Breathless and bloodied, Aria and Kael pushed through the whirlwind of combat, hoping to reach the clearing before it was too late. As they drew nearer, the sounds of battle began to fade, replaced by an eerie silence punctuated only by the whisper of the wind through the trees.
They arrived at the clearing, the moonlight illuminating the ground stained with remnants of the fight. Shadows flickered behind them as members of both packs followed closely. Aria's heart raced in anticipation would Lucas listen? Or would he brand her a traitor?
"Stop!" Aria shouted, raising her hands as both packs halted just outside the clearing. The moon hung high above, casting its silvery glow upon the assembled wolves, creating a sense of unity amid strife. "This isn't what we want. Kael and I…we are mates."
A murmur rippled through the crowd, disbelief written on many faces. Lucas stepped forward, his eyes blazing with confusion. "How can you do this, Aria? They're our enemies!"
"They may be our enemies, but love is stronger than the ties of blood!" Kael declared, stepping closer to Aria and slipping his hand around hers. "Together, we can change the way our packs view each other." His voice resonated with deep conviction, drawing the attention of both sides.
Aria squeezed his hand, feeling strength surge through her. "We can break this cycle. We can unite instead of fight!"