Aria's POV
I squatted close to the brush, using my ancient knife to gently cut sprigs of yarrow as the chill wind nipped at my face. My hands shook not from the cold, but from the constant discomfort of being outside. Too near the border. It's too far away.
I froze as I heard a limb shatter sharply in the distance. Slowly, my violet eyes scanned the surrounding dark forests as I turned my head.
Nothing.
Only a rabbit or a bird. I told myself that, anyhow. After putting the plants in my satchel, I got up and brushed the dirt off my knees. That's when I saw it: a deep gash cut into a neighboring pine's trunk. The faint but distinct smell of blood permeated the air.
Rogues.
The understanding was like a kick to the stomach. I turned to go, taking slow, deliberate steps to keep from making a sound. However, the stillness behind me was broken by voices before I could go more than a few steps.
"Well, take a look at what we have."
I could hear the contempt in Gareth's voice without turning. The lawmaker.
I said steadily and swiftly, "I'm just gathering herbs." "Just that."
"Herbs close to the boundary? Isn't it convenient? Gareth appeared, his weight obstructing my way. Two additional enforcers stood on each side of him, their faces grim.
I gripped my satchel hard and snapped, "I didn't cross it."
Gareth grinned more broadly. Then describe the tree's scratches. Or the blood? It smells like the work of a renegade.
"I didn't."
I jerked forward as he grasped my arm. "Preserve it. To deal with you, the council has been waiting for a reason. Do you think a traitor's daughter will be believed?
"I'm not betraying you!" His hold just became tighter as I twisted.
"Tell the Alpha about it." Gareth gestured to the other people. "Grab her."
The weight of their charges weighed heavily on me as they pulled me toward the settlement. Nobody would pay attention. They didn't.
The atmosphere in the council room was oppressive, full of scorn and condemnation. As I was pushed to my knees in front of the elders, my pulse raced. Each of their icy stares silently reminded me of my position—or lack thereof—in the Crimsonhowl Pack.
"Caught near the border with evidence of rogue activity," said Elder Malrick in a tone full of contempt. "Aria Nightshade." Do you not believe this?
"I wasn't assisting outlaws!" I glared at him as I fired back. "I was gathering herbs." That's all.
"Falsehoods." Malrick bent over. "Girl, it's in your blood. Treason.
"Enough." Like a razor, the speech sliced through the tension. Commanding, deep, and unknown.
The room doors opened and everyone's heads turned. The room was immediately filled with the presence of a guy who marched inside. His amber eyes blazed with a ferocity that left me gasping for air, and his raven-black hair was swept back.
Kael Dravenwood, Alpha.
The Duskridge Phantom.
With a chilly tone, Kael said, "I didn't come here to watch you squabble over petty accusations." "I came to get answers."
Malrick stood up and bowed his head. Alpha Dravenwood, of course. What kind of help is Duskridge looking for?
Kael looked across the council and then at me and continued, "Rogues have been raiding my territory." "Allies, not incompetence, are what I need."
His golden eyes glowed like fire against my own, making my skin tingle beneath his inspection. As if an unseen thread had been stretched tight between us, something raw and primordial shook deep within of me.
Although Kael's jaw slightly clenched, his demeanor remained unwavering. He turned aside and spoke to Malrick once again.
"Should I make my request elsewhere or can I rely on Crimsonhowl's support?"
"You have our allegiance," Malrick replied hastily.
Kael gave a single, dismissive, brief nod. His motions were calm and perfect as he turned to go. However, his gaze returned to mine just before he entered the doors.
And the globe seemed to tilt for a moment.
I was left standing in the council chamber's shadows as the meeting broke up. I was surrounded by whispers, bits and pieces of a discourse that made my stomach turn.
"The infamous alpha will emerge."
"Combine or dismantle the packs."
The words lingered, nibbling at the corners of my consciousness, even as their voices became softer as they went away.
Needing air, I snuck out into the forest. There was a hush in the woods, an eerie silence. As I moved near the boundary of the area, my footfall sounded gentle against the bush.
I noticed them at that point.
With her snow-white hair gleaming in the moonlight, Celeste Frostbane stood in the clearing. A guy was lounging against a tree across from her, his golden-brown hair gleaming in the dim light.
Thornfield, Jax. An outlaw.
Celeste's voice was keen yet quiet as she said, "Everything is in place." "Kael won't anticipate it."
With a sly smile, Jax twirled a knife in his palm. "Are you certain the council won't get involved?"
"They'll be too preoccupied with chasing shadows."
My breath caught, and I took an automatic step back. The crack of my foot hitting a dry twig sounded like a gunshot in the silence.
Celeste's cold blue eyes met my as her head snapped around.
"Who is present?"
I turned to escape as panic swept through me, but it was too late. Celeste's icy, piercing voice pierced the night.
"Aria."
My heart pounded in my chest as I froze. I turned back to her slowly.
She took a stride in my direction as her lips formed a menacing grin.
She spoke the words, "Well, well," in a mocking tone. "Why is the traitor's daughter out here, skulking around in an inappropriate place?"
Jax spun his knife in his fingers and pushed off the tree, it glinting. "It appears that someone has been listening in."
I made myself stand up straight by clenching my fists. "I have no idea what you're discussing."
Celeste grinned broadly. "Well, but I believe you do."
Her words trailed down to a whisper as she moved closer. "And now, don't we have a problem?"
Jax took a stride in my direction as his knife froze in his palm. "What should we do with her, Celeste?"
"I think it's time Aria learned the price of meddling," Celeste said, her cold eyes never leaving mine.