CHAPTER FIVE- SECRETS IN THE SHADOW

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Chapter Five: Secrets in the Shadows

The wind howled through the trees that night, carrying a strange energy with it—a pulse that throbbed through the earth and found its way under Aria’s skin. She couldn't sleep. Not after what Kade had said.

You’re my mate.

The words haunted her, whispered through her thoughts like a chant she couldn’t silence. Every time she closed her eyes, she saw his golden gaze, felt the heat of his presence, remembered how his voice made her blood hum like an ancient song.

The bond.

What did it even mean? That her fate was tied to his? That her heart wasn’t her own anymore?

She didn’t even know him… and yet something inside her did.

Aria wrapped her blanket tighter around her shoulders as she sat curled on the old couch in front of the dying fire. The shadows flickered across the walls, dancing like they knew something she didn’t.

Her fingers brushed the spine of the book she’d brought home from the library. The Crescent Ridge Chronicles. She’d read more of it that afternoon, desperate for answers.

“The bond between a wolf and his mate is unbreakable. It transcends time, race, and even mortality. When the connection is formed, their souls begin to align. The wolf becomes fiercely protective. Possessive. The mate, in return, feels drawn to the wolf—body, mind, and spirit.”

Aria shivered. That explained the heat in her veins. The ache that had bloomed low in her belly since she met Kade’s eyes.

But there were other parts that troubled her more.

“A human mate is forbidden in most packs. Her vulnerability is seen as a liability, her humanity a threat to secrecy. Wolves who defy this law risk exile—or worse.”

So he’s putting himself in danger just by coming near me.

She looked toward the window. The woods beyond seemed darker than usual. More alive.

Just then, a soft sound echoed outside. Not the wind. Not an animal.

Footsteps.

Slow. Measured.

Her heart stopped.

Then a knock.

Once.

Twice.

Three times.

She stood slowly, heart thudding in her chest as she moved toward the door. Her fingers hovered over the knob.

“Who is it?”

No answer.

But this time, she felt it.

That familiar pull.

The fire in her blood.

She opened the door.

Kade stood there, his black hoodie soaked with rain, hair plastered to his forehead, eyes glowing softly under the moonlight.

“I shouldn't be here,” he said hoarsely. “But I couldn’t stay away.”

Her chest rose and fell rapidly. “You came back.”

He stepped in slowly, dripping water onto the wooden floor. His gaze swept over her—bare feet, loose sweater, flushed cheeks.

“I can’t keep my distance from you,” he murmured. “Every second away from you feels like a war inside me.”

She swallowed hard, backing up slightly as he shut the door behind him. The storm outside raged, but in that moment, it was silent.

“You’re risking everything,” she said.

“I know.”

He looked around the cabin, his jaw tight. “You’re not safe here, Aria. Damon’s not the only one watching. He’ll come again. And next time, he won’t be subtle.”

She hugged herself. “What does he want with me?”

Kade’s eyes darkened. “Power. Chaos. Revenge.”

He stepped closer, voice low. “You’re my mate. But to others… you’re a weapon. A weakness they can exploit. If they take you—hurt you—it destroys me.”

The way he said it… raw, unfiltered.

“You don’t even know me,” she whispered, voice trembling.

“I know enough.”

He raised a hand to her face, brushing a thumb along her cheek. “I know your scent calms the monster inside me. I know your voice is the only thing I want to hear when I wake up. And I know if anything happens to you, I’ll lose control.”

Aria’s breath hitched. Her skin burned under his touch.

“Kade…”

He leaned in slowly, his lips hovering just above hers. “Say the word, Aria, and I’ll walk away. I’ll fight the bond. But if you don’t…”

She didn’t.

Instead, she surged forward, capturing his lips with hers.

The kiss was desperate—hungry. His hands tangled in her hair as he pulled her closer, their bodies pressing together like magnets finally snapping into place. Her back hit the wall with a soft gasp as his mouth moved over hers, claiming, devouring.

Every part of her came alive.

She wasn’t thinking anymore. She felt.

The kiss deepened, his tongue sliding against hers, slow and possessive. He tasted like rain and fire and something wild. She moaned into his mouth, her fingers clawing at his soaked hoodie.

He broke away just long enough to yank it over his head, revealing a chest sculpted from pure muscle, a long scar slicing diagonally across his left pec.

Before she could ask about it, he was kissing her again—harder this time. His hands explored her curves, memorizing every dip and swell with reverence and hunger.

He lifted her effortlessly, wrapping her legs around his waist as he carried her to the couch.

She didn’t care that her sweater was tugged up over her head, exposing her to the cool air. She didn’t care that she was trembling under his gaze.

Because his eyes—those eyes—looked at her like she was sacred.

“You’re perfect,” he murmured, trailing kisses down her throat, over her collarbone, lower still. “You were made for me.”

Her body arched beneath him, desperate for more, for everything.

But then—

A sound outside.

A growl.

Low. Dangerous.

Kade froze. His entire body went rigid.

He inhaled sharply, then cursed under his breath.

“They found me.”

Aria sat up, clutching a blanket around herself. “What? Who?”

Kade was already pulling on his hoodie, muscles tense, senses alert.

“Rogues,” he said. “Wolves who don’t follow any pack. Damon must’ve sent them.”

He turned to her, cupping her face. “Stay here. Lock the doors. Don’t come out until I return.”

“No,” she whispered, grabbing his arm. “You can’t go out there alone.”

“I’ve fought worse,” he said, pressing a kiss to her forehead. “But if they come inside—if they touch you—I won’t be able to stop myself from tearing this town apart.”

And then, like smoke, he was gone.

Aria rushed to the window, heart in her throat.

She saw shadows moving in the trees. Heard snarls, snapping branches, the heavy thud of paws against wet earth.

Then a flash—Kade shifting mid-run, his body contorting, clothes shredding—until he exploded into his true form.

A massive black wolf.

Larger than any she’d imagined. Muscles rippled under his fur, and his eyes—still golden—glowed with raw fury.

Three wolves lunged from the trees.

Kade met them head-on, slamming into one with enough force to send it flying. He spun, claws slashing, fangs bared. The other two circled, trying to flank him.

But he was too fast. Too powerful.

Aria watched in horror and awe as he fought like a storm unleashed—fluid, savage, beautiful.

Blood sprayed. A scream echoed.

Then—silence.

The wolves were gone.

Kade stood in the clearing, panting, his dark fur matted with blood that wasn’t his.

And then—he looked at her.

Straight through the window.

Straight into her soul.

Mine, that look said.

Forever.

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Chapter Six is coming next: where Kade reveals what really happened to his pack, the danger Aria is truly in—and where their bond is tested in a way she never saw coming. Ready to keep going?