✨ Chapter 5 – Divided Paths
The magical pulse between Ariana and Kai had barely faded when the Hybrid Den erupted into whispers.
Students stared openly:
*light magic mixing with wolf aura?*
*That's never happened…*
*Why with Kai Vesper of all people?*
Ariana wished she could melt into the floor.
Kai, of course, stood unfazed — calm as moonlight.
Her brothers, however, were the opposite of calm.
---
## **The Interrogation**
Cassian stepped into Kai's space.
"What. Did. You. Do?"
Kai blinked. "I touched her hand."
Landon scowled. "Too much touching."
"I didn't—"
"TOO. MUCH."
Luca narrowed his eyes. "We'll be watching you."
"We always watch," Theo added.
"And judge," Adrian said.
The twins pointed at their eyes dramatically.
"WE SEE ALL."
Kai stared at them for three silent seconds.
"I regret volunteering as her guide."
"VOLUNTEERING?!" the brothers chorused.
Ariana groaned into her hands.
"Can you all PLEASE stop?"
---
## **The Four Pillars Show Up**
As if things weren't chaotic enough, Kai's clique materialized at the entrance.
**Rylan** stepped forward first, smelling drama like smoke.
"We felt a magic spike. What happened?"
**Zane** stared at Ariana again, eyes narrowed.
"Her aura is… flaring."
**Calen** smirked. "So the little Sterling got your wolf's attention?"
Kai didn't answer — which was answer enough.
The brothers bristled instantly.
"This is getting ridiculous," Ariana muttered. "I'm fine. Nothing happened."
Zane's voice cut through the noise.
"You don't understand your wolf, do you?"
Ariana stiffened. "I—no. And I don't want to talk about it."
Kai stepped closer, voice low but firm.
"She doesn't have to explain anything. Not to anyone."
Rylan raised a brow. "Protective much?"
Kai didn't deny it.
Ariana's face heated.
---
## **Finally — The Brothers Leave**
After ten minutes of arguing, posturing, and enough testosterone to power a small city, the bell chimed loudly:
**"ALL STUDENTS REPORT TO THEIR DIVISION TRAINING SPACES!"**
Cassian sighed. "We have to go."
Luca groaned. "But—"
"You'll see her later," their father said calmly from behind them. Ariana hadn't even noticed him arrive.
He looked at her with gentle eyes.
"Let Kai do his job, sweetheart."
Ariana blinked. "Dad…"
He squeezed her shoulder. "He's the strongest wolf in the school. He'll protect you better than your brothers can right now."
Kai's wolf energy flared in agreement — calm, steady, confident.
Cassian reluctantly nodded.
"We'll check on you at lunch."
Landon pointed at Kai. "If anything happens—anything—"
"—you'll kill me?" Kai guessed dryly.
"All together this time," the brothers declared.
They finally scattered to their divisions:
* Cassian → **Mentalist**
* Landon → **Guardian**
* Luca → **Elemental (Fire)**
* Adrian → **Elemental (Storm)**
* Theo → **Elemental (Water)**
* Max & Mason → **Hybrid (Teleportation/Forcefields)**
Ariana suddenly felt *small* without their huge, overbearing presence.
Kai noticed.
"You okay?"
She nodded. "Just… weird being alone."
"You're not alone," he said softly.
Her stomach fluttered — annoyingly.
---
## **Ariana's Wolf Stirs… Again**
Kai led her deeper into the Hybrid Den, where wolves practiced controlled shifts. The place was filled with the scents of magic and fur.
Ariana's wolf rose inside her chest — not violently, not dangerously — but like it was sniffing the air, curious.
A warm pull tugged toward Kai.
Ariana swallowed.
"Why does my wolf keep reacting to you?"
Kai hesitated.
Then he stepped closer — slow, deliberate, careful not to overwhelm her — and gently placed his hand near her shoulder without touching.
Her wolf surged upward.
A soft glow spread beneath Ariana's skin.
Light magic shimmered faintly around her.
Kai inhaled slowly, pupils narrowing.
"It reacts because our wolves… recognize each other."
Ariana's heart raced.
"What does that mean?"
Kai took a breath, his voice low.
"You're not just any werewolf, Ariana. You're something else. Something rare."
"What am I?"
He stepped even closer.
"You're lunar-blood."
Ariana blinked. "Lunar… what?"
Kai nodded.
"Lunar-blood wolves are born once in centuries. Blessed directly by the moon spirit. They're powerful — too powerful — which is why your wolf is hard to control."
Ariana felt dizzy. "Then… what about you?"
Kai's eyes glowed softly — silver around the edges.
"I'm sun-blood."
Ariana stared.
"What does that mean?"
Kai held her gaze, serious and gentle at once.
"It means," he said quietly,
"our wolves are natural counterparts."
Ariana froze.
"Counterparts as in…?"
Kai looked away just for a moment — a rare crack in his composure.
"Bonded," he said finally. "But not in the way you think. Not mates. Not romance. Something older."
Ariana's breath shook.
"What's older than mates?"
Kai's voice dropped to a whisper.
"Destiny."