Chapter 7 The Wrong Approach

"Friends?" Riven's voice echoed through the room, loud and incredulous. Kael didn't bother looking up. "Friends?" Riven repeated, pacing in front of him. "Which sane teacher calls a student into his office and suggests being friends? Do you hear yourself, Alpha?" Kael's jaw tightened. "I didn't ask for your opinion." "Oh, you're getting it anyway," Riven said with a grin. "Honestly, you need lessons. If there were an award for the worst approach in history, you'd win it effortlessly." Kael shot him a glare. "Enough." Riven chuckled but sobered slightly.

"So she doesn't believe in the supernatural world at all?" "No," Kael replied. "She thinks I'm delusional." "That's rich," Riven muttered. "Considering she's your mate." Kael leaned back, running a hand through his hair. "And yet the bond is undeniable. Every time she's near, something stirs. Something I can't place." His voice lowered. "It's stronger than instinct. Stronger than desire." Riven stopped pacing. "Then she's not ordinary." "I know," Kael said quietly. "But I don't know what she is." Riven studied him for a moment. "Then the answer is simple. You need to get closer to her." Kael laughed humorously. "It's not that simple. She already threatened to report me." Riven winced. "Yeah... you really messed that up." Silence stretched between them. Finally, Riven spoke again, his tone more serious. "Still, proximity is the key. The mate bond reveals truths over time. Her reactions, her instincts, everything will tell you what you need to know." Kael stared ahead, eyes dark with determination. "Three months," he murmured. "That's all I have." "You'll succeed," Riven said confidently. "You didn't survive assassination attempts, suppression, and exile just to fail now." Kael exhaled slowly. "I hope you're right." Riven smirked. "Just try not to scare her off completely next time." Kael's lips curved faintly. "No promises." Aria's POV Aria slept restlessly that night. She turned from one side of the bed to the other, her brows drawn together as her mind drifted far from reality. Then the world around her shifted. She was no longer in her room. Aria stood in the middle of a vast forest, surrounded by towering trees whose branches stretched endlessly into the dark sky. The air felt alive, heavy with a presence she could not explain. Above her, a full moon glowed brightly, bathing everything in a soft silver light. Her heart thudded loudly in her chest. Somewhere in the distance, a deep howl echoed through the forest. The sound sent a strange shiver through her body. She should have been afraid, yet fear never came. Instead, warmth spread through her chest, unfamiliar but comforting. She turned slowly. From between the trees emerged a large black wolf. His fur shimmered under the moonlight, and his eyes glowed an intense shade of blue. He did not bare his teeth or growl. He only watched her, calm and powerful. Their gazes locked. The world seemed to fall silent. The wolf stepped closer, his presence overwhelming yet oddly reassuring. Aria felt rooted to the spot, unable to move, unable to look away. Her chest tightened as an unfamiliar pull tugged at her, drawing her toward him. She took a step forward without realizing it. The wolf lowered his head, his eyes never leaving hers. As he moved closer, she felt a sudden rush of warmth flood through her body, like something inside her was awakening. Then his voice echoed in her mind, deep and clear. You are mine. Aria gasped sharply and sat upright in bed. Her chest rose and fell rapidly as she clutched the sheets beneath her fingers. The room was dark and quiet, yet her heart continued to race as if she had been running. It was just a dream. Still, the feeling lingered. The next morning, Aria arrived at school with the dream replaying in her head. Every detail felt too real, too vivid to ignore. As she walked beside Lili through the hallway, she finally spoke. Do you think that somehow there could be a supernatural world somewhere. Lili stopped and stared at her, then reached out to touch her forehead. You have watched too many supernatural movies. Aren't you the one who said you don't believe in the supernatural world. Why are you suddenly thinking about it. Well it's just a question. No need to be all that serious. Lili narrowed her eyes, studying her face. You sure you are okay. Yeah I'm fine. I'm fine. The day finally ended without her having to see that annoying lecturer again. Aria should have felt relieved, but she didn't. Ever since she met him, something about her had been... off. It started at the party, the way her breath had caught when their eyes met. The way her body reacted before her mind could catch up. And now, every time she thought of him, something inside her twisted restlessly, like it was pressing against invisible walls, desperate to break free. She hated it. She hated not understanding what was happening to her. Questions crowded her mind, but there was no one she could ask. How do you explain a feeling you don't even believe should exist? By the time she got home, the sky had darkened. She dropped her bag and waited for her aunt to return from work, pacing her room until she heard the familiar sound of the front door opening. Aria found her aunt in the kitchen, standing over the stove, stirring dinner. "How was school today?" her aunt asked casually. "It was fine," Aria replied, leaning against the counter. Her aunt glanced at her briefly, then slowed her movements. She had raised Aria long enough to recognize that look. The hesitation. The restless shifting. "What is it?" she asked gently. Aria hesitated, biting her lower lip. "Umm... Dad never really talked about Mom like that," she began slowly. "Do you know where she was from? Or her family?" Her aunt paused. "No," she said after a moment. "I don't know anything about her family. Your mother died while giving birth to you. I never got the chance to meet her." Aria's chest tightened. "Not even a picture?" Her aunt shook her head. "No. Not even a picture." Silence stretched between them. "Why are you asking?" her aunt added, turning to face her fully. "Umm... nothing," Aria replied too quickly. "I just wanted to know more about my mom." Her aunt studied her face, concern creeping into her eyes. "Did something happen to you?" "No. No, nothing happened," Aria said, forcing a small smile. "I'm fine." She turned away before her aunt could ask more. "I'll be in my room." "Okay," her aunt replied softly. "Come down when dinner is ready." Aria nodded and headed upstairs, closing her bedroom door behind her. As she lay on her bed, staring at the ceiling, one thought refused to leave her mind. Why did it feel like the answers she was looking for were closer than she realized... yet buried so deep that uncovering them might change everything?