THE JOURNEY BEGINS
The first light of dawn stretched across the sky.
The fortress was already awake.
Warriors moved through the courtyard, preparing weapons and supplies. Horses were saddled. Armor clinked softly as soldiers tightened straps and adjusted blades.
Aria stood near the stone balcony overlooking the courtyard.
Her arms were folded.
Her mind wasn’t calm.
Behind her, Rowan leaned against the wall, watching the preparations.
“Big day,” he said casually.
Aria didn’t turn.
“You’re unusually relaxed for someone about to walk into a death trap.”
Rowan shrugged.
“I cope with danger using sarcasm.”
She sighed.
“That explains a lot.”
Footsteps approached.
Lucian joined them, resting his arms on the balcony rail.
“The warriors are ready.”
Rowan glanced at him.
“Define ready.”
Lucian smirked.
“Ready enough.”
Aria looked down at the courtyard again.
Nearly thirty elite warriors were preparing to leave.
At the center of them all stood the Alpha King.
Even from above, his presence was impossible to ignore.
Warriors naturally made space around him.
Power radiated from him like heat from fire.
Aria’s wolf stirred quietly.
Rowan noticed her staring.
“You keep doing that.”
“Doing what?”
“Watching him.”
Aria rolled her eyes.
“He’s the leader of this mission.”
Lucian spoke calmly.
“And your mate.”
She stiffened.
“We’re not talking about that.”
Lucian didn’t argue.
“Alright.”
A moment of silence passed.
Then Rowan suddenly spoke again.
“So… about your father.”
Aria’s expression hardened immediately.
“I don’t trust him.”
Lucian nodded.
“That’s wise.”
Rowan added,
“But he might still be telling the truth.”
Aria finally turned around.
“Even if he is… he disappeared for twenty years.”
Lucian studied her.
“You’re angry.”
“Yes.”
“And confused.”
She hesitated.
“…Yes.”
Before anyone could say more, the large fortress doors opened behind them.
The Alpha King stepped onto the balcony.
His golden eyes moved between them.
“We leave now.”
Rowan straightened.
“Right on schedule.”
Lucian pushed away from the railing.
Aria looked at the King.
“Where exactly are we going?”
“The northern mountains.”
He paused briefly.
“Black Hollow.”
Rowan sighed dramatically.
“Still sounds like a terrible vacation spot.”
The Alpha King ignored the comment.
“Lucian will lead the scouting team.”
Lucian nodded.
“Understood.”
“Rowan will command the rear guard.”
Rowan saluted lazily.
“My favorite job.”
The Alpha King’s gaze moved to Aria.
“You’ll stay close to me.”
Her eyebrows lifted.
“Was that an order?”
“Yes.”
She stared at him for a moment.
Then she sighed.
“Fine.”
He turned toward the stairs.
“Let’s move.”
Minutes later, the fortress gates opened.
The warriors rode out together.
Cold morning air rushed past them as they left the safety of the fortress behind.
Aria rode beside the Alpha King.
Neither of them spoke for a while.
The forest path stretched ahead, quiet and shadowed.
Lucian’s scouting team moved ahead of the group, disappearing between the trees.
Rowan and several warriors guarded the back.
Aria glanced toward the King.
“You seem calm.”
“I am.”
“You’re walking into the Blood Emperor’s territory.”
“Yes.”
She frowned.
“You don’t think this could be a trap?”
He looked at her.
“It definitely is.”
That answer didn’t make her feel better.
“Then why go?”
His voice remained steady.
“Because if we don’t stop him now, he will come for you later.”
Aria looked away.
The forest around them grew thicker as they moved deeper into the mountains.
Hours passed.
The path became rougher.
The air colder.
By midday, Lucian suddenly reappeared from the trees ahead.
His expression was serious.
Rowan rode forward.
“That was fast.”
Lucian looked at the Alpha King.
“We have a problem.”
The King didn’t slow his horse.
“What kind of problem?”
Lucian’s blue eyes darkened.
“There are bodies ahead.”
Aria’s stomach tightened.
“Bodies?”
Lucian nodded.
“A lot of them.”
Rowan frowned.
“Blood Emperor’s monsters?”
Lucian shook his head slowly.
“That’s the strange part.”
Everyone waited for him to continue.
Lucian’s voice lowered.
“They’re wolves.”
Silence spread through the group.
The Alpha King spoke.
“From which pack?”
Lucian answered quietly.
“Yours.”