Whispers in the Blood
*****
The storm from last night hadn't really ended. It just went quiet for a while, like it was hiding and waiting to return. The sky looked heavy and dark. The air felt strange, like something bad was about to happen.
Inside the pack clinic, the mood was tense. Three wolves had collapsed during the night. They were all strong before—healthy, active. Now, they lay still, barely breathing. No wounds. No clear signs of what was wrong. The healers were confused. The elders whispered about curses. No one had any answers.
I stood in the hallway, not saying a word. My hands were at my sides, but my mind was racing.
Aria sat on a bench nearby. She had her knees pulled close to her chest. Her long silver-blonde hair hid most of her face. She looked so small, like she didn't belong in a place filled with warriors and leaders. But she was here. And she was my mate.
I walked over and sat beside her.
"You okay?" I asked gently.
She didn't answer right away. Then she said, "You don't have to be here. I know your father doesn't like this."
"I don't care what he thinks."
She looked at the floor. "Everyone's looking at me like I'm a mistake."
I glanced around. She was right. Even the healers were sneaking glances at her when they thought I wasn't watching.
"You're not a mistake, Aria."
She gave a tiny nod but said nothing else.
---
Later that day, I walked into my father's office. He was standing behind his desk, arms crossed, his face serious.
"You found her," he said.
I didn't speak.
He stepped forward. "An omega?"
I met his eyes. "Yes."
His hand moved fast. He slapped me hard across the face.
"You foolish boy," he snapped. "Do you know what you've done?" you want to stain my image .
I didn't move. "I didn't choose her. The bond chose us and I love her .
"She's weak. She scrubs floors. And you expect to lead a pack with her by your side?"
"She's still my mate."
He walked around the desk and pointed a finger at me. "You're not thinking. You're letting emotions cloud your duty. Reject her before this goes any further."
"I won't."
His face turned red with anger. "You want to throw away everything I built? For a girl with no name and no strength?"
"I'm not throwing anything away."
He moved close again. "If you keep her, the pack will turn against you. They will question your strength. You won't just lose respect—you'll lose everything. Even her."
"What do you mean?" I asked, my voice lower.
He gave a cold smile. "Accidents happen. Wolves disappear. Especially weak ones."
I stepped back. "You wouldn't."
He picked up a glass of whiskey and took a slow sip. "You have one chance. Keep this bond a secret. Don't mark her. Don't claim her. Or better yet, do what's right. Reject her before it's too late."
I turned and walked out of the room. I could still feel the sting on my face.
---
That evening, I found Luca in the training yard.
He looked up from his training dummy. "You look like hell."
"My dad hit me."
Luca's smile disappeared. "What?"
"He wants me to reject Aria. Says she's a risk."
"What did you tell him?"
"That I won't."
Luca nodded. "Good."
I shook my head. "It's not that simple. He's not just threatening me. He's threatening her."
Luca lowered his voice. "Then stay close to her. Don't let her out of your sight. If Regan wants to make a move, he'll have to go through you first."
"I just wish I knew what to do."
"You do," Luca said. "You're just scared to do it."
---
That night, I found Aria sitting on the back steps of the packhouse, hugging her legs. The moonlight made her hair shine like silver.
"Mind some company?" I asked.
She looked over and gave a small smile. "No."
I sat next to her. The night was quiet, except for the wind.
"I've been thinking," she said. "About everything. The bond. You. Me."
"Me too."
She looked down at her hands. "Do you regret it?"
"No."
"Not even a little?"
"Not even a little."
She let out a soft breath. "I don't understand why I was chosen. I'm not strong. I've never even shifted."
"You're stronger than you know."
"I don't feel like it."
I reached out and took her hand. "You're not alone."
She looked at me. "Thank you."
---
Somewhere nearby, in the Alpha's office, Regan stared at the fire. A dark figure stepped from the shadows.
"You said she would be dead before the bond," Regan said without turning around.
"She was protected," the figure answered.
"Then take the protection away."
The figure bowed and disappeared into the dark.
Regan whispered to himself, "I will not let her destroy us."
---
The next morning, the storm came back.
Thunder rolled across the sky. Rain started falling hard. The whole pack was on edge.
I kept Aria close. She didn't ask questions, but I knew she noticed. I was watching every corner. Every person. Waiting.
Then one of the guards came running toward me.
"Alpha Kieran!"
"What is it?"
"There's been a break-in near the border. A rogue. He ran, but we think he was watching the packhouse."
I turned to Aria. "Stay with Luca. Don't leave the room."
Her eyes widened. "What's happening?"
"Just be safe."
I rushed toward the border with two warriors.
We searched for hours, but the rogue was gone.
When I returned, Aria was waiting by the front door. She ran to me.
"You're okay."
I nodded. "I'm fine."
She looked up at me. "Was it for me?"
"I don't know. Maybe."
Her hand reached for mine. "Then I'll stay close."
---
That night, as I stood outside her room, I promised myself one thing: I would protect her from anything. Even if it meant going against my father. Even if it meant losing everything.
Kieran refused to reject his mate, but how long can he protect her when the danger is already watching?
And what will Aria do when she finds out… someone inside the pack wants her gone?