The training ground buzzed with murmurs and tension long after Aria's fiery display. Her hands still tingled from the surge that had burst out of her during the mock sparring session. Her body trembled not out of fear, but from the aftershock of her own power—something she never even knew she possessed.
Lena was the first to reach her side as the gathered crowd slowly dispersed. The council members left in a murmur of hushed whispers, some casting unreadable glances toward Aria, while Maria and her minions stormed off with scowls of disbelief carved into their faces.
"That was incredible," Lena whispered, walking beside her as they left the training grounds. "The way the flames answered you... Aria, that wasn't just werewolf strength. That was... something else."
Aria tried to smile, but the confusion in her eyes dimmed her expression. "I didn't know I could do that. It just... happened."
Lena nodded knowingly. "That's how it begins. My grandmother used to say that true power reveals itself in the moment you need it most. Come on, you need to rest."
They walked the marble corridors of the Alpha Fortress, the golden light from enchanted chandeliers reflecting against the silver-tiled floor. The deeper they moved into the inner quarters, the quieter it became. The weight of what had just happened hung heavily between them.
Lena kept stealing glances at Aria. "You should be careful. Not everyone will be thrilled by what happened out there. The council is already divided about your presence."
"Because I'm human?" Aria asked, already knowing the answer.
"Because you're something they don't understand. You're not just human or werewolf. You're... both, and yet something more. It's going to stir things up." Lena hesitated before adding, "You should be prepared for that."
They reached the intersection where their chambers split. Lena gave her hand a soft squeeze. "You were amazing, Aria. But be on guard. They won't come at you openly, but they'll try to cut you down quietly."
Aria nodded, her mind still whirling. "Thank you, Lena. For everything."
With a final smile, Lena turned down her corridor, leaving Aria alone with the echo of her own thoughts. She sighed and continued toward her room, her steps slowing as she neared her door.
Something felt... off.
As she reached for the doorknob, she noticed it was slightly ajar. Her brows furrowed. The maids had no reason to enter without permission. Heart pounding, she pushed the door open.
Inside, Maria and her two usual minions stood in the center of the room, laughing as they held up Aria's belongings. One had her cloak, another rifled through the drawers, while Maria was peering into a small velvet box that had been sitting on Aria's side table.
"Looks like the stray mutt has finer taste than we thought," Maria said with a smirk.
Aria froze at the doorway, a storm brewing in her eyes.
"What do you think you're doing?" Her voice was low, but the tone carried like the calm before a deadly storm.
Maria turned, clearly unbothered. "Oh, didn't see you there. We were just... inspecting. You know, making sure you weren't hiding anything dangerous."
"Get. Out," Aria said through gritted teeth.
One of the minions snickered. "Or what? You'll throw another magical tantrum like you did at training today?"
The flames that had lain dormant since the arena flickered at Aria's fingertips again, faint but visible.
Maria noticed and quickly stepped back, her mask of arrogance faltering. "Let's go," she hissed, throwing the cloak to the floor. Her followers trailed behind, one of them still laughing nervously.
As they passed Aria, Maria paused by the doorway. "You might've surprised everyone today, but this place doesn't belong to you. You don't belong here."
Aria met her glare with unflinching calm. "We'll see about that."
When the door finally shut behind them, Aria let out the breath she'd been holding. Her knees weakened slightly, and she leaned against the door.
She had barely begun to take it all in when there was a soft knock.
"Aria?"
Kael's voice.
She opened the door. His expression immediately shifted when he saw her face.
"What happened? Are you alright?"
Aria hesitated. "Maria. She and her friends were in my room."
Kael's jaw clenched. "What? How dare they—"
"It's fine," she interrupted. "They didn't hurt me. Just… tried to rattle me."
He stepped inside, glancing around before turning to her again. "You shouldn't have to deal with this. I should have—"
"You can't protect me from everything," she said, her voice soft but steady. "Besides... I think I can handle it."
Kael studied her, pride flickering in his eyes. "Yes. Yes, you can."
There was a moment of silence between them, thick with understanding.
"You were incredible out there today," he added. "The council saw it. The pack saw it. You're not just some outsider, Aria. You're something more."
She lowered her eyes. "But I don't know what I am. Not really."
He reached into his pocket and held up the necklace again. The same one he had given her during their escape.
"This... it responds to your energy. It's old, ancient even. My family guarded it for generations, but it was never active. Until you."
Aria stared at it, the moon-shaped crystal pulsing faintly with a silvery light.
"Why me?" she whispered.
Kael shook his head slowly. "I don't know yet. But I'll find out. We both will."
Aria took the necklace and slipped it around her neck, feeling its warmth seep into her skin. Somehow, it calmed the turbulence inside her.
Kael gave her a soft smile. "Get some rest. Tomorrow, we begin the real training."
As he turned to leave, she called out, "Kael?"
He looked back.
"Thank you. For believing in me."
His smile widened. "Always."
And with that, he was gone.
Aria stood alone in her chamber, but for the first time since she arrived, she didn't feel like an outsider.
She felt marked. Not by fate.
But by fire, mystery—and the beginning of something far greater.
Kael left her chamber closing the door slightly, as Aria advances to close the door she saw something glimmer at the corner of the entrance door.
"What's this" She said, curiously bending down to pick it up.
"Another necklace" She said surprised.