THE VOICE OF THE WOLF
Aria’s entire body froze.
The voice echoed clearly inside her mind.
Finally…
Her breath caught in her throat.
She looked around quickly, her eyes wide with panic.
But the forest path was empty except for the Alpha King standing beside her.
The night air was quiet, filled only with the distant sound of crickets and rustling leaves.
“Did you hear that?” she asked suddenly.
Her voice trembled.
The Alpha King studied her carefully.
“Hear what?”
Aria pressed a hand to her head.
“That voice,” she whispered. “Someone spoke.”
But the Alpha King slowly shook his head.
“There’s no one here.”
Aria’s heart began to race even faster.
I heard it… I know I did.
The heat inside her chest grew stronger again.
It pulsed through her body like waves of fire.
Her knees weakened.
The Alpha King immediately reached out, steadying her before she could fall.
“Easy,” he said quietly.
His arm wrapped firmly around her shoulders, holding her upright.
But the moment he touched her—
Another powerful pulse of energy surged through her.
Stronger than before.
Aria gasped.
Inside her mind, the voice returned.
Clearer this time.
You can hear me now.
Aria’s eyes widened.
She grabbed the Alpha King’s arm tightly.
“It’s happening again,” she said breathlessly.
“What is?”
“The voice.”
The Alpha King’s expression shifted.
Not with fear.
With realization.
“Your wolf,” he said calmly.
Aria shook her head quickly.
“No… no, that can’t be right.”
But deep inside her mind, the voice laughed softly.
A little slow, aren’t you?
Aria’s breath hitched.
“You’re… my wolf?” she whispered in disbelief.
Obviously.
The answer came with amused confidence.
Aria felt completely overwhelmed.
For years, she had believed she didn’t have a wolf.
That she was broken somehow.
Yet now…
There was a voice inside her head.
Alive.
Awake.
The Alpha King watched her closely.
He could see the emotions racing across her face.
Shock.
Confusion.
Fear.
But also something else.
Connection.
“What is she saying?” he asked quietly.
Aria blinked.
“You… believe me?”
“Of course.”
There was no hesitation in his answer.
Aria swallowed nervously.
“She says… she’s my wolf.”
The Alpha King nodded slowly, as if that confirmed something he had already suspected.
“And?”
Aria hesitated.
“She sounds… annoyed.”
The Alpha King actually chuckled softly.
“That’s normal.”
Aria blinked in surprise.
“Normal?”
“Wolves tend to be impatient,” he explained.
Inside her mind, the voice scoffed.
Impatient? I’ve been asleep for years.
Aria frowned slightly.
“She says she’s been asleep for years.”
The Alpha King’s golden eyes darkened thoughtfully.
“Yes,” he murmured.
“That makes sense.”
Aria looked up at him again.
“You knew this would happen?”
“I suspected,” he admitted.
“But even I didn’t expect it to happen this quickly.”
Aria tried to calm her breathing.
Everything felt overwhelming.
Having a wolf.
Leaving the pack.
The Alpha King claiming her as his mate.
It was too much to process at once.
Inside her mind, her wolf spoke again.
You’re panicking.
“I’m not panicking,” Aria muttered under her breath.
The Alpha King raised a brow.
“Talking to her again?”
Aria nodded slowly.
“She says I’m panicking.”
His lips twitched slightly.
“She’s probably right.”
Aria sighed.
Then suddenly—
Her wolf’s tone changed.
The playful edge disappeared.
Wait.
Aria stiffened.
“What?” she whispered inside her mind.
There was a brief silence.
Then the voice spoke again.
Lower.
Serious.
We’re not alone.
Aria’s heart skipped.
“What do you mean?”
Her wolf growled softly in her mind.
Something is watching us.
Before Aria could react—
A dark shape suddenly moved between the trees ahead of them.
The Alpha King’s posture instantly changed.
His entire body went still.
Predatory.
His golden eyes locked onto the shadows.
“Stay behind me,” he said quietly.
Aria stepped closer to him without thinking.
The forest around them had suddenly gone silent.
Too silent.
Then slowly…
A pair of glowing red eyes appeared in the darkness.