The guards lead me into the packhouse — a fortress of shadows and steel. Every step echoes through the hall like I'm walking into my own grave.
Kael walks ahead without a word, his presence filling the corridor. He doesn't even look back, but somehow I can feel his attention — heavy, burning, tracing every breath I take.
When we reach the throne room, he stops and finally turns to me.
His golden eyes meet mine, and for a moment, I forget how to breathe.
"Remove your hood," he orders.
I hesitate. My fingers tremble as I pull it back, revealing my face — the face of the girl whose life he destroyed.
He studies me in silence.
No recognition. No guilt. Just cold curiosity.
"You're not from here," he says. "And yet… your scent feels familiar."
My pulse quickens. He can't know. He can't.
"I'm just a rogue," I lie, forcing my voice to steady. "Looking for shelter."
His lips twitch — almost a smirk, but not quite.
"Lies have a scent too, Aria."
My name.
He says it like he's known it for centuries.
The air grows colder. A strange pull tightens in my chest, as if invisible threads are stitching me closer to him. I hate it. I hate him.
But when he steps closer, my wolf stirs — restless, drawn.
"You'll stay in the east wing," Kael says finally. "Under guard. Until I decide what to do with you."
I nod, my heart pounding.
As I turn to leave, something on the wall catches my eye — a painting.
A woman with silver hair and blue eyes… my mother.
Before I can move, Kael's voice cuts through the silence.
"She was a good Luna," he says quietly. "Brave. Too brave."
I freeze.
"How do you know her?"
Kael's gaze darkens.
"Because," he murmurs, stepping closer, "I was there the night she died."
My blood runs cold.
Before I can ask more, a wolf's howl echoes outside — long, mournful, and broken.
Kael's head snaps toward the window. His expression changes — for the first time, there's something like fear in his eyes.
"Stay here," he orders, his voice low. "Whatever happens, don't follow me."
He vanishes into the darkness before I can speak.
And then I hear it — a whisper that isn't mine.
You shouldn't have come back, Aria.