Chapter 3 [TORN IN TWO]

Kael didn't sleep.

He stared at the ceiling of his tent until the sky turned gray, and even then, he didn't move.

Her words replayed over and over.

"Your father killed my family."

"My name is Aurora. Daughter of Alpha Thorne."

The name echoed like thunder in his mind.

Thorne was the traitor. The rogue king. The one who had defied the Council and broken every treaty. Garrick, Kael's father, had led the charge that brought him down.

But Kael remembered how Garrick never spoke of the war in detail.

Now he wondered why.

He sat up slowly, gripping the edge of the cot.

If Aurora was telling the truth, then everything he believed about his father-about the war-might be a lie.

But how could he prove it?

Meanwhile – Deep in Rogue Territory

Aurora knelt beside a wounded wolf, pressing a cloth to the gash in his leg.

"Hold still, Jarek," she muttered, her voice calm but firm.

"I'm trying," the young wolf groaned.

Tamsin stood nearby, arms crossed. "He's lucky you found him. Patrols are moving deeper every day."

Aurora didn't answer. Her mind was still back at the Silverfang ball. Back with Kael.

She could feel the bond pulling at her. Every heartbeat reminded her he was out there, probably hurting just like she was.

But she couldn't go back. She wouldn't.

He was the enemy.

Even if he didn't want to be.

Silverfang Packlands – Council Room

Kael slammed a hand down on the oak table. "Tell me the truth."

Alpha Garrick narrowed his eyes. "Watch your tone, boy."

Kael didn't back down. "You told me Thorne was a traitor. That he attacked the Council. But there are stories-rumors-of survivors. Of something else."

Garrick's jaw tightened. "Rogues always lie."

"She's not lying."

Garrick went still. "Who?"

Kael hesitated. "A girl I met... during the last raid."

Garrick's eyes flashed with anger. "You're fraternizing with rogues now?"

"She saved my life."

Garrick stood slowly. "You listen to me, Kael. The Thorne bloodline is dead. I saw to it myself."

"No," Kael said. "You think they're dead. But they're not."

The room fell silent.

Finally, Garrick spoke. "Stay away from her. Whatever lies she told you, they're poison."

Kael met his father's gaze. "You can't protect your secrets forever."

Back at Whisper Ridge

Aurora walked alone through the trees, her hands deep in her pockets. The wind whispered through the branches, carrying old memories with it.

She used to walk these paths with her mother. Back when life was soft. Safe.

Now, she didn't know who to trust.

Kael had looked genuinely shocked when she told him the truth. Like he had no idea what his father had done.

Part of her wanted to believe him. That he wasn't like Garrick.

But she couldn't afford hope.

Not when wolves were still dying every week.

Not when rogues still lived like prey.

Finn found her near the river. "You missed the council meeting."

"I wasn't in the mood."

He studied her. "You saw him again, didn't you?"

Aurora didn't answer.

Finn sighed. "You know how this ends."

"I know."

"No, you don't," he said softly. "You think you can keep running. But bonds don't break just because you want them to."

She looked away. "Maybe not. But I can still choose who I become."

Finn nodded slowly. "Then choose wisely."

Three Days Later – A Surprise at the Border

Kael didn't know what he expected when he returned to the forest where he first saw her. Maybe nothing.

But he found a trail.

A flash of black cloth on a branch. A faint scent only his wolf could track.

He followed it deeper than he should've.

Past the river. Past the old burned village.

Until he saw her.

Aurora.

She was kneeling near a fallen tree, helping a young rogue girl up from the snow. The child's ankle was swollen.

Kael didn't speak.

Didn't breathe.

He had never seen her like this before-so gentle. So real.

Aurora sensed him before she saw him.

She turned, eyes wide.

Her body stiffened. "Why are you here?"

Kael stepped into the clearing. "I needed to see you."

"I told you to stay away."

He looked at the child, then back at her. "You're helping them."

"Of course I am."

"I didn't know," he said quietly. "About your past. About my father."

Aurora's jaw clenched. "So what now? You want forgiveness?"

"No," he said. "I want the truth."

She laughed bitterly. "Too late for that."

"I can't fix what happened, Aurora. But I can choose what I do now."

She looked at him, searching his face.

And for the first time, she saw it-he wasn't like the others.

Not like Garrick.

Not like the wolves who had burned her world down.

He was still her enemy.

But maybe...

He didn't want to be.

Back at Silverfang – Secrets Uncovered

Kael went straight to the archives. It took hours, but he found the old war records.

Most were burned.

But one scroll survived-tucked behind a false wall.

It wasn't a report.

It was a letter.

To the Council of Elders,

I, Alpha Thorne, plead for peace. We will not fight. We only ask for safe haven. For our children. Please, do not let innocent blood stain your hands.

Kael stared at the words.

They had never attacked.

They begged for mercy.

And Garrick had lied.

Later – Aurora's Confession

Aurora sat with Finn by the fire. The rogue camp was quiet tonight. For once, there were no alarms. No howls in the dark.

"I saw him again," she whispered.

Finn didn't say anything.

"He found me near the river. He... he looked at me like I wasn't the enemy."

"You're not."

"I should hate him."

"You don't."

Aurora looked down. "I'm scared, Finn."

"Of him?"

"No. Of what it means to want him."

Finn placed a hand on her shoulder. "You get to choose your path, Aurora. Just don't let anger build your future for you."

She nodded, but deep inside, the fear remained.

What if Kael was the only wolf who could bring peace?

And what if the cost... was her heart?