The den no longer felt like home.
Smoke lingered in the air. Wolves walked in silence, their eyes hollow, their steps heavy. Too many had died. Too many had been taken. And always, the whispers followed Aradia like chains.
"She burns us as much as she saves us."
"She is the shadow's flame."
"If the Alpha weren't blinded by her…"
Every word struck her deeper than any claw.
Kael heard them too. His green eyes burned with fury whenever the whispers reached him, his wolf rumbling just beneath his skin. But he could not silence them all.
That night, as the fire burned low, Aradia stood alone at the riverbank, staring into the dark water. Her reflection flickered with flame, her face pale, her eyes haunted.
Kael came to her, his massive frame wrapping her in warmth from behind. His lips pressed to her hair, his voice low.
"They don't matter."
Her voice cracked. "But they do. I can feel their doubt. Their fear. They don't see me as Queen, Kael. They see me as curse."
His arms tightened, his lips brushing her neck. "Let them see what they want. I see you. Always."
Her tears spilled, her body leaning into his strength. But deep inside, she feared he could not shield her from the truth forever.