Chapter 7 Hidden Affections

The night air hung heavy with mist, curling through the dense pines surrounding Blackmoor's encampment. The Blood Moon was only days away, and the energy in the air was shifting. Tension crackled between wolves like dry leaves underfoot. Aria Wynn felt it in her bones, a prickling unease that no salve or herb could soothe.

She made her way toward the old medicinal hut the Blackmoor pack had begrudgingly assigned to her. The council barely tolerated her presence, and most wolves either sneered or gave her a wide berth. Only Kade had insisted she stay within their guarded territory, a decision met with whispered objections and open glares.

Aria didn't care. She'd risked worse before.

But tonight felt different. A shadow detached itself from the trees as she crossed a narrow path. Aria tensed, fingers brushing the dagger hidden beneath her cloak.

"Easy," a low voice murmured. "It's just me."

Riven Hale stepped into the moonlight, his dark hair tousled and his sharp grey eyes weary. He was usually unflappable, carrying the easy arrogance of a born warrior, but now something restless flickered behind his gaze.

"Riven," she greeted, forcing calm into her voice. "You shouldn't be out here."

He gave a humorless laugh. "Neither should you."

She started to brush past him, but he reached out, catching her arm. His grip was firm, not bruising , a warrior's hold, capable of breaking bones yet choosing restraint.

"Aria," he said, voice rough, "we need to talk."

"I have nothing to say to you, Riven."

"You should listen anyway."

She hesitated, glancing around the empty clearing. The pack would be gathered near the den by now, too occupied with council debates and war plans to notice their absence. Reluctantly, she gave a nod.

"Fine. Say it."

He didn't let go of her arm. Instead, his thumb brushed lightly over the inside of her wrist. An intimate gesture that made her stomach knot.

"You need to leave," Riven said quietly. "Tonight. Before the Blood Moon. You're not safe here."

Aria stiffened. "I wasn't aware I was ever safe here."

He scowled, releasing her hand to rake his fingers through his hair. "You don't understand what's happening, Aria. There's a rebellion brewing. Draven's gathering traitors and mercenaries. The council's divided. Kade won't see it until it's too late. And you," his voice dropped, thick with emotion ",you'll get caught in the crossfire."

Aria's pulse quickened, but she kept her expression unreadable. "I can handle myself."

Riven stepped closer, his scent , pine and steel , wrapping around her. "You shouldn't have to."

She lifted her chin. "I'm not leaving, Riven. Kade needs me. The pack needs me."

His jaw clenched. "Dammit, Aria... I need you."

The words hung between them, raw and unguarded. Aria's heart lurched, a part of her wanting to pretend she hadn't heard, to dismiss it as stress or misplaced loyalty. But the truth was written all over his face , in the tension of his shoulders, the flicker of vulnerability in his eyes.

"I've tried to stay away," Riven admitted hoarsely. "Tried to tell myself it was duty, or pity, or whatever else I could conjure. But I can't anymore."

She shook her head, backing a step. "Riven... don't."

"I love you, Aria."

It shouldn't have surprised her. The lingering glances, the overprotectiveness, the sharp edge in his voice whenever Kade's name was mentioned. She'd seen it coming, and still, hearing it left her breathless.

"I can't," she whispered. "I don't... I don't feel that way about you."

A shadow crossed his face, pain flickering before he masked it with the cold indifference of a warrior. "Because of him."

"It's not just Kade," she said, voice trembling. "I don't belong to anyone. And if you cared about me, truly, you'd stop trying to claim me."

For a long, heavy moment, neither of them spoke. Then Riven exhaled a sharp breath and took a step back, the distance between them yawning wider than the clearing.

"I'm not claiming you," he muttered. "I'm trying to save you."

"I can save myself."

His lips twisted into a bitter smile. "You always were too stubborn for your own good."

Aria softened, guilt pressing at her chest. Riven wasn't the enemy. He was angry and hurting and afraid. Just like the rest of them.

"I don't want to lose you, Riven," she said quietly. "You're my friend."

He gave a short, humorless laugh. "Not anymore."

Before she could reply, he turned and vanished into the trees, leaving only the scent of pine and a hollow ache in his wake.

Aria stood there for a long moment, staring at the place he'd been, heart pounding. The world felt heavier, the weight of impending war settling over her shoulders.

She knew things would only get worse from here.

And somewhere deep down, a part of her mourned the friendship she'd just lost.

As she made her way back to the den, the shadows seemed thicker, the air colder. The bond between her and Kade tugged faintly at her consciousness, a reminder of the other man whose world was about to collapse.

War was coming.

And no heart would escape unscathed.