Aria
The morning sun had barely risen when a sudden commotion shattered the fragile calm of the pack house.
I was practicing controlling my wolf in the training area—breathing, focusing, coaxing her energy to obey me—when the first howl pierced the air.
It wasn't a normal wolf howl. This one was sharp, jagged, and filled with malice. My wolf stiffened inside me, a low growl vibrating through my bones.
I froze.
From the windows, I could see shadows moving between the trees. Not just one, but several, and their shapes… they weren't fully human, not fully wolf.
"Rogue wolves," someone hissed behind me. "They've breached the perimeter."
My heart hammered, chest tightening. My wolf pulsed in response, desperate to leap out and fight, but I forced her to stay contained. My hands shook, but I gritted my teeth. I wasn't helpless. I wasn't going to collapse this time.
Kael's voice cut through my panic, calm yet commanding: "Aria! Stay inside. Watch me. Observe, control, learn!"
I glanced at him, eyes wide. He stood at the center of the training hall, shoulders squared, wolf instincts flaring, silver eyes glinting with cold determination.
The bond pulsed between us. My wolf recognized his presence—recognizing his power—and tension rippled through my entire body.
I didn't want to admit it, but I was afraid. Not just of the rogues… but of my own strength.
The first shadow leaped over the fence, crashing through the edge of the pack house. Metal groaned, wood splintered. My wolf tensed violently inside me.
"Aria! Now!" Kael barked.
I inhaled, forcing the chaos inside me into focus. My wolf obeyed—partly. Her energy surged, coiling around me like liquid steel. I felt her claws brushing against my mind, sharp, ready.
I extended my hands, willing the energy outward. The rogue wolf froze mid-step, its eyes widening in shock as the invisible force threw it backward.
A grin tugged at Kael's lips—brief, almost human.
"Good," he said, voice low. "You're faster than I thought. Faster than most full-blooded Lunas at your age."
I swallowed. Pride mixed with fear. "I—I didn't mean to. I didn't—"
Kael cut me off, stepping forward, body tense. "It doesn't matter if you meant to. You did it. Control isn't about intent. It's about action."
I nodded, gulping. My wolf's growl softened slightly, but she wasn't done. The other rogues circled, snarling, eyes glinting red.
"Kael… what do we do?" I whispered, voice trembling.
He shot me a glance, sharp and commanding. "We fight. And you—stay close. Learn. Survive."
Kael
I could feel the bond thrumming violently, alive and demanding. Aria's wolf pulsed in response, mirroring my own instincts.
The rogues had breached the perimeter, and the pack was already mobilizing. But my eyes never left her. She was still young, still learning, still vulnerable. And yet… she was stronger than she realized.
The first rogue lunged at me, teeth bared, claws extended. My wolf reacted instantly, coiling around me, energy flaring, and with a single motion, I slammed the intruder to the ground.
Aria's presence pulled at me, tugging at instincts I didn't want to feel. Protect her. Teach her. Keep her alive. But the bond… it screamed hunger, desire, and something darker I could barely comprehend.
"Aria!" I barked, voice harsh. "Focus on me, not them! Let the wolf flow through you!"
She obeyed. Slowly. Tentatively. But when the second rogue charged, she unleashed a wave of energy that sent it crashing against the wall.
I felt it in my chest, the bond between us reacting to her surge, almost like a heartbeat syncing with mine. My wolf growled, mirrored her strength. Together, we were more than we should be—two wolves, one bond, lethal and unstoppable.
But danger was coming from every direction. I didn't have the luxury of hesitation.
The rogues weren't just mindless attackers. They were organized, their movements precise, testing our defenses. And I knew immediately—their leader was among them.
The bond flared, pulsing wildly, and I realized with a cold knot in my stomach: the mark on Aria wasn't just a bond. It was a beacon.
And the rogues had come for her.
Aria
I barely had time to think. The third rogue lunged directly at me. My wolf coiled violently inside me, claws ready, fangs bared in instinctive defense.
I reached out—hands trembling—and let the energy flow outward.
The rogue froze mid-air, its body lifted off the ground by some invisible force. The pack shouted, alerted by the sudden surge of power.
I felt a flicker of something new: control. The wolf obeyed my commands—not fully, but enough. Enough to save me.
Kael's gaze met mine. "Good! Keep it steady! Don't let the emotion control you!"
I nodded frantically, heart racing. My chest ached, muscles screaming, but I felt alive. Fear mixed with adrenaline. Power mixed with terror.
And in the corner of my mind, a whisper, soft and low: Fight. Survive. You are stronger than you know.
I didn't know who was speaking—my wolf? The bond? The Goddess? I didn't care. I obeyed.
The rogue crashed to the floor. One down. But more came.
I felt Kael behind me, a constant presence, shielding me with his body, his wolf, his aura. The bond pulsed violently. Hunger. Protection. Desire. Rage.
I swallowed. My fear turned to focus. This was no longer about survival. This was about awakening.
Kael
The rogues pressed harder. Their attacks came from all directions—fangs, claws, and dark magic I could sense but not identify.
My wolf surged, answering the call of the bond, coiling around Aria protectively. I could feel her pulse, her fear, her determination, all entwined with mine.
I didn't want this bond. I didn't choose her. I didn't care about feeling anything… and yet, every instinct in my body screamed otherwise. Protect her. Train her. Keep her alive.
I moved with lethal precision. Every strike, every throw, every movement calculated, deadly. But I kept an eye on Aria, guiding her without letting her see it.
A rogue leader appeared—tall, massive, eyes burning red. His presence made the pack shiver. And I knew immediately he had come for her.
"Aria!" I barked. "Don't let him touch you!"
I lunged forward, energy flaring. My wolf surged, matching the rogue's every move. But the bond… it pulsed violently. Aria's wolf answered instinctively.
Together, we struck. Two wolves. One bond. The rogue staggered back.
But he was far from finished.
Aria
I felt my body moving on its own—my wolf taking control, guiding me, lending me strength. Claws and fangs I didn't possess, power I didn't understand.
The rogue lunged again. I raised my hands instinctively. A shockwave of energy erupted outward, throwing him back violently. My chest heaved. The bond throbbed.
Kael's eyes met mine. Silver, sharp, commanding. You're ready.
I swallowed hard. I have to be.
The rogues paused. Uncertainty flickered in their eyes. They hadn't expected me. They hadn't expected the bond.
Kael's wolf growled low, warning them. The leader stepped forward, eyes narrowing, and I knew this wasn't over.
Cliffhanger
The rogue leader lifted a hand. Dark energy surged around him, curling like smoke. The bond pulsed violently between Kael and me—hungry, warning, demanding.
"Aria," Kael growled, voice low and deadly. "Brace yourself. This is the real fight."
My wolf coiled inside me, a storm ready to break free. I clenched my fists. Heart racing. Fear and power colliding.
And in that moment, I knew: the first battle for my life… had only just begun.