around the cup as Mario continued.

“He kept believing you would return. Even when everyone else began losing hope, he insisted that you would come home one day.”

A painful lump formed in my throat.“He waited for me?”

“Yes.” Mario replied.

I swallowed hard. “What happened to him?”

Mario sighed. “His health deteriorated quickly.”

I looked down, consumed by guilt.

“He eventually became seriously ill. The healers tried everything, but his heart was already weak.”

I closed my eyes. My father had been dying while I was somewhere else believing I was finally living the life I wanted.

“And Kael?” I asked quietly.

Mario smiled. “Alpha Kael was there through everything.”

I looked up. “Kael? Alpha?”

“Yes.” Mario nodded. He spoke about him with obvious admiration.

“When Alpha Lucien became too weak to manage the pack, Kael took responsibility for almost everything. He handled disputes, training, security, supplies… everything.”

I listened silently.

“He barely rested,” Mario continued. “He was always beside your father. Even when the healers told him there was nothing more they could do, he stayed.”

My chest tightened.

“After Alpha Lucien died, Kael made sure the burial was carried out properly. Then the elders crowned him Alpha.” Marilyn smiled.

I stared at my hands. So Kael had become Alpha?

The position my father had wanted him to have, the position I had run away from?

“He sounds like a good Alpha,” I said carefully.

Mario nodded enthusiastically.

“He is.” He leaned forward. “You should see how much the pack respects him now. He is strict, but fair. He doesn’t abuse his position. He works harder than most of the warriors.”

Something bitter settled inside me.

Of course he did. Kael had always been exactly what my father wanted.

Responsible, disciplined, loyal, and perfect.

Mario continued speaking. “And do you know something else?”

“What?” I whispered.

“He still doesn’t have a mate.” Mario smirked.

My head lifted immediately. “He doesn’t?”

“No.” He replied.

I tried to keep my expression neutral.

“Why?” I asked.

Mario shrugged. “I don’t know. Perhaps he hasn’t found her yet.”

I looked away. Of course he hadn’t found his mate.

A strange irritation began spreading through me.

Kael was still mateless after all this time? After I had left? After my father had died? After he had become Alpha?

He still hadn’t chosen anyone?

I pressed my lips together. Perhaps he was waiting for me, waiting for the woman my father had chosen for him or perhaps he was waiting for the throne to become completely secure before claiming me.

I felt anger rise inside me.

I had spent months believing that Kael wanted to control my life because he cared about the pack but maybe that wasn’t the whole truth.

Maybe he had always wanted me because marrying me would strengthen his claim to the throne and now that I had returned, he would probably expect me to simply fall into place.

I wouldn’t and I wouldn’t give him that satisfaction.

I looked back at Mario and smiled faintly. “Thank you for telling me everything.”

He smiled. “You should be happy to be home.”

Home? The word still felt strange but perhaps tomorrow, I would find out whether Ironcrest still considered me its princess.

I rose from the table. “I think I should sleep.”

“You should.” He nodded.

Mario showed me to the spare room. Before leaving, he turned toward me.

“Tomorrow, I can take you to the packhouse.”

I shook my head. “No.”

He looked surprised. “No?”

“I want to go myself.” I forced a smile.

“But…” he insisted.

“I want to surprise them.” A small smile touched my lips.

Especially Kael. I wanted to see his face when he realized I had returned.

I wanted to know whether he would be happy, or angry, or perhaps both.

Mario eventually nodded. “Very well.”

He left the room and I closed the door behind him and removed my veil, then I sat on the edge of the bed.

Tomorrow, I would walk into the packhouse not as the foolish girl who had run away, not as Damon’s abandoned lover, but as Aria Nightshade, the daughter of Alpha Lucien.

The woman who had finally come home, and I intended to make sure Kael never forgot the look on his face when he saw me again.