THE MESSENGER
The courtyard went silent.
Even the wind seemed to stop moving.
Aria felt the tension instantly.
Rowan’s eyes narrowed.
“You let him inside?”
The young warrior shook his head quickly.
“No. He’s waiting outside the outer gate.”
The Alpha King’s expression hardened.
“Good.”
Darius folded his arms.
“A messenger from the Blood Emperor… that’s bold.”
Kael stepped closer now, his voice cold.
“It could be a trap.”
Rowan snorted.
“Everything tonight has been a trap.”
Aria looked between them.
“Can someone explain why a crazy monster-maker is suddenly sending messages to me?”
No one answered immediately.
The Alpha King turned toward the gate.
“We’ll hear what he has to say.”
Rowan frowned.
“You’re serious?”
The Alpha King’s golden eyes flicked toward him.
“If the Blood Emperor wants to talk, I want to know why.”
Aria crossed her arms.
“And if it’s another monster waiting out there?”
The Alpha King looked at her.
“Then it won’t leave.”
That answer didn’t exactly comfort her.
But a few minutes later, they were walking toward the outer gate.
The fortress warriors stood alert along the walls, weapons ready.
The massive iron gate slowly creaked open.
Outside stood a single man.
He didn’t look like a warrior.
He wore dark traveling clothes and a long black coat.
His hands were raised calmly in the air.
He looked almost… bored.
When his eyes landed on Aria, a slow smile spread across his face.
“Well,” the man said casually.
“That didn’t take long.”
Rowan stepped forward immediately.
“Talk fast.”
The man’s gaze slid past him.
“I’m not here for you.”
His eyes returned to Aria.
“I’m here for her.”
Aria felt every warrior behind her tense.
The Alpha King stepped slightly in front of her.
The man chuckled.
“Relax, Your Majesty.”
He gave a small, mocking bow.
“I’m only the messenger.”
The Alpha King’s voice was cold.
“Speak.”
The man reached slowly into his coat.
Several warriors raised their weapons instantly.
“Easy,” he said with a sigh.
“I told you, I’m not here to fight.”
He pulled out a small sealed letter.
Black wax held the seal closed.
A strange symbol was pressed into the wax.
Aria felt her wolf stir uneasily.
That symbol feels wrong.
The messenger held the letter up.
“This is for the Shadow Bloodline.”
The Alpha King didn’t move.
“Read it.”
The man shook his head.
“Not my instructions.”
He looked directly at Aria.
“My master said she must open it herself.”
Rowan growled under his breath.
“Convenient.”
Aria stepped forward slightly.
The Alpha King’s arm blocked her path instantly.
“No.”
She looked at him.
“It’s just a letter.”
His golden eyes were sharp.
“It’s from a man who sends monsters.”
The messenger sighed dramatically.
“This is why delivering messages is exhausting.”
He took two steps forward and gently placed the letter on a stone near the gate.
Then he stepped back again.
“There.”
He raised his hands again.
“No tricks.”
Aria looked at the letter.
Her wolf’s instincts were screaming.
But curiosity burned stronger.
She slowly stepped around the Alpha King before he could stop her.
“Aria—”
She ignored him and picked up the letter.
The black wax seal felt strangely cold.
The strange symbol stared up at her.
Rowan frowned.
“You sure that’s a good idea?”
Aria broke the seal.
The wax cracked softly.
She unfolded the letter.
The paper inside was perfectly white.
Only a few lines were written on it.
Her eyes scanned the words.
Then her heart stopped.
“What does it say?” Rowan asked.
Aria didn’t answer.
Her hands slowly tightened around the paper.
The Alpha King stepped closer.
“Aria.”
She finally looked up at him.
Her face had gone pale.
“What does it say?” he repeated.
Her voice came out quiet.
“He says…”
She swallowed hard.
“…he’s been waiting for me to wake up.”
The messenger smiled slightly.
“And?”
Rowan frowned.
“And what?”
Aria looked back at the letter again.
Her voice trembled slightly now.
“He says…”
Her eyes lifted slowly.
“…I belong to him.”