CHAPTER 7 — ARIA: FIRST IMPRESSION
Aria stepped out of the council chamber, her hands still trembling from the confrontation with the Alpha King. The corridors of the fortress stretched before her like a maze, every shadow thick with quiet watchfulness. Every stone seemed to whisper of rules she did not yet understand.
The Alpha's warning echoed in her mind: "It's not safe. Everything."
She had asked him what he meant. He hadn't answered fully. Not yet. Only said things that tightened the knot of fear in her chest.
Her maid fell into step beside her, silent but alert. "The hall… everyone is waiting," she whispered.
Aria nodded, swallowing hard. This was her first public appearance as Luna, and the fortress—and the Alpha himself—was watching her. The thought made her stomach twist.
They entered the Hall of Oathkeepers, and the shift in the air was immediate. Torches flickered along the tall walls, casting dancing shadows across banners stitched with the symbols of wolves and moons. Hundreds of eyes turned toward her as she stepped forward. Nobles, warriors, elders—they all watched her.
Some curious. Some skeptical. Some openly disapproving.
She does not belong here.She is human.She is fragile.
The whispers crawled through the hall like crawling insects, but Aria held her chin high. She had learned to hide fear—but now, she let her shoulders straighten, and her gaze meet as many eyes as she could.
At the far end, Kael, the Alpha, sat on his throne of stone and silver, his presence filling the space even without a word. He was every bit the predator and king she had feared. His cloak swirled around him, and his eyes, cold and calculating, never left her.
He did not rise.He did not greet her.He merely watched.
The High Elder stepped forward, holding an ancient scroll. His voice echoed through the hall.
"Today, we witness the union of the Alpha and the Luna, a bond meant to strengthen our kingdom."
Kael stiffened beside the throne, his dark eyes narrowing slightly. Aria noticed it, but she didn't understand why. She only knew her heart began to pound faster.
"By standing here today," the Elder continued, "the Luna declares her loyalty and service to this land and its people."
Aria's pulse quickened. Loyalty and service—she had never been asked to serve anyone besides her own family, and they had never truly cared. Now, hundreds of eyes watched her as she faced this new, impossible expectation.
The Elder turned to her. "Princess Aria of the Red Kingdom, do you accept this role?"
Her voice caught. She knew the answer expected, but somehow, it felt meaningless next to the Alpha's unreadable stare.
"I… accept," she said softly.
A murmur swept through the crowd. Approval? Curiosity? She could not tell.
"Then step forward and offer your oath," the Elder instructed.
Aria moved to the center of the hall. Her hands rested on the cold stone of the ceremonial altar. She whispered the words—the promise of protection, obedience, and loyalty—hoping her voice sounded steady. Each syllable burned with a quiet defiance she didn't show.
When she finished, the Alpha stepped forward to declare his portion of the oath.
His voice was deep, smooth, and utterly unreadable. "As Alpha, I acknowledge the Luna as part of this alliance. She stands under my protection."
Only protection.Not partnership.Not warmth.
Aria felt her chest tighten. But she refused to show it. She lowered her gaze, quietly thinking that if this was all the Alpha would give her, it would have to be enough—for now.
The ritual ended with a loud crash, warriors stamping their spears in salute. Kael turned sharply, cloak sweeping behind him, and walked away, leaving Aria standing alone for a fraction longer.
When the hall emptied, Aria finally let out a breath she hadn't realized she'd been holding. She had survived her first public test. But the weight of it pressed on her chest like iron.
Kael appeared beside her suddenly. His presence startled her. "Do you understand now?" he asked, voice low and precise. "The role you have chosen—or rather, the role chosen for you—is not simple. The eyes of this kingdom will always watch you. Obey, or falter."
Aria's jaw tightened. "I understand," she whispered.
"Good," he said. His gaze lingered just a moment longer, sharp and piercing. Then he turned and walked away, leaving her trembling with the realization that even though she had survived the ceremony, she was far from safe.
As she exited into the quieter corridors, the echo of the hall still ringing in her ears, Aria whispered to herself:
I will not break. Not here. Not now. Not for him—or for anyone.
And somewhere in the shadows of the fortress, Kael watched her go.
The quiet storm inside Aria had begun… and he knew it.