Chapter 4 4
11:45 PM
Liora’s voice hissed in my head.
"We’re walking into a trap."
"Maybe," I muttered under my breath, slipping through the dark corridor. "But if someone knows the truth, I need answers."
The bell tower loomed like a skeleton against the moonlight. Its door hung slightly open.
"Perfect place to get murdered," Liora grumbled.
I pushed inside anyway. Dust. Cobwebs. The spiral staircase groaned beneath my feet as I climbed.
At the top, a figure stepped from the shadows.
“Hello, Aria.”
I froze. My fake name burned on my tongue. “It’s Arden.”
“Aria Silverbane,” the girl corrected softly. She was my age, auburn hair falling down her shoulders, eyes sharp enough to cut glass. “Daughter of Alpha Darius. Betrothed to Malrick Voss… until you ran.”
My blood iced. “Who the hell are you?”
“Elena Nightshade.” She took a step closer. “And like you, I’m not what I pretend to be.”
“Meaning?”
“I’m a witch. A spy for the Resistance.”
I blinked. “The what?”
“The group that wants to burn down the Alpha system that treats women like property. Monsters like Malrick are exactly why we exist.” She opened a locket. Inside was a portrait silver hair, violet eyes. My mother.
I staggered back. “Where did you ”
“From someone who knew her. Someone waiting for you to claim your birthright.”
“I don’t have a birthright,” I snapped. “I don’t want a crown. I just want to survive.”
Her gaze hardened. “Survival isn’t freedom. You’re the last of the royal bloodline, Aria. The rightful Queen of the werewolf territories.”
The words hit like blows.
“You’re lying.”
“Am I?” she pressed. “Why else do men like Malrick hunt you? Why else does Zeke Ravencrest circle you like prey? You are the key to everything.”
Before I could reply, footsteps thundered up the stairs. Voices. Laughter.
Elena’s eyes widened. “We’ve been followed.”
The door burst open. Zeke Ravencrest strode in with three of his thugs. His pale eyes lit up when they landed on me.
“Well, well. Midnight adventures?” He smirked at Elena. “And who’s this? Don’t recognize you. Nightshade, did you say? Interesting name.”
“We were leaving,” I muttered, trying to edge toward the door.
“Oh, I don’t think so.” Zeke held up a tablet, smirk curling into triumph. “Look familiar?”
The screen showed a news clipping: ‘Silverbane Pack Alpha Announces Daughter’s Engagement.’ My face stared back at me barely younger, unmistakable.
“Aria Silverbane,” he said slowly, savoring the name. “Vanished three weeks ago. And here you are.”
My stomach dropped.
“That proves nothing,” I forced out.
“Then let’s prove it properly.” One of his friends produced a sleek device. “Scent analyzer. Even through blockers.”
Elena’s hand darted into her pocket. “Not tonight.”
She hurled a vial to the ground blinding silver light erupted, smoke choking the chamber.
“Run!” she shouted, seizing my wrist.
We bolted for the window. The ladder groaned under us as we scrambled down. A crossbow bolt whistled past my ear.
“They’re shooting at us!” I gasped.
“Jump or die!” Elena yelled and leapt.
Cursing, I let go. Pain exploded through my legs when I hit the ground, but Elena hauled me up. Together we sprinted for the forest as Zeke’s voice roared behind us.
By the stream, we finally collapsed, lungs burning.
“He knows,” Elena said grimly. “By dawn, the whole Academy will. And Malrick won’t be far behind.”
Ice spread through me. Everything I’d built was crumbling.
“There’s one way out,” she pressed. “Come with me. The Resistance will protect you. Train you. Make you strong enough to fight back.”
“And if I say no?”
Her eyes softened, but her voice stayed firm. “Then you’ll be handed to Malrick. And freedom will never be yours.”
Silence fell between us, broken only by the stream. My chest heaved with impossible choices.
“I need time,” I whispered.
“You have until dawn.” She rose, already melting into the shadows. “After that, the choice is no longer yours.”
I sat alone beneath the stars, heart pounding, certain of only one thing: nothing would ever be the same again.
