Aria's POV
The northern border was nothing like I'd imagined. It wasn't just the towering trees or the thick fog that clung to the ground—it was the weight in the air, heavy with tension and anticipation. The warriors moved in calculated silence, their footsteps soft but purposeful as they spread out in a protective formation.
I stayed close to Lucas, his presence a grounding force in the chaos swirling around us. Despite everything I'd learned about him—about us—I couldn't ignore the way my heart leaned toward him, even when my mind screamed at me to keep my distance.
"Are you sure you're ready for this?" Lucas asked, his voice low as we approached the front line.
"I don't think ready is the right word," I admitted. "But I'm not running, if that's what you're asking."
His gaze softened, just for a moment. "Good. Because once this starts, there's no turning back."
The gravity of his words settled over me like a shroud. I nodded, gripping the small dagger Eleanor had handed me earlier. It felt foreign in my hand, but the weight of it was oddly comforting.
Lucas turned to Eleanor, who was coordinating the warriors. "Are they in position?"
She nodded, her expression grim. "All exits are covered. If Finn tries to retreat, we'll block him in."
Lucas's jaw tightened, and his attention shifted back to me. "Stay close to Eleanor. She'll keep you safe."
I frowned, the instinct to argue bubbling to the surface. "I can fight, Lucas. I'm not helpless."
"I know you're not," he said, his tone firm but not unkind. "But this isn't about bravery. It's about survival. Let me handle Finn."
Before I could respond, a low growl echoed through the trees, sending a chill down my spine. The rogues were close.
Eleanor placed a hand on my shoulder, her grip steady. "Stay sharp. They'll come at us fast."
I nodded, my fingers tightening around the dagger as my heart thundered in my chest.
The attack came without warning.
One moment, the forest was eerily quiet. The next, shadows burst from the trees, snarling and snapping as they charged. The warriors moved as one, meeting the rogues head-on with the precision of a well-oiled machine.
I was shoved back, Eleanor's arm blocking my path as she stepped forward to intercept a rogue that lunged at us. Her blade flashed in the dim light, cutting through the air with lethal efficiency.
"Stay behind me!" she barked, her voice sharp.
I wanted to protest, but the chaos around us left no room for argument. Another rogue darted toward us, its teeth bared, and I barely had time to react. I raised the dagger, bracing for impact, but Lucas appeared out of nowhere, his wolf tearing into the attacker with a ferocity that made me freeze.
His eyes, glowing with the intensity of his wolf, locked onto mine. Stay safe. The unspoken command rippled through me before he turned and disappeared into the fray.
The battlefield was a blur of movement and sound—growls, screams, the clash of metal against bone. I moved as Eleanor directed, staying close but ready to defend myself if needed.
But something felt wrong.
It wasn't just the overwhelming number of rogues or the chaos around me—it was the air itself. It carried a strange charge, like the moments before a lightning storm.
And then I saw him.
Finn.
He emerged from the shadows, his presence commanding and suffocating all at once. He moved with a confidence that made my stomach churn, his eyes locked on me like a predator sizing up its prey.
"Aria," he called, his voice cutting through the noise like a blade.
Eleanor stiffened beside me, her grip tightening on her weapon. "Stay back," she warned.
But Finn ignored her, his focus solely on me. "Come now, love. Is this any way to greet an old friend?"
My blood ran cold. I didn't know him—not really—but something about the way he said my name sent a shiver down my spine.
"You're not my friend," I said, forcing my voice to remain steady.
Finn smirked, his expression darkly amused. "Oh, I suppose not. But we're connected, you and I. More than you realize."
Eleanor stepped in front of me, her stance protective. "You're not getting anywhere near her."
Finn tilted his head, his smirk widening. "And what are you going to do to stop me?"
Before Eleanor could respond, Finn moved. He was fast—too fast. In an instant, he had her pinned against a tree, her blade clattering to the ground.
"Eleanor!" I shouted, panic rising in my chest.
Finn's eyes flicked to me, his grip on Eleanor tightening. "Don't worry, love. I'm not here for her."
I didn't think—I just acted. I lunged forward, raising the dagger with trembling hands. Finn turned to face me, his expression shifting to one of surprise, then delight.
"Bold," he said, his voice laced with mock admiration. "But foolish."
He caught my wrist before I could strike, his strength overwhelming. The dagger fell from my grasp, landing in the dirt between us.
"Let her go!" I screamed, struggling against his hold.
Finn leaned closer, his breath brushing against my ear. "I'll let her go. But only because you asked so nicely."
True to his word, he released Eleanor, who crumpled to the ground, gasping for air. But before I could move to help her, Finn's grip on me tightened, pulling me closer.
"You feel it, don't you?" he murmured, his eyes searching mine. "The power inside you. It's calling to me."
I shook my head, fear and confusion warring within me. "I don't know what you're talking about."
Finn chuckled darkly. "Oh, but you will. Soon enough."
A low growl erupted behind us, and suddenly Lucas was there, his wolf barreling into Finn with a force that knocked us both to the ground.
"Run!" Lucas roared, his voice rough with the command of his wolf.
But I didn't run.
I couldn't.
Because as I stared at Fin
n, sprawled in the dirt with a sinister smile on his face, I knew this wasn't over. Not even close.