Aria's POV
Celeste came closer, her ice blue eyes narrowing as she screamed, "Don't move." She had an ethereal radiance from the moonlight reflecting off her snow-white hair, which contrasted with the venom in her voice.
My heart pounded in my chest as I stood still. Jax, the outlaw, leaned idly against a tree and whirled his knife as if it were all a game.
With a sarcastic tone, Celeste went on, "You've got guts, Aria." "Skulking in places you don't belong."
I shot back, putting more force into my voice, "I wasn't sneaking." "I was collecting herbs."
Her icy, piercing laughter cut through the tension. "Herbs? Close to the border? Don't make fun of me.
Jax stood up straight and spun his knife between his fingers, making it shine. "Celeste, what should we do with her?"
Celeste tilted her head as if thinking, then grinned. It depends. Will you be wise enough to forget what you seen here, Aria?
I balled my fists up. "I have no idea what you're discussing."
Celeste took a step forward till we were only inches away as her face darkened. Well, but I believe you do. You see, you're hardly accepted as an outsider already. You'll wish you hadn't been born after hearing just one word from me.
Like a dagger at my neck, her warning hovered in the air. Even though my stomach roiled, I couldn't take my eyes off it.
"Good," she remarked in a gentler, even agreeable tone. "You're gaining knowledge. Aria, if you remain quiet, you may be able to maintain your wretched little existence.
She turned, gesturing for Jax to come along. The outlaw paused, staring at me with mismatched eyes, then shrugged and slipped away into the darkness.
I shakily exhaled, but my relief was fleeting. A deep growl rumbled through the woods as the air changed. Rogues. More of them.
With every stride, the smell of danger and blood intensified as I twisted on my heel and ran blindly into the trees.
My lungs hurt from the chilly night air, and my legs felt like jelly by the time I staggered into the settlement of Crimsonhowl. I could still hear the rogues' whispering, but as I got closer to the main plaza, I ignored them.
The lights in the council room were dark, and voices were muted as they floated through the broken doors. I stopped in the dark and heard bits of what they were saying.
"The damned alpha..."
"Combine or destroy."
My breath caught. The prophesy was the topic of conversation.
The voice of Elder Malrick broke through the crowd. "There are indications. The Moon Goddess tells the truth. When the cursed alpha rises, Silverveil will devolve into anarchy.
"Or unity," retorted another elder.
"Unity via devastation," Malrick said. Do you believe that the Duskridge Alpha is unaware of it? He had a purpose for coming here. Trust me when I say that Kael Dravenwood is more knowledgeable than he is admitting.
With my head racing, I drew closer. Kael. The prophesy. What did he have in common?
My stomach dropped as I heard footsteps behind me.
"Aria."
Slowly, I turned to find the enforcer from before, Gareth, standing there with his arms folded. He smirked as viciously as ever.
"Now eavesdropping? "How normal," he said. He took hold of my arm before I could reply. "The council would like to speak with you."
Despite my efforts to get free, he pulled me inside the room and threw me on my knees in front of the elders.
"Aria Nightshade," Malrick said in a tone laden with contempt. You've been seen mingling with renegades close to the border. Are you denying it?
"I wasn't."
"Quiet!" he yelled. "Are you aware that what you're doing might harm this pack? Or is it your intention to harm us all by following in your parents' footsteps?
My chest swelled with rage. "I didn't do anything incorrect! I discovered evidence of a rogue assault when I was collecting herbs. That's all.
The elders looked at one another with obvious mistrust.
"Enough." Malrick got up and stood up. You'll be held accountable for this. Take her, guards.
"Hold on."
Everyone in the room became silent as the one phrase sliced through everything.
Scene 3: The Intervention of Kael
When Kael entered the room, everyone's attention was immediately drawn to him. I felt the weight of his stare like a tangible force as his golden eyes traveled over the room before settling on me.
Malrick bowed slightly and said, "Alpha Dravenwood." "This issue is internal."
"And yet here I am," Kael broke off, his tone composed but authoritative. "Is this how you always handle your own?"
Malrick became agitated. Aria isn't your typical pack member. Her behaviors demonstrate that she is the daughter of traitors.
"Are not yet proven," Kael concluded, squinting his eyes. "You charge her without supporting proof. Is this how justice is administered in Crimsonhowl?
The room echoed with a whisper. Stunned, I gazed at Kael. He was protecting me, but why?
Malrick paused. "This is not your concern, Alpha Dravenwood, with all due respect."
Kael stepped forward, his body exuding silent might. "I am concerned about anything that occurs in Silverveil. Or have you lost sight of my purpose for being here?
The elder started to protest but stopped when he saw Kael's unblinking gaze.
"Give her up," Kael commanded.
I scurried to my feet, wiping dirt off my knees as the guards retreated.
Kael's eyes shifted to mine, and we briefly made eye contact. Raw and indisputable, the same electric tug from before erupted between us.
His jaw tightened as if he were resisting the deep, possessive growl of his wolf.
With a sudden, icy tone, he replied, "Prove your loyalty." "You say you're innocent, but words don't really mean anything. Don't waste my time, or prove your value to them.
I was about to reply when he turned and left, his footsteps resonating in the strained quiet.
My thoughts was racing and my pulse was pounding as I stood there. Despite the harshness of Kael's comments, there was something behind them that seemed challenging.
As I gazed at where Kael had been standing, the elders started muttering once again, their voices droning into the distance.
A hush of realization arose from deep inside. Kael was something more than the Phantom Alpha. And I was afraid of that thing.