Third Person's POV
PACK HOUSE HALL
The pack house was quieter than usual that afternoon. Most of the warriors had gone outside for patrol or training, leaving only a few workers moving through the large building.
Celene walked slowly down the long hallway.
Her black boots made soft sounds against the polished wooden floor. Sunlight streamed through the tall windows, lighting the carved wooden pillars and the old pack symbols engraved on them.
Her sharp green eyes studied everything.
Inside her mind, her wolf stirred.
Lilia.
So this is the place he rules now.
Celene's lips curved slightly.
"Yes."
Kael's warning earlier still echoed in her mind.
Stay away from Ariella.
Celene almost laughed.
No one gave Celene Virel orders.
A young maid walked past carrying folded cloths in a basket.
Celene stopped her.
"You."
The girl froze instantly.
She looked young and nervous, her brown hair tied into a loose bun. She wore a simple beige dress with a white apron tied around her waist.
"Yes ma'am?"
Celene stepped closer.
"Take me to Ariella."
The maid's eyes widened.
"I… I cannot."
Celene raised an eyebrow.
"Why not?"
The girl swallowed.
"Alpha Kael said no one should disturb her."
Celene leaned slightly closer.
Her voice became colder.
"If you don't show me where she is, I promise you will regret it."
The maid's hands trembled.
Fear was clear in her eyes.
"Yes… I will take you."
Celene smiled calmly.
"Good."
Ariella's POV
GARDEN BEHIND PACK HOUSE
The garden behind the pack house was quiet and peaceful.
Soft sunlight warmed the grass and small white flowers grew along the stone path. Tall bushes surrounded the area and the wind moved gently through the leaves.
I sat on a wooden bench sorting herbs into a basket.
Sky stirred lazily in my mind.
At least it's quiet here.
I nodded slightly.
"Yes."
For once everything felt calm.
Then footsteps approached.
I looked up.
The maid from the house stood nearby looking nervous.
Behind her stood a woman I had never seen before.
She was tall and beautiful in a sharp way. Her long silver blonde hair fell smoothly down her back and her green eyes were fixed on me.
She wore a fitted black coat, dark leather pants and tall black boots.
Sky growled softly.
I don't like her.
The maid quickly hurried away.
The woman walked toward me slowly.
"So you are Ariella."
I stood up.
"Yes."
Her green eyes studied me carefully.
Then she crossed her arms.
"Do you understand who I am?"
I frowned slightly.
"Who are you?"
Her expression changed instantly.
Her eyes hardened.
Sky noticed it too.
Oh she didn't like that.
The woman laughed shortly.
"You really don't know?"
I shook my head.
"No."
She lifted her chin proudly.
"Celene Virel."
She said the name like it should matter.
"I come from the Dark Moon Pack."
Sky stirred.
That explains the attitude.
Celene looked me up and down.
"So this is the omega Kael accepted as his mate."
My chest tightened but I stayed calm.
"Yes."
She smirked.
"I expected someone more impressive."
Sky growled again.
Celene stepped closer.
"You're weak."
Her voice carried quiet confidence.
"You are an omega."
She continued speaking like it was obvious.
"Kael is one of the strongest Alphas among the packs."
Her green eyes narrowed.
"And you think someone like you belongs beside him?"
My chest hurt hearing it.
"I didn't choose this bond."
Celene laughed softly.
"That makes it worse."
Her voice lowered.
"Sooner or later Kael will realize the truth."
I forced myself to ask.
"What truth?"
Her smile widened.
"That he deserves someone stronger."
A voice suddenly interrupted.
"That's enough."
Lysa.
She walked toward us quickly.
Her black hair moved slightly behind her and anger was clear in her eyes.
She stood beside me.
"You need to leave."
Celene turned slowly.
"Oh. The loyal friend."
Lysa crossed her arms.
"You don't get to come here and insult her."
Celene smirked.
"And what will you do about it?"
"I'll tell Kael everything."
Celene didn't look worried.
"You think that scares me?"
Lysa didn't move.
"You're not welcome here."
Celene looked between us.
Then she smiled calmly.
"Well."
Her eyes moved back to me.
"Remember what I said."
Then she turned and walked away.
Her boots disappeared down the stone path.
Sky spoke quietly.
Something about her feels wrong.
I exhaled slowly.
"I know."
Third Person's POV
DARK MOON PACK
Far away across mountains and forests stood another territory.
The Dark Moon Pack.
Their pack house was built from dark stone and surrounded by tall torches burning along the entrance. Warriors stood guard near the gates.
Inside the main hall sat Alpha Eric.
Eric looked strikingly similar to Kael.
Both had strong builds and sharp features.
But Eric's eyes were darker and colder. His black hair fell messily around his face and his expression carried cruelty instead of control.
He leaned lazily against his large chair.
Inside his mind his wolf spoke.
Liam.
Something is happening in Nightbane territory.
Eric smiled slowly.
"Yes."
At that moment a guard rushed inside the hall.
He bowed quickly.
"Alpha."
Eric looked annoyed.
"What is it?"
The guard swallowed.
"We received news from Nightbane territory."
Eric straightened slightly.
"Speak."
"Alpha Kael has accepted a mate."
Silence filled the hall.
Inside Eric's mind Liam growled.
A mate.
Eric slowly stood up.
His lips formed a cold smile.
"So Kael finally found something to lose."
He walked toward the large window overlooking the dark forest.
Then he turned back toward the room.
"Prepare the warriors."
The guard looked confused.
"Alpha?"
Eric's eyes burned with hatred.
"We are going to visit Nightbane territory."
Liam's voice echoed inside his mind.
The time has come.
Eric looked toward the distant mountains.
His smile grew darker.
"Get ready Kael you'll lose everything just as you made me loose mine."