Chapter 3 Into the Cold Lands

(Somewhere in the North – Unknown Territory)

Pain was all I felt right as I opened my eyes. Every breath felt like pins pierced against my ribs. My head ached like it would explode. My whole body felt wounded and bruised. I could feel it from within, like it had been set on fire but surprisingly I was warm and covered.

I was wrapped in soft cozy blankets, shielding myself from the cold wind. Nearby, wood burned subtly, filling the air with scents of smoke and wolf

I scrubbed my eyes and opened them. The room was dim, lit only by the wavering firelight and some pale lighting sneaking through a half-covered window. I realized I was in a cabin. It looked hand-built and remote. Everything smelled like snow and ash. Weapons decorated the far wall-blades, axes, and sharp-tipped iron spears.

And in the corner, sitting in an old wooden chair covered in strange-looking leather, was the finest man I had ever seen.

He was tall and broad, with good-looking muscles wrapped in leather and fur. His blonde hair fell messily over his forehead, and his eyes- wow his piercing eyes were silver-gray, seductive, and Impossible to read.

The same eyes I saw before everything went blank. He watched me like a predator would watch its prey, it had decided to chase and devour

"Good. You're alive," he said, his muscular voice sounding deep and sexy. "I thought you might be stupid enough to die."

I flinched. "Who... are you?"

He didn't answer immediately. Instead, he paced around the room, and then he knelt beside me. I defensively tried to pull away, but he held me, grabbing my wrist gently. Even though his grip was soft, it felt like he could break me into two if he wanted.

"Your fever got intense four hours ago," he muttered. "You lost a lot of blood. That wound on your hand... It's glowing."

I glanced down.

My palm-the one I had sliced open was completely healed. But a faint, silver scar remained in the shape of a crescent just like the mark over my heart.

I pulled my hand back

"Who are you?" I questioned further, my voice more stern this time.

He stood slowly, studying me like I was a puzzle trying to decipher what and who I am

"Aether" he finally said. "Alpha of Northwood pack."

My heart skipped a beat. "Aether Thorne? Northwood?" I said almost in disbelief

A pack that hardly anyone believed was real, just whispers from old stories. They were known as outcasts-ghost wolves living in cursed lands. They were tough, fierce, and not to be messed with

Not the kind of Alpha you'd want to beg for mercy.

"Why did you help me?" I asked, feeling a mix of confusion and curiosity.

"I didn't," he replied hastily. "My patrol found your half-dead body near the black ridge. You were screaming in your sleep. Almost bit one of my men when he tried to lift you."

My cheeks flushed in embarrassment.

Alpha Aether crossed his arms akimbo, squinting his eyes.

"What were you doing that far north, with that scar glowing like a gesture for rogues?"

I didn't give him an answer.

He leaned in closer. "You're not just a lost girl. So why don't you tell me what you are?"

I bit my lip. "I'm certain it's none of your business."

"I disagree," he said calmly. "You stumbled into my territory. You bled on my packs sacred land. And now the snow smells like you."

I stiffened. "I don't intend to stay here."

"Good!" he said. "I don't want you here either."

His words were plain, and a bit rude. They stung more than I expected.

But then he added, "But you're not walking out that door until I get some answers. And besides you're not strong enough not to collapse."

I didn't want to argue, so I turned away and stared at the burning fire.

–––

Later at night, I stayed awake long after he left the cabin. Sleep didn't come easily anymore.

When I finally pulled away the blanket and stood, my legs felt half-frozen. The cabin was quiet, but I could sense the pack outside-silent and sharp-eyed. Watching.

I slipped outside.

The Cold Lands stretched out endlessly-mountains and silver woods covered in deep snow. But it wasn't lifeless. I could hear bird sounds and see torchlight flickering along the outer walls.

The Northwood pack wasn't extinct, they were fierce and surviving. A movement caught my eye-up on the ridge. It was Aether Thorne

He stood alone at the edge of the cliff, as the wind blew towards his direction scattering his blonde colored hair. his face turned as he stared towards the full moon. He looked like a beautiful ghost. A mini god, like someone who didn't quite belong to this world.

I'm not sure what got into me, but I realized I was walking towards him.

His voice echoed right away before I could get too close to him. "Your wolf," he said without turning. "She's silent."

I stopped in my tracks.

"How do you know that?" I asked, feeling a chill run down my spine.

He turned his head just a bit. "I've seen it before. The Moon-Blessed sometimes go mute when their fated bond is broken."

My heart raced. "You know about the bond?"

He finally faced me completely. "I don't believe in mates." He uttered

"Why not?" I pressed further

"Because bonds lie. People lie. Power doesn't."

I stared at him, I was shivering, and not just because of the cold.

He took a step closer. "You're dangerous, May of Blue Crest. I don't know why the Goddess marked you. But until I figure it out, I'm keeping you here"

He took another step, we were close now-too close.

My breath fastened. "You can't make me stay if I don't want to"

He let out a frown. "You're free to leave. But- You won't survive out there," he said simply, his eyes glowing. "And we both know it."

He stared at my chest for just a moment-right where the crescent moon mark was, hidden beneath my clothes. I immediately sensed that he could see the mark

Then he looked back at my face, as if to read my thoughts, but stepped back, nodded, and walked away

Back in the cabin, I covered myself up under the blankets, my heart racing.

He didn't believe in mates. He doesn't trust the Moon Goddess, but the way he looks at me says something different:

Everything about him makes me feel unsettled.

Aether Thorne, the unrivaled Alpha, a man with unpredictable actions, and maybe... just maybe, there's more to him than I can imagine