Before dawn, the entire fortress felt tense — like the mountain itself was holding its breath.
Aria barely slept. Every time she began to drift, her mark pulsed softly under her skin, reminding her the second phase of the awakening had begun… and wasn't finished.
By morning, she felt hollow. Tired. And afraid.
A knock sounded at her door.
Ronan.
He stepped inside without waiting for her to answer, eyes scanning her immediately.
"You didn't rest," he murmured.
Aria shook her head. "Could you?"
He didn't answer.
Ronan crossed the room and crouched in front of her. "Today won't be easy," he said. "But you won't face them alone."
Aria swallowed. "The council wants to isolate me."
Ronan's jaw tightened. "They won't."
"But they could force you—"
"No," Ronan interrupted, voice sharp. "I don't care what authority they think they have. They will not take you from me."
Her breath caught.
"Come," he said gently. "It's time."
Aria followed him through the fortress. Flames flickered along the walls, casting golden light over the stone. Wolves whispered as she passed.
"She's the Moonborn girl…"
"Is it true her mark is glowing again?"
"She's dangerous…"
"She's fate-touched…"
Aria kept her eyes down.
She could feel Ronan's anger through the bond — a low simmer, protective and fierce.
They reached the council chamber.
Ronan paused at the door, turned to her, and touched her wrist lightly.
"Stay close to me," he said softly. "No matter what they say."
Aria nodded.
Together, they stepped inside.
⸻
The Council Convenes
The chamber was large and circular, lit by torches and a massive hearth in the center. Twelve elders sat in a ring, their faces carved with age and judgment. Lyra stood near the center — not an elder, but clearly positioned to influence them.
The moment Aria entered, silence dropped like a heavy stone.
Then—
"Moonborn," an elder whispered.
"Prophecy," another murmured.
"Danger."
"Power."
Ronan's voice cut through them like steel.
"You summoned us," he said. "Speak."
The head elder, Elda Merin, rose slowly. Her silver hair fell in soft waves, and her eyes—though wise—held caution.
"Ronan Hale," she said, "Alpha King of Frostfall. We have gathered to discuss the safety of the pack. And the girl who now endangers it."
Aria flinched.
Ronan moved half a step in front of her. "Aria Hale is not a threat. She is under my protection."
Elda Merin nodded calmly. "And that is precisely the problem."
Ronan stiffened. "Explain."
"Her awakening is accelerating," the elder said. "Unpredictable. If she loses control, she could unleash power none of us can contain."
"That isn't her fault," Ronan growled.
"No," Lyra said sharply, stepping forward. "But it is our problem."
Aria felt her stomach twist.
"Last night," Lyra continued, "the runes in the Moonfire Hall reacted to her awakening. And the stranger — the other Moonborn — came because of her. Twice. Frostfall hasn't seen this level of danger in a century."
Ronan's voice dropped dangerously. "Don't twist the truth. She didn't call him."
"But he came," Lyra snapped. "For her."
Aria hugged herself.
Elda Merin raised a hand for silence. "We seek clarity, not conflict."
She turned to Aria with a steady gaze.
"Child," she said gently, "do you understand the power awakening within you?"
Aria swallowed. "No. Not yet."
"Do you believe you can control it?"
"…I don't know."
Murmurs rippled through the chamber.
Lyra stepped closer, seizing the moment. "She said it herself — she can't control it. She doesn't know what she is."
Ronan snapped, "Lyra."
"No," Lyra held firm. "This is the truth. And truth doesn't bend to your attachment."
Aria's heart clenched.
Elda Merin sighed. "Ronan, your emotions complicate this matter."
"I am the Alpha," Ronan growled. "My emotions protect my pack."
"Your emotions protect her," Lyra corrected.
Ronan's eyes flashed.
Aria felt the bond tug — a flicker of Ronan's anger, but also fear, and something softer hidden beneath.
She stepped forward before she could stop herself.
"Please," Aria said quietly. "I don't want to be a danger. I didn't choose any of this. But I'm trying."
Her voice cracked.
The room softened — slightly.
Elda Merin nodded with sympathy. "Child, we do not blame you for your nature. But we must act for the pack's safety."
Aria's pulse sped up. "What… exactly do you want to do?"
Lyra spoke first.
"We propose restricting your movement," she said. "A secure room. Limited contact. Until your awakening stabilizes."
Aria's breath caught. "That sounds like imprisonment."
Lyra didn't deny it.
Ronan stepped forward so suddenly the ground itself seemed to shift.
"She. Stays. With. Me."
Elda Merin frowned. "That presents risks."
"It presents protection," Ronan countered. "If her power spikes again, I can control it. No one else can."
Lyra scoffed. "You? Control? You can barely control yourself when she's near."
Ronan turned slowly, eyes glowing faintly. "Watch your words."
But Lyra didn't. "Tell us the truth, Ronan. Is this about the bond?"
Silence.
Aria's breath froze.
Ronan didn't answer.
He didn't deny it.
And that was answer enough.
The elders exchanged troubled looks.
Lyra's voice sharpened. "Your judgment is compromised. You cannot lead both the pack and a prophecy-bound girl."
Ronan's jaw tightened.
"Then I will choose," he said.
Aria's heart stopped.
Lyra's eyes widened. "Choose…?"
Ronan looked at Aria — directly, openly — and spoke with absolute certainty.
"I choose her."
Gasps erupted through the chamber.
Aria's knees went weak.
Lyra looked like she'd been struck. "You… what?!"
Ronan stood tall. "Aria stays with me. Her safety is my responsibility. And I will not abandon her to satisfy your fear."
"You would choose her over your pack?" Lyra demanded.
"No," Ronan said, voice calm but firm. "I choose what is right. And what is right is protecting someone fate put in our care — not locking her away."
Elda Merin whispered, "Ronan… be cautious. The bond is influencing you."
"Good," Ronan said. "Because the bond is wiser than all of you combined."
Aria stared at him, chest tightening painfully.
But before she could speak, pain shot through her wrist.
THROB—THROB.
Aria gasped, stumbling.
Ronan caught her immediately. "Aria!"
The mark flared alive —
Silver light burst across her skin, spiraling up her forearm like living flame.
The elders recoiled.
Wolves bared their teeth.
Lyra stepped back, wide-eyed.
The light intensified.
Aria cried out. "R—Ronan—!"
He pulled her against him, shielding her with his body. "Breathe, Aria. I'm here."
The light pulsed again — harder — and for a moment, Aria felt her consciousness slip.
When the glow finally faded, Aria sagged, trembling.
Ronan held her firmly. "Are you okay?"
She nodded weakly.
But the council stood in stunned silence.
Elda Merin whispered, "The second phase is progressing faster than expected."
Lyra's voice was thin. "She's unstable. She needs to be isolated."
"No," Ronan barked.
"She could destroy all of us!" Lyra snapped back.
Aria flinched.
Ronan growled low, pulling Aria closer. "If you try to take her, you will start the war you fear."
The elders murmured anxiously.
Finally, Elda Merin lifted her staff. "Enough. The council will retire to deliberate."
Lyra glared at Aria, eyes burning with jealousy, fear, and something darker.
But she said nothing.
The elders began to leave.
Ronan didn't wait.
He lifted Aria gently into his arms.
She gasped. "Ronan—I can walk—"
"You're shaking," he said. "And I'm not risking you collapsing."
Aria didn't argue. She leaned into him, exhausted, overwhelmed, her mark aching softly against his chest.
As he carried her out of the chamber, she whispered, "What if they decide to separate us?"
Ronan's voice was low and fierce.
"They won't."
"How do you know?"
He looked down at her, eyes blazing with something that made her breath catch.
"Because I won't allow it. Bond or no bond — Aria, I will fight the entire world before I let them take you."
Her heart thundered.
And deep beneath her skin, her mark pulsed again —
Not in fear.
In answer.