Aria's POV
She knew I was there.
Kade's arms tightened around me. We sat on my bed, dawn light creeping through the window. I'd been shaking for the past hour.
The witch Morgana, I said. In the memory, she looked right at the closet where I was hiding. She knew. But she didn't kill me.
Kade's jaw clenched. Then she wanted you alive for a reason.
What reason?
I don't know. But we're going to find out. He pulled back to look at me. Four days until the summit. Four days to make you strong enough that no one not Marcus, not Morgana, not anyone can touch you.
I don't know if I can
You can. His hand cupped my face. I'll make sure of it.
DAY ONE
The training clearing became my whole world.
Close your eyes, Kade instructed. Find your Lycan inside you.
I reached inward, searching. There that wild presence. Waiting. Angry at being caged for so long.
I need you, I called to her.
The shift hurt less this time. My bones cracked and reshaped, but I understood the pain now. Welcomed it, even.
When I opened my silver eyes, the world blazed with clarity.
Kade had shifted into his massive black wolf. Better, his voice said in my mind through the mate bond. Now, let's teach you to move.
For hours, he guided me. How to run on four legs instead of two. How to use my enhanced senses. How to feel the power coiled in my muscles.
By evening, I was exhausted but triumphant.
You're a natural, Kade said after we shifted back.
I collapsed against a tree, breathing hard. I feel like I've been hit by a truck.
He smiled actually smiled. It transformed his whole face. That's normal. Rest tonight. We start combat training tomorrow.
DAY TWO
Kade came at me fast.
I barely blocked his punch. Too slow, he said, sweeping my legs.
I hit the ground hard.
Again.
I stood and attacked. He dodged easily, grabbed my wrist, spun me around. His chest pressed against my back, his arm around my waist.
Your stance is wrong, he murmured near my ear. His hand guided my hip into position. Like this.
The mate bond hummed between us. I could feel his heart racing, matching mine.
He released me quickly. Try again.
We sparred for hours. By the end, I'd actually landed a hitjust oneand Kade looked proud.
That night, we sat by a fire outside the packhouse. Felix had brought food and wisely left us alone.
Why do you do this? I asked. Risk war with Marcus for someone you just met?
Kade stared into the flames. When I was sixteen, rogues attacked our pack. They killed my parents before I could stop them. His voice was hollow. I became Alpha overnight. Broken. Angry. My uncle saw weakness and tried to take the pack by force.
What happened?
I executed him. Kade's hands clenched. My own blood. I had to kill him to save my pack. After that, I swore I'd never let anyone close enough to hurt me again.
And now?
He looked at me, amber eyes reflecting firelight. Now I've met someone worth breaking that vow for.
My breath caught.
The mate bond isn't just about attraction, Aria. It's about finding the one person who makes you want to be better. Braver. Stronger. He reached across the space between us. You make me want to be all those things.
I took his hand. The spark was immediate, electric.
For the first time in days, I let myself believe that maybe just maybe I could trust this.
DAY THREE
Again, Kade commanded.
I shifted from human to Lycan, then back to human. The pain was barely a whisper now. My body was learning.
Faster, Kade pushed.
Shift. Human. Lycan. Human. Lycan.
By afternoon, I could do it in seconds.
Felix appeared with lunch. The pack's talking about you, he said with a grin.
Good things or bad things?
Awed things. A Lycan hasn't walked these lands in over a century. They're calling you the Silver Queen.
Heat flushed my cheeks. I'm not a queen.
Not yet, Kade said. But you will be.
That evening, pack members started approaching me. Respectful. Curious. A young girl even asked if she could touch my hand, like I was something magical.
For the first time in my life, people saw me.
Really saw me.
It felt... good.
DAY FOUR
The Council of Alphas, Kade said, spreading a map on the table. Ten of the most powerful packs in North America. They'll all be at the summit.
He pointed to different territories. Alpha Donovan is the eldest he leads the Council. He's fair but traditional. Then there's Alpha Chen, Alpha Volkov, Alpha Santiago... He listed them all.
And Marcus, I said quietly.
And Marcus. Kade's expression hardened. He'll demand you be returned to Crimson Moon Pack. He'll claim you're his ward, his responsibility.
What do I say?
The truth. That he murdered your parents and suppressed your Lycan abilities. That you're the rightful heir to Crimson Moon, not him.
Will they believe me?
They will when you shift in front of them. Kade's hand found mine. A Lycan's word carries more weight than any Alpha's. Don't let them intimidate you. You outrank every wolf in that room.
That evening, Kade brought me a dress. Not a servant's dressa real dress, deep blue like midnight, elegant and beautiful.
For tomorrow, he said. You're not a servant anymore, Aria. You're a queen. Dress like one.
Tears pricked my eyes. I don't know how to be a queen.
Then I'll teach you. He stepped closer. Just like I taught you to fight. To shift. To stand tall.
Kade
He kissed me.
It was gentle at first, questioning. Then I kissed him back and it turned passionate. Desperate. His hands tangled in my hair. Mine gripped his shoulders.
The mate bond sang between us, perfect and right and overwhelming.
When we finally broke apart, both breathing hard, Kade rested his forehead against mine.
Tomorrow, we face the Council, he said. But tonight, you're safe. Here. With me.
DAY FIVE: Summit Day
I woke before dawn, nerves jangling.
Today, I'd stand before the most powerful Alphas in North America. Today, I'd face Marcus again.
Today, everything could go wrong.
I dressed in the beautiful gown Kade had given me. When I looked in the mirror, I barely recognized myself. I looked... regal.
Ready? Kade appeared in my doorway, dressed in formal Alpha attire.
As I'll ever be.
We headed downstairs where Felix and a group of warriors waited. The convoy to the summit would leave within the hour.
I walked to the window for one last look at Shadow Fang territory this place that had become a refuge.
That's when I saw it.
A crow perched on a branch outside my window. Black feathers. But its eyes...
Its eyes glowed red.
I froze.
The crow tilted its head, looking directly at me. Then it opened its beak and spoke in a voice that wasn't a bird's voice at all.
Hello, little Lycan. Morgana sends her regards.
My blood turned to ice.
The crow's eyes flashed brighter. She's been waiting for you. All your life, she's been waiting. And soon, she'll have what she needs.
Aria? Kade called from across the room. What are you looking at?
I blinked and the crow was just a crow. Normal eyes. It cawed once and flew away.
Had I imagined it?
No. I could still hear that voice echoing in my mind. She's been waiting for you.
Nothing, I lied, turning from the window. Just nervous.
But as we loaded into cars and headed toward the summit, I couldn't shake the feeling of being watched.
Morgana knew where I was.
Morgana had been watching.
And whatever she wanted with me whatever reason she'd kept me alive all those years ago I was about to find out.
The convoy drove through the gates of Shadow Fang territory.
Behind us, perched on the gate post, a crow with glowing red eyes watched us leave.
And smiled.