Aurora's heart raced as she entered the castle quietly, trying to push the night's meeting with Kael out of her mind. She felt shaken, but also… alive. Her world was different now, and there was no going back. She knew she should be careful, that her father would never forgive her if he found out she was meeting with the wolves. But she couldn't help it—she wanted to see Kael again.
The next day, as she moved through the castle halls, she noticed something odd. Guards were everywhere, more than usual. They watched her closely, following her every move. A chill ran down her spine. Did her father suspect something?
When she finally saw him in the throne room, his face was hard and unreadable. He glanced at her with piercing eyes.
"Aurora," he said, his tone colder than usual. "Come here."
Aurora swallowed, her heart pounding as she walked forward, her mind racing with worry. She kept her face calm, hoping he hadn't learned about her secret meetings in the forest.
"Aurora, I know you've been… curious about the wolves," he said, his voice laced with disapproval. "Curiosity is dangerous. Those creatures are our enemies, do you understand that?"
Aurora nodded, keeping her gaze steady. "Yes, Father," she replied softly, though every part of her rebelled against his words.
But the king wasn't finished. He motioned to one of his guards, who stepped forward with a grim look on his face.
"The alpha has been seen near the border," the guard said, his voice tense. "We've tightened security, and we're preparing for an attack. It seems they are planning something, perhaps even a raid."
Aurora's heart skipped. Kael was near the border? She tried to keep her face neutral, but fear flickered through her. If the guards found him, if they caught him…
Her father noticed her expression. "This is no time for softness, Aurora. The wolves will take advantage of any weakness. If we let our guard down, they'll use it against us. That's why we're preparing for war."
The words hit her like a blow. War. She knew this moment would come, but hearing it made it feel all too real. She could only imagine Kael and his people, trying to survive while her father's soldiers marched closer. Her hands clenched, anger and sadness battling within her. She wanted to help Kael, to stop this, but she was just a princess—powerless against her father's hatred.
—-
That night, Aurora couldn't sleep. She lay awake, staring at the ceiling, her heart heavy with worry. She thought of Kael out in the cold forest, of the wolves hiding from soldiers. Finally, she made a decision. She had to warn him. She couldn't let him be taken, couldn't let his people suffer more.
Wrapping herself in a cloak, Aurora slipped out of the castle once again, moving silently through the halls and out into the night. She knew the path by heart now, and her feet carried her quickly to the forest, her heart pounding with fear and determination.
When she reached the trees, she stopped, looking around, hoping he would hear her silent call. The woods were dark and quiet, the only sounds the rustling leaves and her own breathing. She took a step forward, whispering his name into the shadows.
"Kael."
A few tense moments passed, and then she saw him—a tall figure stepping out of the darkness. His silver eyes met hers, and he looked both fierce and relieved to see her.
"Aurora," he murmured, stepping closer. "What are you doing here? It's too dangerous."
"I came to warn you," she said, her voice trembling. "My father knows you're near. He's sending soldiers. He's… he's preparing for war."
Kael's face hardened, his jaw clenching. "So, he's finally making his move," he muttered bitterly. "I knew this day would come. I just didn't think it would be so soon."
Aurora's heart ached as she looked at him, at the man who was meant to be her enemy yet felt like something far more. "I don't want this, Kael," she said softly. "There has to be another way. We don't have to fight."
Kael shook his head, his expression full of sadness and anger. "You're brave to believe that, Princess. But it's not that simple. Your father sees us as beasts, as threats to his kingdom. He won't stop until we're gone."
"But you're not beasts," she whispered, her voice breaking. "I see that now. I see… I see you."
A flicker of something passed through Kael's eyes—hope, perhaps, or sorrow. He reached out, his hand brushing her cheek gently. "You're different, Aurora. You see more than others. But kindness isn't enough to stop a war."
They stood there in silence, the weight of their words heavy between them. And then, Kael's gaze turned serious. "You need to go," he said firmly. "It's not safe here, not anymore."
Aurora shook her head, desperation in her eyes. "Kael, please. I can help. I can talk to my father. I can—"
"No," he cut her off, his voice full of regret. "If you're seen with me, they'll accuse you of treason. They'll lock you up or worse. I can't let that happen."
Aurora's heart shattered, but she knew he was right. She couldn't change her father's mind, couldn't stop the hatred that had poisoned his heart. She looked up at Kael, fighting back tears. "I don't want to lose you."
Kael's hand tightened on hers, his expression fierce and full of pain. "You're stronger than you think, Aurora. But for now, you need to stay safe. And I… I need to protect my people."
Before she could respond, Kael pulled her close, wrapping her in a tight embrace. She felt his warmth, his strength, and for a moment, the world faded away. All that mattered was this moment, this connection between them that nothing could break.
But then, he pulled back, his eyes sad but determined. "Go," he whispered. "Go before it's too late."
Aurora nodded, tears slipping down her cheeks. She took one last look at him, memorizing his face, his eyes, the way he looked at her with both love and sorrow.
And then she turned, running back into the night, her heart breaking with every step.
As she neared the castle, she glanced back one last time, hoping he would still be there, watching her. But the forest was empty, silent, and cold. Aurora knew that her life would never be the same. She had tasted freedom, and now, her heart was forever tied to the wolves, to Kael, even if the world would tear them apart.
Back in her room, Aurora lay awake, feeling both the thrill and the pain of her stolen freedom. She knew that her actions would have consequences, that her father would not forgive her betrayal if he found out. But nothing could change what she had seen, what she felt.
Her world was no longer simple, no longer black and white. She had seen the heart of the wolf, and it had changed her forever.