Chapter 3

Chapter 3: The Secret Behind the Fangs

The sound of pounding footsteps chased after her. Aria ran as fast as she could, her breath ragged, her body trembling with fear. Sharp branches whipped against her skin, but she had no time to feel the pain.

Behind her, a terrifying roar echoed, followed by the snap of breaking branches and the scrape of claws against the ground.

"Lorian!" she screamed in panic.

But she couldn't stop.

If she stopped, she would die.

Then, without warning, a rough hand grabbed her wrist. Aria gasped as she was yanked backward with brutal force.

"Do we have another prey tonight?" a deep voice rumbled in her ear.

Aria turned, her eyes widening in horror.

Another werewolf stood before her. His body was leaner compared to the massive beast battling Lorian, but his glowing eyes burned with a cruel cunning that was far more terrifying.

"Please… let me go!" Aria struggled, trying to break free, but the man's grip was too strong.

"Not so fast, human." He grinned, baring sharp fangs. "I've never seen a fool dumb enough to enter our territory."

Aria swallowed hard. "I just wanted to help Lorian!"

The werewolf laughed. "Lorian?" He stepped closer, leaning in until his face was level with hers. "Don't tell me… you've fallen for that traitor?"

Aria froze, her body stiffening.

"Ah…" The werewolf's grin widened. "I was right, wasn't I? Pathetic."

"He's not a traitor!" Aria snapped, despite the fear pounding in her chest.

The werewolf scoffed. "You know nothing about him, human."

Before Aria could respond, another chilling roar came from where Lorian was fighting.

The sound was bone-deep.

Horrifying.

Aria turned, and what she saw made her blood freeze.

Lorian was on his knees, his body covered in wounds, blood dripping from gashes on his arms and chest. The massive werewolf loomed over him, claws digging into his shoulder.

"No!" Aria screamed.

Lorian lifted his head, his golden eyes dim with exhaustion.

"Should I just kill him now?" the werewolf holding Aria asked lazily, as if Lorian’s life was nothing but a game.

"Patience," the larger werewolf replied, still pinning Lorian down. "We'll take him back to the pack. Let the Alpha decide his fate."

Alpha?

Aria bit her lip. Did that mean there were even more werewolves? Stronger ones?

The werewolf restraining her yanked her forward. "You're coming too."

"Me?" Aria stiffened.

"Of course." He smirked, tilting his chin toward Lorian, who was still kneeling weakly. "See how he looks at you? You must be important to him. I wonder what the Alpha will do when he finds out the traitor has feelings for a human."

Aria turned to Lorian. His golden eyes locked onto hers, filled with fury and desperation.

"Don't take her," Lorian growled, trying to stand, but the massive werewolf struck his back hard, sending him crashing to the ground again.

"Lorian!" Aria tried to rush to him, but the werewolf restraining her tightened his grip.

"You're in no position to bargain, Lorian," the larger werewolf said coldly. "Both of you are coming with us. If you resist…" He dug his claws deeper into Lorian’s shoulder, making him groan in pain.

Aria bit her lip.

They had no choice.

They had lost.

---

The Journey to the Forbidden Territory

They were dragged deeper into the forest, into an unfamiliar and eerie path. The trees grew denser, the air colder, and an unsettling silence settled around them.

Aria stole a glance at Lorian, who staggered beside her. His face was tense, his jaw clenched, his eyes burning with suppressed rage.

"Lorian…" she whispered.

He didn’t look at her.

"What did they mean by traitor?" she asked carefully.

Lorian remained silent, but the werewolf holding her laughed. "You really know nothing about him, do you?"

Aria bit her lip. "I just want to know the truth."

The werewolf scoffed. "Fine. I’ll tell you a little."

He stopped walking and turned to Aria with a sly smile.

"Lorian was the previous Alpha's son. The rightful heir. He was supposed to lead our pack."

Aria’s breath caught. She turned to Lorian, but he remained silent, his gaze fixed on the ground, his jaw tight.

"But he made a terrible mistake," the werewolf continued. "He rejected his destiny. He abandoned the pack. And worse… he protected humans."

Aria’s eyes widened.

"That’s why he’s considered a traitor. And that’s why he must be punished."

Lorian finally spoke, his voice low and filled with fury. "You don’t know anything, Kael."

The werewolf—Kael—laughed. "Oh, I know everything, Prince of Betrayal."

A shiver ran down Aria’s spine.

An heir? A traitor?

What had really happened between them?

And more importantly…

What would the pack do to them?

They walked for hours until they finally reached a massive rock crevice. Beyond it, Aria saw something that made her breath hitch.

A hidden settlement.

Wooden houses were nestled among the trees, and glowing eyes watched them from every corner.

Werewolves.

Not just a few. But many.

This wasn’t just a pack.

This was a hidden kingdom.

And they had just dragged Lorian and Aria straight into the heart of the enemy’s den.

A cold dread settled over her.

They were trapped.

And she had no idea if they would make it out alive.