Aria left the cell with her pulse pounding in her ears, Lucien's words replaying in her mind. You're not just a wolf. You're something more. She wanted to dismiss it as another one of his games, a ploy to manipulate her—but she couldn't.
The conviction in his voice, the certainty in his crimson eyes, left a mark she couldn't shake.
The halls of the underground keep were unusually quiet, the dim light of the torches casting flickering shadows that seemed to dance with her unease. As she ascended the stairs back into the heart of the pack's stronghold, her thoughts swirled like a storm.
What did he mean?
Roderick was waiting in the main hall when she emerged. His arms were crossed, his expression unreadable as he regarded her. "Did you get anything useful out of him?"
Aria paused, unsure how much to share. She could feel the weight of his gaze, heavy with expectation. "He's playing games," she said carefully. "But he knows more than he's letting on."
"That much was obvious," Roderick said gruffly. "Did he say anything about the attack on the outer settlements? Or what Varis's next move might be?"
She hesitated, her fingers curling into fists. "No. He's more interested in stirring up doubts and riddles. He… suggested that Varis might fear me for some reason."
Roderick's brows furrowed, a flicker of concern breaking through his usually stoic demeanor. "Fear you? Why?"
"That's the part he wouldn't explain."
For a moment, Roderick said nothing, his gaze distant as if weighing her words. Then he sighed, his shoulders stiffening. "Lucien is a master manipulator. Don't let his words get into your head."
"They already have," Aria admitted, her voice quieter than she intended.
Before Roderick could respond, Elias appeared, his presence as steady as ever. He gave Aria a cursory glance, his expression softening briefly before he turned to Roderick.
"Any progress?" Elias asked, his voice even but carrying an edge of tension.
"None," Roderick said. "Lucien's playing his usual games."
Elias's jaw tightened, his green eyes flicking back to Aria. "You shouldn't have gone in there alone."
"I can handle myself," she shot back, irritation flaring in her chest.
"That's not the point," Elias said, his voice firm but not unkind. "Lucien thrives on finding cracks to exploit. And he's already put doubts in your mind, hasn't he?"
Aria looked away, the truth too raw to admit.
Elias sighed, stepping closer. "Look, I know you want answers. We all do. But Lucien is dangerous, and we can't afford to let him mess with your head. Especially now."
"Why especially now?" Aria asked, her tone sharper than she intended.
Elias hesitated, exchanging a glance with Roderick.
"Because Varis is making his move," Roderick said finally. "We've received reports of increased activity near the borders. Scouts have spotted his forces regrouping. Whatever he's planning, it's happening soon."
Aria felt a chill run down her spine. The weight of the pack's survival seemed to press down on her shoulders.
"Then we need to be ready," she said firmly.
Roderick nodded. "We will be. But you need to focus, Aria. Don't let Lucien distract you from what matters."
She swallowed hard, nodding even as doubt coiled in her chest.
---
That night, Aria couldn't sleep. Lucien's words haunted her, weaving their way into her dreams and refusing to let her rest. She found herself wandering the pack's territory under the pale glow of the moon, the cool night air doing little to calm her racing thoughts.
You're not just a wolf. You're something more.
Her footsteps carried her to the training grounds, where the faint sounds of clashing blades broke the silence. Curious, she followed the noise, her heart skipping a beat when she saw Elias sparring alone.
His movements were precise, almost graceful, as he wielded his blade against an imaginary opponent. The firelight from a nearby brazier highlighted the tension in his jaw, the intensity in his eyes.
"You're up late," she said, stepping closer.
Elias froze mid-swing, his gaze snapping to her. For a moment, his expression was unreadable, but then he sighed and lowered his weapon. "Couldn't sleep."
"Same," she admitted.
He studied her for a long moment, his green eyes searching hers. "You're thinking about what Lucien said."
It wasn't a question.
Aria crossed her arms, leaning against a nearby post. "How could I not? He said I'm something Varis fears. Something more than just a wolf."
Elias's jaw tightened, and she saw a flicker of hesitation in his expression.
"What aren't you telling me?" she asked, her voice steady but edged with frustration.
He looked away, running a hand through his hair. "It's not my place to tell you, Aria. But Roderick... he might know more than he's letting on."
Her chest tightened. "So you're saying there's something to what Lucien said?"
"I'm saying you deserve answers," Elias said quietly. "And that it might be time to start asking the right questions."
His words hung in the air between them, heavy with unspoken truths.
---
The next morning, Aria confronted Roderick in the council chamber. He was reviewing maps with two other elders when she stormed in, her determination cutting through the room like a blade.
"We need to talk," she said, her voice firm.
Roderick looked up, his brow furrowing at her tone. "Aria, now isn't the time—"
"Make time," she interrupted, stepping closer. "You've been keeping things from me. About who I am. About why Varis might fear me. I deserve to know the truth."
The room fell silent, the tension palpable.
Roderick sighed, dismissing the elders with a wave of his hand. Once they were alone, he turned to her, his expression weary.
"You're not wrong," he admitted. "There are things you don't know. Things I've kept from you because I thought it would protect you."
"Protect me from what?" she demanded.
"From yourself," he said simply.
His words hit her like a blow, leaving her reeling. "What does that mean?"
Roderick hesitated, his gaze heavy with guilt. "You're right, Aria. You're not just a wolf. And if Lucien knows that, it's only a matter of time before Varis does too."
Her world tilted on its axis, the weight of his words threatening to crush her.
"What am I?" she whispered, her voice barely audible.
Roderick's answer was quiet but devastating.
"You're the key to ending this war. Or to..... destroying us all."