Aria's POV
Salvation or destruction? I repeated. My voice shook. What does that mean?
Kael's hand still gripped my wrist, his thumb pressed against the bracelet. His eyes searched mine with an intensity that made me feel naked, exposed.
My pack is dying, he said quietly. Have been for ten years. A blood curse.
A curse?
A witch I He stopped, jaw clenching. A witch my father wronged before he died. She cursed Shadowfang with her last breath. Pack members die young. Pups don't survive birth. We're going extinct.
The pain in his voice hit me like a physical blow. This wasn't the cold monster everyone talked about. This was a man watching his people die and being powerless to stop it.
I've tried everything, Kael continued. Every healer, every witch, every ancient ritual. Nothing works. The curse is too strong.
Then how am I
Three years ago, a dying seer told me the only cure. A Luna with ancient power. A descendant of the First Luna bloodline. His eyes blazed. Everyone said it was impossible. That bloodline was destroyed centuries ago. But I never stopped searching.
My heart pounded. You've been looking for me?
I've been looking for anyone with First Luna blood. When Marcus contacted me, offered a peace treaty and a bride, I thought he was wasting my time. Kael's grip tightened slightly. Then I walked into that hall and smelled you.
What did you smell?
Power. Ancient, buried, but unmistakable. The scent every Alpha is trained to recognize and fear. He leaned closer. You're what I've been searching for. What my pack needs to survive.
I should have been angry. He'd married me not for me, but for what I could do for him. A transaction. A tool.
But the mate bond hummed between us, and I could feel his desperation. His fear. His hope.
I don't know how to help you, I whispered. I don't even know what I am.
Then we'll figure it out together. Kael's voice softened slightly. I have someone River. He's a healer and seer. He can help unlock your power.
Unlock it? Fear spiked through me. What if I can't? What if Marcus lied and I'm just human?
Kael's laugh was short and bitter. You're not human, Aria. The bracelet proves it. Your scent proves it. And this He pressed his thumb harder against my wrist. This proves it.
What?
The mate bond. Humans don't have mate bonds with werewolves. It's impossible. His eyes locked with mine. But I feel it. And you feel it too. Don't you?
I wanted to lie. But I couldn't.
Yes, I breathed. I feel it.
Something flashed in his eyes. Relief? Satisfaction? I couldn't tell.
Good. He released my wrist and sat back, putting distance between us. The loss of contact made me ache, which was insane. I'd known him for an hour.
What happens now? I asked.
Now we go home. To Shadowfang. River will examine you, help you understand what you are. And then He paused. Then we save my pack.
And if we can't?
Kael's expression went hard. Then we all die. Me. You. Everyone.
The finality in his voice chilled me.
The curse kills mates too? I whispered.
The curse kills everyone connected to Shadowfang bloodline. If you're my mate and you arethen you're connected now. His eyes met mine. I'm sorry. I didn't know the bond would snap into place like this. I thought I could keep it... professional.
Professional, I repeated numbly. You married me to use me, and now I'm cursed too.
Yes. No apology. Just truth. But I'll protect you. Whatever power you have, I'll help you master it. And once the curse breaks, you'll be free to leave if you want.
Leave?
I won't force you to stay in a marriage you never chose. His jaw clenched. Once my pack is safe, you can go. I'll give you money, protection, anything you need.
The mate bond protested violently at those words. My chest ached.
What if I don't want to leave? The question slipped out before I could stop it.
Kael's eyes snapped to mine. Gold fire blazing. What?
You're giving me a choice, I said slowly. No one's ever done that before. Marcus never gave me choices. Lyanna never did. I've spent twenty-two years being told what to do, where to go, who to be. I met his burning gaze. You're the first person who's offering me freedom. Why would I want to leave that?
Kael stared at me like I'd spoken a foreign language.
You don't know me, he said carefully. You don't know what I've done. What I'm capable of.
You're right. I don't. I touched the bracelet on my wrist. It pulsed warm. But this says we're connected. The bond says we're mates. And something inside me something I don't understand yet says I'm exactly where I'm supposed to be.
The car went silent.
Kael's hands clenched into fists on his thighs. His breathing was controlled but heavy.
You're not afraid of me, he finally said. Not a question. An observation.
I'm terrified, I admitted. Of you, of this power, of everything. But I've been afraid my whole life. At least now I'm afraid of something that might actually matter.
A ghost of a smile touched his lips. The first real expression I'd seen from him.
You're not what I expected, he said quietly.
Neither are you.
The moment stretched between us, charged and dangerous.
Then the car slowed. Dante's voice came from the front. Alpha. We're crossing into Shadowfang territory.
Kael's expression shifted instantly. Back to the cold Alpha. Good. Speed up. I want to be home in ten minutes.
Yes, Alpha.
I looked out the window. We'd entered dense forest. Ancient trees blocked out most of the sunlight. It felt wild. Primal. Powerful.
The bracelet suddenly burned hot against my wrist. So hot I gasped.
What's wrong? Kael demanded immediately.
The bracelet it's
Power exploded through me. Not painful like before. This was different. This was welcoming. Like the land itself was greeting me.
My eyes flashed silver. I saw it reflected in the car window.
And then I heard them. Voices. Hundreds of voices, whispering in my mind.
Luna. Our Luna. She's come home. The First Luna returns.
Aria! Kael grabbed my shoulders. What's happening?
The land, I gasped. It's talking to me. The wolves I can hear them
That's impossible. Only an Alpha can hear the pack bond
I hear them! My voice came out stronger, echoing with power. They're calling me Luna. They're saying I've come home.
Kael's eyes went wide. The pack bond. You're connecting to the pack bond. But that should take weeks of bonding rituals
The car crested a hill, and suddenly I could see it. Shadowfang Pack's territory spread out below us. The massive stone packhouse. The village. The training grounds.
And I could feel them. Every single wolf. Their emotions, their pain, their hope.
They were dying. I could feel the curse like poison in their veins.
Stop the car, I said.
What?
Stop the car! Power rang in my voice. An Alpha command that made even Kael flinch.
Dante slammed on the brakes.
I threw open the door and stumbled out. My legs barely held me. The power coursing through me was overwhelming.
Kael was beside me instantly. Aria, what are you doing?
I looked at the packhouse in the distance. At the wolves I could sense inside. Sick. Dying. Desperate.
I can feel them, I whispered. The curse. It's killing them slowly. Eating them from the inside.
I know. That's why I need you
No. I turned to face him. My eyes blazed silver. I could see my reflection in his shocked golden gaze. You don't understand. I don't just feel the curse.
Then what?
I raised my hand. Silver light gathered around my fingers like liquid moonlight.
I think I can break it.