Chapter 7

Kiara leaned closer to the big wooden door, her heart pounding hard. She was curious, but she was also scared. The voices inside the room were low, almost whispers, but she could hear them clearly with her sharp werewolf ears.

She knew her father’s deep, strong voice. General Steve’s rough voice mixed with his, both of them speaking seriously. They were talking about something important.

Kiara held her breath and listened harder.

They were planning to attack a pack.

Her stomach tightened. As she focused more, their words became clearer. It didn’t take long for her to realize something shocking—they were going to destroy the very same pack she and her brother, Melvin, had just escaped from. The pack she had risked everything to save him from.

Her father, the king, wanted to wipe them out.

Anger and shock filled her chest. How could he be so cruel? Did he not know what she had been through? Did he not care?

Her first thought was to run to the royal clinic and tell Melvin. But she stopped herself. Melvin was still weak from his injuries. He needed to rest. She couldn’t stress him out more when he was just beginning to heal.

With a heavy heart, Kiara turned and walked toward her chambers instead.

The soft candlelight inside her room made everything look warm and peaceful, but she didn’t feel calm at all. Worry twisted inside her like a tight knot. She had always found comfort in this room, but tonight, it did little to ease her troubled mind.

She needed to think.

She needed to relax.

Maybe a bath would help.

Kiara walked over to the large tub and turned on the faucet. The sound of running water filled the room. Slowly, she slipped off her gown, letting it fall to the floor, and stepped into the warm, fragrant water.

The heat wrapped around her body, soothing her tense muscles, but her mind refused to rest.

She kept thinking about the pack. About Melvin. About her father’s terrible plan.

The more she thought about it, the more worried she became.

She sighed and reached for her toothbrush, hoping the simple action would distract her. She brushed her teeth slowly, but her arms felt heavy. She was too exhausted. Too drained.

She needed help.

Kiara reached over and rang the small silver bell beside her. The gentle chime echoed through the room.

A few moments later, the door opened. Her maids entered, their faces calm and professional. They were always ready to assist her, no matter the time.

“Please bathe me,” she said softly. Her voice was weaker than usual.

The maids nodded. They stepped forward, untying her robe and guiding her deeper into the warm bath, their hands gentle and careful.

As they worked, Kiara closed her eyes. She thought about Melvin again, hoping he wouldn’t be upset that she hadn’t told him yet.

But she knew this was just the beginning.

The choices she made from now on would change everything.

The water rippled softly, just like the storm inside her heart.

Alpha Ariana’s eyes snapped open.

She was angry.

Throwing off her blankets, she sat up quickly, swinging her legs over the side of the bed. The room was dark, but she was already wide awake. Her mind raced with frustration.

She couldn’t sit still.

Without wasting a second, she jumped up and stormed out of her bedroom, her bare feet making soft sounds against the cold marble floor.

She needed to hit something.

She needed to train.

She pushed open the door to her private training room and stepped inside.

The punching bag hung in the dim light, waiting for her.

Without thinking, she wrapped her hands and got into position. Then, she started punching.

Again.

And again.

Harder.

Faster.

The bag swung back and forth, making the chains creak loudly. Sweat dripped down Ariana’s forehead, but she didn’t stop. She wouldn’t stop.

Then, the door creaked open.

Justin stood in the doorway, his eyes widening in surprise when he saw her. He hurried inside, his face filled with concern.

“Alpha Ariana, stop,” he said firmly. “You’ll hurt yourself if you keep pushing like this.”

She barely glanced at him. Her fists were still clenched.

“I can’t stop,” she said through gritted teeth. “I hate how I always run out of energy in the middle of a fight. It makes me feel weak.”

Justin sighed, but he smiled a little. He knew Ariana’s temper. He also knew she wouldn’t listen unless he made her see reason.

“You don’t need more anger,” he said. “You need better training. If you want to last longer in battle, you have to train smart.”

Ariana clenched her jaw. She hated feeling weak.