Chapter 12
Aria’s POV.
The morning air was crisp, biting at my skin as I stood in my room, my hands trembling over the leather straps of my luggage.
Today was the day we’d leave Shadow Claw for the Fang Pack, the trip for recognition Alpha Kael had announced.
My heart raced, a mix of fear and hope swirling in my chest. This was my chance to make Kael fall for me, to bind him so tightly to my heart that when the truth came out—that I was Aria, not Celeste—he’d choose me anyway.
But the weight of the lie pressed heavy, like a stone in my gut. One wrong move, and everything could crumble.
I reached for my bag, my fingers brushing the rough leather, when the door swung open with a creak.
I froze, my breath catching as a stranger strode in. He was tall, his broad shoulders filling the doorway, his dark hair falling in soft waves over warm brown eyes.
His smile was easy, almost too friendly, and my guard went up, my wolf stirring warily. "Who are you?" I asked, my voice sharper than I meant, my hand tightening on the bag.
He bowed, a graceful dip that felt oddly sincere. "Luna Celeste," he said, his tone light but respectful.
"My apologies if I haven’t introduced myself yet. I’m Beta Brian, just resumed duty after a week away. I’m sorry I missed your coronation ceremony." His smile widened, crinkling the corners of his eyes, and something in my chest loosened.
He seemed... kind. Not like the cold, calculating wolves I was used to.