Chapter 2 The Cage and the Crown

The days bled together like twilight in a storm.

Aria didn't know how long she'd been locked in the stone cell beneath the Darkfang fortress. There were no windows, only the slow drip of water from somewhere unseen and the constant smell of moss and old blood. Her wolf clawed restlessly beneath her skin, howling for freedom.

But there was no moonlight here. No pack. No home.

And no escape.

She spent her hours pacing, memorizing every inch of her prison, her fingers brushing the cold stone walls as she searched for cracks or loose bars. She found nothing. The guards rarely spoke, and when they brought her food, they slid it through a small gap in the iron bars without meeting her gaze.

She didn't eat much. Her body weakened. But her mind stayed sharp.

She would not die here.

Her rage kept her alive.

Kael hadn't returned since the day he marked her. She didn't know what that meant. Was he ashamed? Regretful? Or worse-was he indifferent?

Aria pressed her fingers to the mark on her neck. It throbbed some nights. It pulsed with heat when she dreamed.

Sometimes she dreamed of his eyes-those silver, storm-filled eyes watching her like she belonged to him.

She woke up cursing herself when it happened.

She didn't want this. Didn't ask for it.

The bond was supposed to be sacred-a blessing.

He had made it a curse.

On the sixth day-at least, she thought it was the sixth-the footsteps returned.

Not the guard. These were heavier.

Kael.

She stood, spine straight, jaw set, ready for whatever he had come for.

He appeared in the doorway wearing dark clothes, his long coat dusted with dried blood. His eyes met hers, and that strange flicker of emotion passed between them again-recognition, tethered by the mate bond neither of them could control.

"You look thin," he said.

"Starvation looks good on me," she snapped.

He didn't rise to the bait.

"I'm not here to fight," he said, unlocking the door.

Her wolf surged. The door was open.

But Kael stepped inside, calm, like he dared her to try something.

Aria bared her teeth. "You think I won't kill you?"

"I know you want to. But the bond won't let you," he said flatly.

She hated that he was right.

"You destroyed my home," she whispered.

He nodded. "I did."

"You killed my parents."

"I ordered the attack."

"Then why not kill me too?"

"Because you're mine."

That word again. It made her stomach churn.

She lunged, fists aimed at his chest. Kael caught her effortlessly, pulling her close. The bond ignited-heat searing her skin, a rush of fire in her veins.

"Let go of me!" she screamed.

"Calm down, Aria."

Her name in his voice was like a snare.

She went still, panting.

Kael slowly released her.

"You're not a prisoner anymore. I'm taking you upstairs."

She blinked. "Why?"

He stepped back. "Because you need to understand what's coming next."

"What's coming?" she asked warily.

He gave a grim smile.

"A coronation. You're going to be my Luna."

---

The Darkfang fortress was nothing like her home.

Stone towers stretched into the sky, their tips disappearing into a perpetual fog. The halls were cold and grand, built more for intimidation than warmth. Aria followed Kael through them, her bare feet silent against the marble floors.

Servants stopped and stared. Some bowed. Some turned away.

Her presence caused a ripple.

She kept her chin high.

He led her to a room-not a prison, but not freedom either. A bedroom with a carved wooden bed, deep furs, and a window overlooking the mountains.

She ran to the window and looked out.

Wolves trained in the yard below. Dozens of them. Maybe more.

She was deep in enemy territory.

"You'll stay here from now on," Kael said. "You'll be given clothes, food, and guards. You're not to leave the fortress."

"I'm still a prisoner," she said coldly.

"Not a prisoner. A Luna-in-waiting."

"I'll never be your Luna."

Kael's eyes darkened. "The bond says otherwise."

She turned away. "The bond can go to hell."

He didn't argue.

Instead, he left, and the door closed behind him.

---

The days that followed were strange.

She was given gowns-rich silks, deep reds, and blacks like shadows. She refused to wear them. She bathed only when forced. She barely spoke.

But she listened.

The servants whispered.

"She's the one."

"The girl from Mooncrest."

"She'll tame him. Or she'll die trying."

And Kael... he kept his distance. He never touched her again. Never forced her. But he watched. From across rooms, from doorways. Always watching.

The bond burned every time.

Her wolf paced restlessly. Confused. Drawn to him, even as her heart rebelled.

One night, she found herself on the balcony, under the stars. The moon was hidden, but she could feel it-just beyond the clouds.

Then she heard him.

"You miss the sky."

She turned. Kael stood behind her, shirt loose at the collar, hair tousled.

"I miss freedom."

He stepped closer. "You'll have it. In time."

She glared. "Don't lie to me."

"I'm not."

A pause.

"Why me?" she asked. "Why mark me? Why not reject the bond?"

Kael's jaw clenched. "Because I can't."

"You don't even know me."

He looked at her then, truly looked at her. "I know your strength. I saw it the night your world burned and you didn't break."

Aria's chest tightened.

"I hate you," she whispered.

"I know," he said. "But one day... you won't."

She turned away, refusing to let him see the tears in her eyes.