The Blackfang compound was nothing like Aria expected.
Carved into the heart of the forest, it was a blend of nature and raw strength — wooden cabins, towering stone halls, torches instead of electricity, and a pack that moved like a living organism. Fierce. Unified. And deeply suspicious of her.
Everywhere she went, she felt them watching.
But none more than him.
Kael.
The Alpha.
He never spoke to her unless absolutely necessary. But he watched her — constantly. From the training grounds, from the edge of gatherings, from the high balcony of the Alpha's lodge. And every time their eyes met, it felt like the air between them was thick enough to choke on.
She hated it.
And craved it.
---
"Don't touch that," snapped a voice behind her.
Aria flinched and turned. A young she-wolf, lean and scarred, glared at her as Aria reached for a bowl of herbs on the healer's shelf.
"I'm just organizing. Helping," Aria said calmly.
"You're human. You don't belong here."
Aria's fists clenched. "Neither did Kael, when he first became Alpha. He fought to prove himself."
The girl snarled. "Don't you dare compare yourself to him."
Before it could escalate, a shadow fell over both of them.
Kael.
His voice was low, dangerous. "Is there a problem?"
The girl's face paled instantly. "No, Alpha."
"Then leave," he growled.
She obeyed without another word, disappearing like smoke in the wind.
Kael turned his gaze to Aria.
There it was again — those eyes. Silver. Wild. Angry. But something else simmered under the surface. Hunger. Confusion. Lust.
Aria felt it like a wave. It stole her breath.
"I don't need you defending me," she said, voice softer than she intended.
"I wasn't," he muttered. "I just can't have pack fights breaking out over herbs."
"You've been watching me."
He didn't deny it.
"Why?"
Kael took a step closer. "Because you're unpredictable. Because your scent distracts me. Because I can't stop thinking about what it felt like when you looked at me in the woods."
Aria's heart thundered. She stepped back. "So reject me."
"I can't," he hissed. "Not until I understand why the Goddess picked you."
"Maybe because you need someone who won't bow to your growls."
He actually laughed — a low, surprised sound, like it had been years since he allowed himself to feel anything. But it faded quickly, and his gaze darkened again.
"You have no idea what kind of fire you're playing with, Aria."
"Neither do you," she whispered, stepping past him.
But before she could leave, he caught her wrist — gently, yet firmly.
The contact ignited the bond again. Heat surged through her body. Her breath hitched.
Kael stared at her like he was at war with himself.
Then slowly, he released her… and turned away.
---
That night, Aria stood at her small window, staring into the dark woods beyond. Somewhere out there, a wolf howled — lonely, low, aching.
She didn't know if it was Kael.
But she felt it in her soul.
And even though she tried to fight it…
She knew this was only the beginning.