Chapter Twenty-three - The Scent of My Heat

Aria’s POV

I woke up to sunlight spilling across the bed. For several seconds, I didn’t move.

I simply stared at the ceiling, trying to remember where I was. Then I felt the warmth beside me.

Kael’s side of the bed was empty.

My eyes shifted toward his side of the bed.

I frowned and slowly sat up.

The first thing I noticed was the pillow. It was no longer between us.

I remembered removing it in the middle of the night.

A strange feeling settled in my chest.

I wasn’t sure why I had done it, maybe I had simply been tired of seeing that barrier between us,maybe I had felt guilty, or maybe, somewhere deep inside, I had wanted to prove to myself that I could be close to him without being afraid.

Whatever the reason, I wasn’t going to overthink it.

I climbed out of bed and headed for the bathroom. After showering and dressing, I made my way downstairs.

The packhouse was already alive.

Servants moved through the corridors, warriors hurried toward the training grounds, omegas carried baskets of food, and people bowed whenever they saw me.

“Luna. Good morning, Luna.” One greeted

“Good morning.” I smiled at them as I walked toward the dining hall.

When I entered, Kael was already seated at the table.

He looked up. His eyes moved over me briefly before returning to his plate.

“Good morning.” I greeted.

“Good morning.” He replied.

I sat opposite him. A servant immediately served me breakfast.

For a few minutes, we ate quietly. It wasn’t uncomfortable, but It was simply different.

After last night’s conversation, I wasn’t sure what to expect.

Kael hadn’t mentioned it, and neither had I.

I appreciated that.

I reached for a piece of bread. Kael suddenly looked at the clock on the wall.

“We have a visitor coming.” He announced.

I looked up. “Who?”

“Alpha Ronan of Silverpine.” He said without looking up.

I had heard the name before. Silverpine was one of the larger packs to the east.

“What does he want?” My brows furrowed.

“Trade.” Kael took a sip of his drink. “They have access to iron ore and mountain herbs that Ironcrest needs. We have weapons, grain, and timber they’re interested in.”

I nodded. “That sounds important.”

“It is.” He looked directly at me. “He’s arriving in less than twenty minutes.”

I nearly choked on my bread. “Twenty minutes?”

“Yes.” Kael avoided my eyes.

“And you’re telling me now?” I shrieked.

“You were asleep.” Kael chuckled.

I glared at him. “You could have woken me.”

“I considered it.” He shrugged.

“Then why didn’t you?” I glared at him.

“You looked peaceful.” He laughed.

I stopped. Something about the simple statement caught me off guard.

Kael seemed to realize what he’d said and immediately looked back at his plate.

“Regardless,” he continued, “you need to attend the meeting.”

I nodded. “Of course.”

“As a Luna.” He stressed the word.

“I understand.” I nodded.

“I want you beside me.” He peered into his wine glass.

My fingers paused around my cup. “All right.”

His eyes met mine. “All right?”

“Yes.” I smiled faintly. “I’m Luna now, aren’t I?”

Something softened in his expression.“Yes.”

“Then I’ll do my duty.” I grinned.

He nodded. “Good.”

The rest of breakfast passed quickly.

I barely had time to finish before Martha arrived.

“Your dress is ready.” She announced.

I looked at Kael. He was already standing.

“I’ll see you in the council room.” He patted my shoulder.

I nodded. “All right.”

Martha took my arm. “Come on, let’s go get you dressed up”

**************

Twenty minutes later, I entered the council room beside Kael.

Alpha Ronan and his delegation had already arrived. There were six of them.

Ronan himself was a tall, broad-shouldered man with dark blond hair and an easy smile.

He bowed. “Alpha Kael.”

Kael returned the gesture. “Alpha Ronan! Welcome to Ironcrest.”

Ronan’s eyes moved toward me. “And you must be the new Luna.”

I smiled. “Aria Nightshade.”

His brows rose slightly. “Nightshade?”

“Yes.” I nodded.

“Then congratulations are certainly in order.” He nodded satisfactorily.

“Thank you.” I smiled.

We took our seats and the meeting began.

For the first hour, everything went smoothly.

Ronan presented his offer, and Kael countered.

They discussed quantities, prices, transportation routes, security, and border crossings.

I listened carefully.

Occasionally, Kael asked for my opinion and I answered when I could.

At one point, Ronan mentioned the possibility of expanding the trade agreement.

I leaned forward. “If Silverpine can guarantee regular shipments, Ironcrest could provide protection for your goods when they cross the northern pass.”

Ronan looked impressed. “That’s a generous offer.”

“It’s mutually beneficial.” I shrugged.

Kael glanced at me. A small smile touched his lips.

“I agree with the Luna.” He announced

I smiled back. For the first time since becoming Luna, I felt like I truly belonged in that room.

Then something changed. At first, I thought it was the heat in the room.

My skin suddenly felt warm, very warm.

I shifted in my chair.

Martha, who stood near the wall, noticed.

“Are you all right?” She asked.

I nodded. “Yes, I’m fine.”

But I wasn’t. A strange sensation had begun spreading through my body.

My heart was beating faster, and my breathing felt heavier.

I swallowed. Maybe I was nervous or maybe I hadn’t eaten enough.

I reached for my glass as my hand trembled.

Kael noticed immediately.

His eyes sharpened. “Aria?”

“I’m fine.” I forced a smile, then I smelled something sweet, warm, and deliciously unfamiliar.

My wolf stirred inside me as my entire body suddenly went still.

I frowned. “What?”

The word came from somewhere inside me.

“We want our Mate.” My wolf sounded almost frantic.

I had never felt anything like this. Another wave of heat rolled through me.

I pressed a hand against my forehead. “Is it hot in here?”

Ronan looked toward one of the windows. “No.”

I felt my cheeks burn. Something was wrong, very wrong.

Then Kael stood. His chair scraped sharply against the floor.

His expression had completely changed. His eyes were darker, and his nostrils flared.

I looked at him.

“Kael? I what’s going on?”

He didn’t answer. His gaze was fixed on me.

For one terrifying second, I thought he was angry. Then I saw the way his chest rose.

He was breathing deeply like he was trying to control himself.

His wolf had caught something. It was my scent.

I didn’t understand but the other males in the room were beginning to react too.

One of Ronan’s warriors shifted uncomfortably.

Another swallowed hard, and someone opened a window.

“What is happening?” I whispered.

Kael moved Immediately.

He crossed the room and reached me.

“Come with me.”

I stood. “Why?”

“Now.” He gritted his teeth.

There was something in his voice that made me obey.

He placed a hand lightly against my back and guided me toward the door.

Behind us, several wolves began growling uneasily.

Kael turned. “Everyone stays here.”

His Alpha command filled the room and no one argued.

He got me into the hallway and shut the door.

I leaned against the wall. “I’m sorry.”

Kael looked at me. “For what?”

“I don’t know what’s happening.” I shivered innocently .

He studied me. “You don’t know?”

I shook my head. “I’ve never felt this before.”

His expression changed. “You’ve never gone into heat?”

I stared at him. “Heat?”

He nodded. I felt my face become even warmer.

“But that’s impossible.” I gasped.

“Why?” He frowned.

“Because…” I swallowed. “Only mated wolves go into heat.”

Kael looked at me awkwardly. “We were mated yesterday.”

I stared at him as the realization hit me slowly.

I almost forgot the mark, the wedding, and the bond, and my wolf’s strange behavior.

“Oh.” I gasped.

Kael’s jaw tightened. He looked down the hallway.

Several warriors were approaching.

The moment they got closer, they slowed and their expressions changed.

Kael immediately stepped between them and me.

“Back.” He ordered.

The command was low but the warriors stopped.

One lowered his head. “Alpha.”

“Leave.” Kael growled and they obeyed.

Kael looked back at me. “We need to get you somewhere private.”

I nodded. “I feel strange.”

“I know.” He sounded strained. “Does it hurt?”

I looked at him. “No.”

“Then what?” He frowned.

“I don’t know.”

He exhaled slowly. “You’re experiencing your first heat.”

I pressed my lips together. “I don’t understand why.”

“Neither did you before.” He smirked.

I looked at him.

His expression softened slightly. “You’ve never been mated before.”

“Right.” I looked away shyly.

“And now you are.” He peered at me

I touched the mark on my neck unconsciously. My face warmed again.

Kael noticed but his gaze flickered away.

“You’re going to need somewhere safe.”

“I can stay in the room.” I suggested

“No.” He shook his head

“Why?” I raised a brow

“Because people can smell you from the hallway.” He explained.

I froze. “What?”

“Your scent is strong.” He admitted.

I looked toward the corridor. Several warriors were trying very hard not to look in our direction.

My embarrassment deepened.

Kael immediately turned toward Martha.

She had followed us from the council room.

“Martha.”

“Yes, Alpha?” She bowed

“Pack our things.” He ordered.

She blinked. “Our things?”

“Mine and Aria’s.” He said.

“For where?” Martha looked genuinely confused.

“My cabin.” He replied.

Martha understood immediately. “Of course.”

Kael turned to one of the guards. “Prepare the royal vehicle.”

“Yes, Alpha.” The guard bowed.

I looked at him. “Your cabin? Where is it.”

“Yes. Outside the main territory. Near the western edge of Ironcrest.”

“Why?” I looked confused.

“I use it when I need to get away from pack duties.” He explained.

“You have a private cabin?” I was finding it hard to believe.

He nodded. “Yes.”

I almost smiled. “Of course you do.”

He raised an eyebrow. “What does that mean?”

“It means you always seemed like the kind of person who would have somewhere to disappear to.”

A faint smile appeared on his face.“I suppose I am.”

Martha returned shortly afterward.“The bags will be ready in a few minutes.”

Kael nodded. “Good.”

I looked at him. “Are we really leaving?”

“Yes.” He nodded.

“But the trade meeting…” I insisted.

“Is over.” Kael completed the sentence.

I frowned. “We haven’t signed the agreement.”

“We can finish it another day.” Kael avoided my eyes.

“Kael.” I looked at him.” “This is important.”

“So are you.” He replied and I went quiet.

He seemed to realize what he’d said.

Neither of us mentioned it. Instead, he continued.

“The trade deal can wait. Your safety can’t.”

I looked down. “All right.”

**********

The royal vehicle was waiting outside.

Two guards stood beside it.

Martha handed Kael the final bags and I climbed into the back seat.

Kael followed and he sat opposite me.

For a few moments, neither of us spoke.

The vehicle began moving. As Ironcrest disappeared behind us, I looked out the window.

The packhouse became smaller, then the training grounds and the the stone walls.

Soon, only mountains and trees remained.

I rested my head against the window as my body still felt strange, warm, restless, and unfamiliar.

I looked at Kael. “How long will this last?”

“Everyone is different.” He said.

“That’s not very reassuring.” I frowned.

He almost smiled. “It should pass.”

“And until then?” I asked.

“We stay at the cabin.” He looked away.

“Just us?” I frowned.

He nodded. “And the guards? They’ll remain outside.”

I looked at him carefully. “You’re really not going to…”

I couldn’t finish. His expression became serious. “Aria.”

I lowered my eyes.

“I know what you’re asking.” He leaned back. “I gave you my word.”

My eyes lifted. “You said you wouldn’t force me.”

“I won’t.” He kept a straight face.

“Even now?” I looked surprised.

“Especially now.” He reassured me.

Something inside me loosened. I hadn’t realized how afraid I’d been of that.

Kael looked out the window. “You don’t need to worry about me.”

I watched him. “You make that difficult sometimes.”

He gave a quiet laugh. “I know.”

The vehicle continued along the winding road.

The farther we traveled, the quieter everything became.

Eventually, Kael pointed toward the trees.

“There.”

I followed his gaze. At first, I saw nothing, then the cabin appeared.

It was tucked between tall trees overlooking a small valley.

It was beautiful but not enormous like the packhouse and not decorated like a royal residence.

Just a large wooden cabin surrounded by nature.

A stone path led to the front door and smoke rose gently from the chimney.

I stared. “You come here often?”

“Just whenever I need silence.” He replied.

I smiled faintly. “I can see why.”

The vehicle stopped and Kael stepped out first, then he came around to my side.

He opened the door.

I hesitated as another wave of heat moved through me.

Kael noticed. “Aria?”

“I’m fine.” I closed my eyes.

He didn’t believe me, but he didn’t argue. Instead, he held out his hand.

I looked at it, then at him. I placed my hand in his and he helped me down.

For a moment, we stood beside each other.

The forest was quiet and the mountains stretched into the distance.

There were no elders, no servants, no council, and no pack watching us.

Just Kael and me, and a strange new reality neither of us had expected.

He released my hand. “Come inside.”

I followed. As we stepped into the cabin, I looked around. It was warm and comfortable.

A fireplace stood against one wall.

There was a small kitchen, a sitting room, and beyond it, a hallway leading to the bedrooms.

I suddenly became very aware that we were alone.

Kael seemed to notice my expression.

“You’ll have your own room.”

I looked at him. “You have more than one bedroom?”

“Yes.” He replied and I relaxed.

He noticed. “I told you I wouldn’t cross your boundaries.”

I nodded. “Thank you.”

He walked toward the fireplace. “I’ll make sure you’re comfortable.”

I watched him. For some reason, seeing him move around the cabin so naturally made my chest ache.

This was a side of Kael I had never known.

Not Alpha, not ruler, just Kael. The man who came here when the weight of the world became too much.

And now he had brought me here not because he wanted anything from me, but because he wanted to keep me safe.

I touched the mark on my neck again.

I swallowed. For the first time, I didn’t immediately tell her to be quiet.

Instead, I looked at Kael.

He was standing by the fire, staring into the flames.

He looked tired and eo did I.

But there was something peaceful about being here. Something unfamiliar, and something I couldn’t name.

I looked outside at the fading sunlight.

Tomorrow, we may still have to face Ironcrest, the elders, the pack, the trade agreement, the expectations, and everything.

But tonight, we were far away from all of it and as another strange warmth moved through my body, I realized that my first heat had arrived at the worst possible time.

Or perhaps…the most revealing one because for the first time since I married Kael, there was nowhere for either of us to hide behind titles.

No Alpha, no Luna, no elders, and no ceremony.

Just two people trapped together in a quiet cabin at the edge of the pack and a bond neither of us fully understood yet.