Chapter 4

Chapter 4: The Blood Trial

"Let me go!"

Aria struggled, trying to break free from Kael’s iron grip, but it was useless. His fingers clamped around her wrist like steel, as if he enjoyed her helplessness.

"The more you move, the more it’ll hurt, human," Kael whispered mockingly in her ear.

Aria gritted her teeth, but before she could fight back, a deep growl echoed from the distance.

She turned her head.

From the far end of the hidden settlement, a tall man emerged. His golden eyes pierced through the night air, his muscular frame cloaked in a black robe with a silver emblem on his chest.

Every werewolf around them immediately dropped to their knees.

Aria held her breath.

That man had to be the Alpha.

Lorian, who had been walking silently, finally lifted his head. His eyes met the Alpha’s—filled with restrained fury.

"Father."

Aria’s breath hitched.

Kael smirked. "It’s been a long time since you two last met, hasn’t it?"

The Alpha stepped forward, his every movement slow yet powerful, pressing down on the atmosphere like an unrelenting force.

"Lorian," his voice was low but sharp as a blade. "I didn’t expect you to return. Especially with a human."

Tension crackled in the air.

Lorian met his father’s gaze without flinching. "I had no choice."

The Alpha stopped just before them, scrutinizing Lorian with an unreadable expression. "Choice?" His eyes narrowed. "You threw away your choice years ago when you abandoned this pack."

"I left because I refused to be part of the massacre you carried out." Lorian clenched his jaw, his hands curling into fists.

The Alpha stiffened.

The werewolves kneeling nearby shifted uneasily.

Aria stared at Lorian, her mind racing. Massacre? What was he talking about?

Kael chuckled. "Lorian is still the same as ever, always siding with the weak."

The Alpha turned his gaze to Aria, looking at her as if she were nothing more than filth beneath his feet. "Why did you bring a human onto our sacred land?"

Lorian growled. "Don’t touch her."

Aria’s pulse pounded in her ears.

The Alpha raised an eyebrow. "Interesting."

He stepped closer, his golden eyes locking onto Aria’s. A chill ran down her spine as if he could see right through her, peeling apart her thoughts one by one.

"Humans do not belong here."

Aria bit her lip but refused to look away.

"She’s innocent," Lorian said firmly.

The Alpha turned back to his son, something flickering in his gaze—disappointment or perhaps a quiet, simmering rage.

"You love her?"

Silence.

Aria’s breath caught.

Kael chuckled darkly. "This just got even more entertaining."

Lorian said nothing.

But his silence was louder than words.

The Alpha scoffed. "This is an insult."

He waved his hand, and in an instant, two massive werewolves stepped forward, seizing Lorian’s arms roughly.

"What are you doing?!" Aria shouted, trying to reach him, but Kael held her back.

The Alpha looked at his son without an ounce of warmth. "You will stand trial before the pack. If found guilty, you will die."

---

The Trial Arena

Roars and howls filled the air. Aria stood amidst a sea of werewolves circling a stone arena.

Lorian stood in the center, his hands and feet bound by silver chains.

The Alpha sat atop a stone throne at the edge of the arena, his golden eyes locked onto his son with chilling indifference.

Aria wanted to run to him, to stop this madness, but two massive werewolves flanked her, ensuring she couldn’t move.

"Lorian," the Alpha’s voice thundered through the arena. "You abandoned the pack, turned against your own blood, and now you return with a human by your side. You have broken our laws."

The crowd erupted.

"TRAITOR!"

"KILL HIM!"

Aria clenched her fists.

The Alpha rose from his throne. "I gave you a chance, my son."

Lorian met his father’s gaze with pure hatred. "A chance to become like you? No."

The Alpha raised a hand, and instantly, the entire arena fell silent.

"If you wish to live," he said slowly, his voice laced with menace, "prove your loyalty."

Lorian lifted his head. "And how would I do that?"

The Alpha smirked coldly, then turned his gaze toward Aria.

Her heart stopped.

"Kill her."

Silence.

Ice flooded through Aria’s veins.

Lorian’s eyes widened. "What?"

The Alpha’s smirk didn’t waver. "Prove that you are no traitor. Kill the human."

Aria felt her knees weaken.

But she couldn’t look away. She couldn’t show fear.

Lorian looked at her. Then back at his father.

The Alpha waited.

Kael sneered. "Look at him hesitate. I bet he’s actually in love with this human."

Lorian clenched his fists.

And in an instant, he made his choice.

With a surge of strength, he yanked on the silver chains—pulling with such force that they snapped apart. The sharp crack of breaking metal echoed through the arena.

Before anyone could react, Lorian lunged at the Alpha, his eyes blazing gold, claws extending.

The Alpha growled, but he was too slow.

Lorian crashed into him with full force, knocking him backward.

Chaos erupted.

Werewolves stormed the arena, lunging at Lorian.

But he was faster. He struck them down one by one, slashing their chests, sending them crashing to the ground.

Aria stood frozen, watching in disbelief.

Kael snarled and rushed toward her. "You should have died, human!"

Aria had no time to react.

Kael lunged—

But suddenly, a hand grabbed her and yanked her back.

Aria gasped.

Lorian stood beside her, his breath ragged, blood trickling down his arm.

"We have to go."

"But—"

Lorian’s eyes burned into hers. "Trust me."

Aria swallowed hard, then nodded.

They turned and ran, sprinting toward the only exit from the arena.

Behind them, the Alpha rose, his golden eyes burning with fury.

"RUN AS FAR AS YOU CAN, LORIAN! I WILL FIND YOU!"

Lorian didn’t look back.

And as they broke free from the chaos, Aria knew one thing for certain.