Chapter 4 4

The night was heavy with unspoken tension, the air thick with the weight of choices unmade. Caleb sat across from her, his hands clasped tightly together, as if holding on to the last threads of control. Aria watched him, her heart still torn between anger and an aching, foolish hope. She could feel the pull of the bond deep within her, even now, despite everything. It was a constant reminder of the life she could have had-should have had, had Caleb not rejected her so ruthlessly.

But now, as the rain pelted against the windows, the storm outside mirroring the turmoil inside her, Aria knew she couldn't remain silent forever.

"You don't get to walk into my life like this, Caleb," she said, her voice low but steady. "You don't get to shatter me and then just... expect me to fix everything for you."

"I'm not asking you to fix it all, Aria," Caleb said quietly, his voice thick with exhaustion. "I'm asking you to help me with what's broken. The pack. Our people. I can't do it alone."

Aria's gaze flicked to the fire, watching the flames dance as they consumed the logs, their bright orange and yellow hues dancing in the darkened room. Her thoughts were scattered, her mind racing through every painful moment of the last few weeks, from Caleb's rejection to the hollow loneliness that had plagued her since.

She wanted to hate him. She wanted to walk away, to slam the door in his face and never look back. But the thought of the pack-of the wolves who still needed her, who trusted her-kept her rooted to the spot.

"Fine," she said, her voice cold, her pride prickling with every word. "I'll help. But don't expect anything more from me."

She didn't wait for his response, moving quickly to the back of the cottage to grab a leather bag from the shelf. Inside, she kept various herbs, salves, and tinctures-remedies for whatever ailed the people who came to her for help. She packed them quickly, her hands shaking ever so slightly as she worked.

Caleb stood silently by the table, watching her, his gaze soft but full of longing. She could feel it, even now, his regret radiating off him in waves.

"You have to understand," he said after a long silence. "I never wanted to hurt you. I never wanted to push you away."

Aria didn't look up as she stuffed the last jar of salve into the bag. "It's too late for apologies, Caleb."

His silence spoke volumes, and she could feel the weight of his regret pressing on her.

"Just... don't make me regret this," she said, slinging the bag over her shoulder and heading for the door.

She didn't wait for his response.

The moon hung high in the sky, its silver light casting long shadows across the path as Aria walked through the thick trees toward the heart of the Frostfang Pack's territory. Caleb followed quietly behind her, his presence like a shadow, a constant reminder of everything they'd lost.

They moved in silence, the only sound the crunch of leaves beneath their feet. Aria's thoughts were a swirl of doubts, of fears she wasn't ready to face.

The packhouse loomed in the distance, a massive structure of wood and stone, its windows glowing faintly with the warmth of the pack inside.

Caleb stopped just short of the steps leading to the front door. "Are you sure about this?"

Aria turned to him, her face unreadable. "You can't come with me, Caleb. This is something I have to do alone."

He opened his mouth as if to protest, but she silenced him with a single look. "I mean it. Stay back. I'll take care of this."

He nodded slowly, though his reluctance was clear. He'd always been protective of her, even when he had no right to be. But there was nothing left to say, no more excuses to offer.

As she stepped up to the door, Aria took a deep breath and knocked. The sound echoed through the packhouse like the toll of a bell, signaling a shift, a change that had been a long time coming.

The door creaked open, and a familiar face appeared in the doorway.

"Aria?"

It was Kade-his dark hair tousled and his eyes wide with surprise.

"I... didn't expect you to come back," he said, stepping aside to let her in. "What's going on?"

Aria didn't have time to explain. She walked past him, her steps determined, her eyes scanning the room as the pack members stared at her in shock.

At the far end of the room, sitting with an air of superiority, was Ophelia. Her dark eyes glinted with malice as she watched Aria, a smirk playing at the corner of her lips.

"Well, well," Ophelia drawled, her voice dripping with fake sweetness. "Look who decided to grace us with her presence. The rejected luna herself."

Aria's jaw tightened, but she refused to let Ophelia's words get under her skin. "I'm not here for you, Ophelia. I'm here because your little scheme is about to tear this pack apart."

The room fell silent, and for the first time since she'd entered, Aria let her gaze settle on Caleb. He stood just inside the doorway, his expression unreadable.

"Caleb," she said, her voice firm. "Your pack needs you. And you need to put your mate in her place."

Ophelia's eyes narrowed, and for the first time, Aria saw a flicker of something dark in them-fear. The mask of confidence slipped, if only for a second.

Caleb stepped forward, his body taut with tension. "Aria's right," he said, his voice carrying through the room. "I've been blind to what's been happening, but no more. Ophelia, you've gone too far."

Ophelia's smirk faltered, but she quickly regained control. "And what? You think she's just going to take over? You really want her back that badly, Caleb?"

Her words were venomous, meant to provoke, and they hit their mark. But Aria didn't flinch.

"I'm not here for power," she said coolly. "I'm here because the pack is falling apart, and I'm the only one who can save it now."

A murmur rippled through the room, and the tension grew thick, the air crackling with the weight of unspoken truths. Caleb's gaze never left her, and in that moment, Aria realized just how much had changed between them.

She wasn't the same girl who had once begged for his affection. She was stronger now-stronger because of him, and in spite of him. And she wouldn't let him or anyone else tear down everything she had fought so hard to rebuild.

With one final look at Caleb, she turned back to face the pack.

"You all need to choose a side," she said, her voice unwavering. "This is your chance to decide who you stand with-your alpha, or a false luna who will destroy everything you've worked for."

And with that, the battle for the pack had officially begun.