Chapter 3

ARIA

"Push it, Aria. Come on, I know you've got more in the tank." My adoptive brother Lucas called out with that drill-sergeant tone he always used during training.

Determined to prove him right, I hammered the leather punching bag harder, throwing in a complicated series of kicks and strikes. When I glanced back at him, I caught his slight nod of approval.

"Much better. Take five." I walked over and collapsed next to the other young warriors in training.

Friday meant testing day with Lucas. Today we're doing strength demos, but sometimes it's sparring. My adoptive brother's a great teacher—he was trained by Gabriel, just like me.

Dad Gabriel is one of our pack's best fighters. He believes everyone—wolf or human—needs to defend themselves in this dangerous world. I've had his training since I was tiny, before joining the formal program.

Many think Gabriel should've become Head Warrior, but Alpha picked his buddy instead. Dad never complained though. After hunters killed my birth parents, Gabriel rescued me despite me being human.

Alpha Warren showed up today to watch us train. Lately, he makes me super uncomfortable—always staring and winking at me suggestively.

Pack gossip claims he's gone unstable since losing his mate. They say he calls young females to his quarters, and some don't survive. Many think Dylan should take over, but Alpha refuses, saying he's not ready.

Dylan seemed decent enough. Though I hadn't interacted with him much, he appeared fair and friendly to everyone in the pack. He was already 22 years old but still hadn't found his true mate.

I sat there, lost in my thoughts, when suddenly a massive shadow loomed over me. Looking up, I found Alpha Warren staring down at me before settling himself beside me.

"You're quite the skilled warrior, Aria, despite being human," he said, making no effort to hide the way his eyes raked over my body.

"Thank you, Alpha," I answered, trying my best to hide how uncomfortable I felt, which wasn't easy considering I was only wearing training shorts and a sports bra.

"And quite beautiful too." His eyes traveled over me again, making my skin crawl and leaving me wishing I could just disappear.

Before I could respond, Lucas approached, respectfully greeted the Alpha, then told me training was wrapped up for the day. I jumped to my feet, beyond grateful for the escape route, and after a quick goodbye, I bolted from the training grounds.

I entered our small cabin and went straight to my room, peeling off my sweat-soaked training clothes before heading into the bathroom for a shower. After cleaning up, I slipped into high-waisted forest-green suede pants and a trendy off-shoulder cream-colored linen top. I rarely used makeup, but tonight I applied a popular rose lipstick and a touch of highlighter, completing the look with gold hoop earrings and a layered necklace.

Tonight's the big celebration for a girl in our pack who's finally coming of age. Everyone's pumped to watch her first shift and see if she finds her true mate. Finding your true mate is huge for werewolves—they're literally the other half of your soul.

As a human, I would never have a wolf spirit, never have the ability to shift, and never have a true mate. That was the biggest difference between me and the werewolf family that had adopted me. Sometimes, I felt lonely because of it.

At dinner time, I went downstairs to eat with Gabriel and Lucas. But unlike our usual pleasant conversations, tonight's atmosphere was quiet and tense. I didn't ask why, guessing that Gabriel must have had a stressful day.

"Aria?"

"Yeah, Gabriel?" I looked up at him.

"I need you to pack a bag tomorrow.We're heading to the Moon Shadow Pack to visit some old friends of mine."

"What's happening?" I asked.

"You'll find out later. Just do it," Gabriel said.

"Okay, Gabriel. I'll pack tomorrow." I replied, and he gave me the smallest hint of a relieved smile.

After finishing dinner, I helped clear the dishes, then hugged Gabriel before preparing to head to the ceremony. Lucas accompanied me, since there was always the chance that tonight's newly-shifted female wolf might be his true mate. He'd grown increasingly eager to find her as soon as possible.

After an hour at the ceremony, we watched an eighteen-year-old girl find her true mate among the newly shifted boys. Their souls recognized each other instantly, and they embraced lovingly.

I stood at the edge, watching the new couple dance, completely lost in each other's eyes. A familiar ache filled my chest—not jealousy, but longing for something I could never have.

As a human among werewolves, I'd accepted my differences long ago. But in moments like these, the reality of my situation felt heavier. I would never experience that instant recognition, that soul-deep connection that werewolves shared with their true mates.

"They look happy, don't they?" a deep voice said beside me.

I turned to find Dylan standing there, his tall frame casting a shadow in the moonlight. Unlike his father, his presence didn't make me uncomfortable—quite the opposite. There was something calming about him.

"They do," I agreed, turning back to watch the couple. "It must be amazing to find your other half like that."

Dylan was quiet for a moment before he spoke again. "Aria, could we talk somewhere more private?"

Curious, I nodded and followed him to a quieter spot near the edge of the clearing, still within sight of the celebration but away from prying ears.

"I've wanted to talk to you for a while now," he said, his voice softer than I'd ever heard it. "But the timing never seemed right."

Something in his expression made my heart beat faster. "What about?"

Dylan took a deep breath. "I know this might seem sudden, but I've been watching you in silence for months now. The way you train, how you care for others in the pack despite being human yourself, your strength..." He paused, his eyes meeting mine. "I've developed feelings for you, Aria. Strong ones. I'm afraid if I don't tell you now, I might never get another chance."

I stared at him, completely caught off guard. The Alpha's son had feelings for me? A human?

"I know I don't have the right to ask anything of you," he continued when I didn't respond. "Especially with everything that's happening. But I needed you to know before you leave."

My mind raced, trying to process his words. Dylan was handsome, kind, and respected—everything a wolf could want in a mate. But that was just it. I wasn't a wolf.

"Dylan, I..." I started, trying to find the right words. "I'm honored, truly. But I can only see you as family, as another brother. You deserve someone who can be your true mate, someone who can share in all aspects of pack life with you."

His expression fell slightly, but he nodded in understanding. "I respect your honesty. And your decision."

"You've always been kind to me," I added softly. "Any she-wolf would be lucky to have you as her mate."

A sad smile crossed his face. "Perhaps. But finding a true mate isn't as simple as choosing someone suitable."

We stood in silence for a moment, the sounds of celebration continuing behind us. Finally, Dylan spoke again, his voice taking on a more urgent tone.

"Aria, about your trip to Moon Shadow Pack—"

"You know about that?" I interrupted, surprised.

"Yes, and it's important that you go. It's not safe for you here anymore." His eyes darted around, checking if anyone was listening. "When you get there, don't come back. Especially you."

"What? Why?"