Chapter 4 Shadows

The forest was quiet.

Aria walked with her bag over her shoulder. Her steps were fast. Her jaw was tight.

Kael followed behind her. He kept his distance, but not far. His eyes never left her.

The air between them was thick. The bond pulsed strong.

Neither spoke. The silence pressed heavy.

Her wolf whispered inside. "He is close. He will not leave."

Aria ignored it. She focused on the path.

Every sound of his boots behind her burned her ears. Every step reminded her of the mate she had lost.

Her chest ached.

She wanted to hate him. She wanted to run. But she could not. The bond pulled too strong.

The sun climbed higher. Heat pressed down.

Aria stopped at a stream. She knelt. She splashed water on her face.

Kael stayed back. He watched her. His throat tight.

Finally, she spoke. Her voice was flat. "Why follow me if you will not talk?"

He stepped closer. "Because if I talk, you will not hear me."

She looked at him. Her eyes were cold. "Try me."

He breathed out. His voice was steady. "I regret every word I said that night. I regret the rejection."

Her chest tightened.

Her voice cracked. "You cannot take it back."

He shook his head. "No. But I can fight for what is left."

She stared at him. Her wolf stirred restless.

Her hand touched the water. Her voice was low. "You broke me. You left me in pieces. Now you want me to pick them up for you?"

He moved closer. His voice was rough. "No. I will pick them up with you."

Her eyes burned. She looked away.

The bond pulsed sharp between them.

They walked again. The trees grew denser. The shadows stretched longer.

Aria kept her eyes forward. Kael stayed close.

Suddenly, her wolf growled inside. "Danger."

Aria stopped. Her eyes scanned the trees.

Kael stiffened. His wolf rose strong. His ears caught movement.

Branches cracked. Leaves shifted.

Three figures stepped out. Rogues. Their eyes glowed gold. Their teeth sharp.

Aria's breath caught. She gripped her knife.

Kael stepped in front of her. His chest rose. His growl thundered.

The rogues snarled. Their voices were sharp. "Give us the girl."

Kael's wolf snapped. His voice was ice. "She is mine."

The rogues laughed. Their eyes gleamed. "She smells weak. Easy prey."

Aria's chest tightened. Anger flared in her eyes. She stepped forward. "I am not weak."

Her knife flashed in her hand.

Kael shot her a look. His voice firm. "Stay behind me."

Her wolf growled inside. "We fight."

Aria's jaw clenched. She stayed where she was, but her grip tightened.

The rogues lunged.

Kael shifted fast. His wolf tore through. Massive, black fur bristling. His snarl split the air.

He slammed into the first rogue. Teeth sank. Blood spilled.

Aria's heart pounded. She held her knife ready.

The second rogue came at her. She ducked, slashed hard. Her blade cut deep across his arm. He roared.

Kael ripped the throat of the first. He spun, snapped at the third. His teeth sank bone.

Aria's arms shook, but she pushed forward. She stabbed the second rogue in the side. He staggered.

Kael finished the third. He turned fast. He slammed the second down. His jaws ended him.

The forest fell silent.

Blood stained the ground. The air stank of death.

Aria's chest heaved. Her knife dripped red.

Kael shifted back. His body shook, but his eyes burned strong.

He looked at her. His voice low. "You fought well."

Her chest tightened. Her wolf purred inside.

But her voice was sharp. "Do not praise me as if I need it."

He nodded. "Not praise. Truth."

She looked away. Her breath fast.

They cleaned at the stream. The water ran red before it cleared.

Aria sat on the rock. Her arms trembled. Her eyes stared at the water.

Kael knelt near her. His voice was quiet. "The rogues grow bold. They move closer than they should."

She stayed silent.

He continued. "Someone leads them."

Her head turned. Her eyes met his. "Who?"

His jaw tightened. "I do not know yet. But I will find out."

Her wolf stirred inside. "He protects."

Her throat ached. Her voice came soft. "Do not act as if you still have that right."

His chest ached. He forced his voice steady. "I never lost that right."

Her hands clenched on her knees.

The bond throbbed sharp.

Night fell. They found a clearing. Aria built the fire. Kael hunted.

He returned with a rabbit. He skinned it quick. He set it over the flames.

They sat across from each other. The fire cracked.

Aria's eyes flicked to him. She spoke. "You said someone leads them. Who would dare?"

Kael's gaze was steady. "Only a rival Alpha. Or a traitor inside the pack."

Her chest sank. "Your pack."

He nodded. "Yes."

Her wolf stirred restless. "Danger grows."

Her hand trembled. She pulled her cloak tighter.

Her voice cracked. "If someone hunts me, is it because of the bond?"

His eyes locked on hers. "Yes."

Her chest squeezed. She whispered. "Then I should have never come back."

He leaned forward. His voice fierce. "No. You belong by my side. They know it. That is why they come. To tear us apart."

Her eyes burned. Her wolf pressed close.

Her voice was sharp. "Do not twist this. You already tore us apart."

The words cut him.

His chest ached. His wolf howled inside.

He said nothing.

They sat in silence. The fire burned low.

Hours passed. Aria lay on the ground, her back to him. She stared at the stars. Her eyes heavy, but her mind restless.

The bond pulsed strong. His presence filled her senses. His scent wrapped around her.

She hated it. She needed it.

Her wolf whispered. "We belong."

Her eyes filled with tears.

Kael sat awake by the fire. He watched her. His chest heavy.

He wanted to reach for her. He wanted to pull her close. But he held back.

His wolf growled. "Claim her."

His jaw clenched. "Not yet."

The night stretched long.

At dawn, they moved again.

The forest thinned. A road opened ahead.

Aria stopped. Her eyes narrowed.

Smoke rose in the distance.

Kael stiffened. His senses sharpened. "Something burns."

They ran forward.

They reached the edge of a village. Houses smoldered. Bodies lay scattered. Wolves dead and human.

Aria's breath caught. Her hand flew to her mouth.

Kael's eyes burned. His wolf snarled.

He knelt by a body. His voice was hard. "Rogues. But not wild. Trained."

Aria's chest squeezed. "Who would order this?"

His jaw was stone. "A pack with no honor. Or one with a message."

Her wolf stirred. "We are hunted."

Her voice shook. "We should leave."

He shook his head. His eyes sharp. "No. We hunt them."

She looked at him. Her heart pounded.

His voice was fierce. "They touched my land. They touched my people. They threatened you. They will pay."

The bond pulsed hard.

Her wolf pressed against him. Her chest ached.

Her mind whispered. "Do not trust him."

Her heart whispered. "Stay."

She stood silent.

The fire in his eyes told her one truth.

The war was only beginning.