chapter nine: a secret meeting

Aria sat by her window, staring at the dark sky. The moon shone brightly, casting silver light over the castle walls. But tonight, the moon didn’t bring her comfort. It only reminded her of the mother she never knew, the mother who had loved the night sky, just as she did.

Her father’s story still echoed in her mind. The way he had spoken about her mother—with love, with pain, with longing. Aria had always known there was something missing inside her, but now she understood why. She had spent her whole life feeling like she didn’t belong, like she was caught between two worlds. And now that she knew the truth, she felt even more lost.

Tears stung her eyes, but she refused to let them fall. She had spent years teaching herself not to cry, not to show weakness. But this wasn’t weakness, was it? This was grief. This was longing. This was the ache of a girl who had spent her entire life wondering who she truly was.

She couldn’t keep these feelings bottled up anymore. She needed to talk to someone. Someone who would understand. Someone she trusted.

Luca.

He was the heir to the Umbra Pack, a powerful group that ruled the northern lands. But to Aria, he was more than that. He was her friend. He was the one person who made her feel seen, the one person who didn’t judge her for being different. If anyone could understand what she was feeling, it was him.

Aria grabbed a piece of parchment and a quill. Her hands shook slightly as she wrote:

Luca,

I need to see you. Meet me at the riverbank tonight. Come alone.

- Aria

She folded the note carefully and tied it to the leg of her small white falcon, Nira. She stroked the bird’s soft feathers, whispering, “Take this to Luca. Quickly.”

Nira let out a soft cry before spreading her wings and disappearing into the night.

---

In the Umbra Kingdom

Luca sat in his room, sharpening a dagger, when a soft tapping sound came from his window. He looked up and saw a small white falcon perched on the ledge. His heart skipped a beat.

“Aria?” he murmured, quickly untying the note from Nira’s leg.

He unfolded the parchment and read her words. A slow smile spread across his face, but it quickly faded into concern. Why was she asking to meet in secret? What had happened?

Without hesitation, he stood and pulled on a dark cloak. He knew the way to the riverbank well—it was where they had met many times before, away from watchful eyes. He didn’t waste another moment. Moving like a shadow through the night, he slipped out of the castle.

---

At the Riverbank

Aria paced along the water’s edge, her arms wrapped around herself. The cool night breeze carried the scent of damp earth and wildflowers, but she barely noticed. Her mind was too full, her heart too restless.

She had imagined this moment a hundred times since sending the note. Would Luca understand? Or would he tell her she was being reckless? The thought made her stomach tighten. She didn’t want to be told to forget about the past. She couldn’t.

Just as doubt crept into her mind, she heard soft footsteps behind her. She spun around.

Luca stood there, his silver eyes glowing in the moonlight. His dark hair was slightly messy from the wind, and his wolf-like instincts made him move soundlessly.

“You came,” Aria whispered, relief washing over her.

“Of course I did,” Luca said, stepping closer. “What’s wrong?”

Aria took a deep breath, her emotions swirling inside her like a storm. “I found out the truth about my mother.”

Luca’s expression softened. “Do you want to talk about it?”

She nodded and sat on a large rock by the river. Luca sat beside her, waiting patiently.

“My father told me everything,” she began, her voice barely above a whisper. “How he met my mother, how much they loved each other… and how she died.”

Luca remained quiet, letting her speak.

“She gave up everything for me,” Aria continued. “She was supposed to come with us, but she never made it. I never even got to see her, never got to hear her voice.” Her hands clenched into fists. “And now… I feel so empty. Like a part of me is missing.”

Luca reached out and gently took her hand. “She may not be here, but she’s still a part of you, Aria.”

Aria looked at him, tears glistening in her eyes. “I just wish I had something of hers. Something to hold onto.”

Luca hesitated, then reached into his pocket and pulled out a small silver pendant. “Here.”

Aria blinked in surprise. “What is this?”

“I found it in the ruins of an old human village when I was younger,” Luca explained. “I don’t know why, but I kept it. It has a symbol of the moon and stars—just like the stories you told me about your mother loving the night sky.”

Aria took the pendant in her hands, feeling its smooth surface. Her chest tightened. “Thank you, Luca,” she whispered. “This means more to me than you know.”

Luca smiled slightly. “You’re not alone, Aria. You never will be.”

She took a deep breath, then turned to look at him. “I need to do something,” she said slowly. “I want to find out what’s left of my past. I need to see if there’s anything out there that still connects me to my mother.”

Luca’s expression darkened. “Aria, that’s not a good idea.”

“Why not?” she asked, frowning. “It’s my past. I have a right to know.”

“You do,” he admitted, “but leaving the safety of your kingdom right now? Your pack barely trusts you anymore, and the other packs are watching closely. If you go wandering into the human lands or outside your kingdom, it could cause serious problems.”

Aria’s jaw tightened. “I can take care of myself.”

“It’s not just about you,” Luca said firmly. “If the wrong people find out, if they see you, you could be in danger. And what if there’s nothing left out there? What if you only find more pain?”

Aria met his gaze, determination burning in her eyes. “I don’t care about the risks, Luca. I have to do this.”

Luca exhaled sharply, shaking his head. “Aria…”

Silence hung between them, thick with tension. The river continued to flow, its waters reflecting the moonlight, whispering secrets neither of them could hear.

Luca finally spoke, his voice low. “Tell me you’ll think about this first. Please.”

Aria hesitated, then looked away. She didn’t answer.

Luca clenched his fists, sensing the battle in her mind.

The wind picked up, rustling the trees, as if carrying a warning neither of them could understand.

Something was coming.

And neither of them was ready for it.