Chapter 6 First Close Encounter

The training yard was half-empty that afternoon, most warriors worn out from morning drills. Arya wiped sweat from her brow, the ache in her arms a satisfying reminder that she was still standing. Still fighting.

"Thought you said you had stamina," Lucas teased, walking over with that crooked smile of his.

Arya raised a brow. "I said I had stamina. I didn't say I was stupid enough to spar with Damon twice in a row."

Lucas laughed, handing her a flask of water. "Fair point."

The two of them had grown closer in the past few weeks-easing into something natural. There were no awkward silences, no pressure to pretend. Just easy conversation, shared meals, and the occasional teasing match that left them both grinning like kids.

"I still say I could take you," Arya said after a beat, her voice lighter now.

Lucas mock-gasped. "Excuse me? You could barely breathe yesterday."

"I was being merciful," she replied with a straight face. "Didn't want to bruise your ego."

That earned her a dramatic groan. "Alright then, soldier. Let's see what mercy looks like."

They stepped into the ring, no crowd, just the sound of wind and their footsteps circling each other. Arya moved first-quick, fluid, like the training was second nature. Lucas countered easily, his laughter slipping through every block and dodge.

It wasn't about winning. It wasn't even about skill. It was something softer.

Connection.

She tripped him once, and he fell hard into the dirt, groaning as she stood over him with a smirk.

"Still want to test me?" she asked.

Lucas looked up, eyes twinkling. "Marry me."

Arya snorted. "You can't afford me."

He grinned, brushing dirt from his shoulder as he stood. "Guess I'll stick to being your friend then."

She didn't say anything, but for the first time in a while... she smiled without pretending.

Later that day, Mira found her while she was cleaning weapons in the barracks.

"He wants to see you," Mira said quietly.

Arya looked up. "Who?"

"Kael."

Arya's heart thudded once, hard.

She nodded, careful to hide the flicker of panic.

---

The Alpha's hall was colder than she remembered-vast stone walls, high ceilings, too much space for too few people. Kael stood near the long table, reading something, back turned.

He didn't look up when she entered. "You're one of the new soldiers."

"Yes, Alpha," she replied, voice calm but measured. She kept her posture perfect, head slightly lowered-just enough to hide her face but not enough to draw suspicion.

He finally turned.

For a moment, he just... stared.

His gaze wasn't sharp or commanding like before. It was confused, almost uncertain. His eyes flicked over her face, her posture, something in the way she stood.

"You're... familiar," he said slowly.

Arya's breath caught.

She didn't speak.

Kael's expression shifted-softening, just for a second. As if something buried deep inside him stirred. Something old. Warm. Painful.

Then, like a storm passing, it was gone.

He straightened. Cold again. "You've been performing well in training."

"Thank you, Alpha."

"I've assigned you to guard duty during the council meeting next week. Be ready."

She bowed her head. "Yes, Alpha."

He dismissed her without another glance.

---

Later, by the Fire

That night, Arya sat with Lucas outside the barracks, both of them staring into the crackling fire.

"You ever meet him?" he asked.

She hesitated. "Who?"

"Kael. Up close."

Arya nodded. "Today."

Lucas looked over. "What'd you think?"

She didn't look back. "He's... not what I expected."

Lucas was quiet for a while, then said, "He lost a lot. I think that's why he's the way he is now. Cold, unreadable."

Arya didn't answer.

Because she already knew.

She thinks that she had been part of what he lost.

---

The mission came at dawn.

A rogue sighting along the northern border. A quick response team. Minimal risk, they said. In and out. But Arya knew better-she could feel the tension in the air before they even saddled up.

Lucas rode beside her, his usual grin replaced by something heavier. He hadn't said much since Kael assigned the team, but then again, neither had she.

The woods were silent when they arrived. Too silent.

"Stay close," the patrol leader muttered. "Eyes open."

Arya melted into the trees like a shadow, heart pounding-not because of the rogues, but because she recognized this stretch of forest. She knew the broken stump near the stream, the jagged rock shaped like a claw. This was the edge of the territory she used to sneak to as a girl.

A shout broke the stillness.

Then chaos.

Snarls. Claws. The clash of wolves.

Arya didn't think-she moved. Fluid, deadly. Her body remembered what it meant to fight, not as a soldier, but as an alpha's daughter. Her strength showed too easily, too naturally. She took down two rogues before anyone else even reached them.

And that's when she felt it.

Someone watching.

Not the enemy.

Lucas.

She turned sharply, locking eyes with him just as he finished off the last rogue. Bloodied. Breathing hard. But not looking at the bodies-looking at her.

Their eyes held for a second too long.

Then he looked away.

And Arya felt something in her stomach twist.

---

Later that night, when the others were asleep, Arya couldn't rest. Her limbs ached, but her mind was louder. She found herself walking, boots crunching gently against leaves until she reached the riverbank on the far side of camp.

And there he was.

Lucas.

Sitting by the water, elbows on his knees, his head bowed.

She didn't mean to intrude, but when she stepped closer, she realized... he was crying.

Not loud sobs. Just silent, steady tears.

She sat beside him without a word.

He didn't look at her at first. Just kept staring at the water like it had all the answers.

After a long time, he spoke.

"I used to have a mate."

Arya glanced at him but didn't interrupt.

"She was fire. Pure fire. Smarter than me, stronger than me. Everyone thought I was just the idiot tagging behind her. And I was happy to be."

His voice cracked.

"She died in my arms. Rogue ambush. I wasn't fast enough."

Arya's chest tightened.

"I held her... and I swore I'd never get close to anyone again. Not like that. Not ever."

He laughed bitterly. "And now here I am. Letting you in."

Arya looked down at her hands.

This was the moment. A test of trust.

She could say nothing.

Or she could give him something.

Just a little.

"I lost someone too," she said softly. "Not to death. But it felt like dying."

Lucas turned to her, eyes glassy but steady.

"A mate?"

She hesitated. "Something like that."

Silence stretched between them, heavy but not uncomfortable.

Lucas nodded. "If you ever want to talk about it... I'll listen."

Arya studied him then. Really studied him. Not just the soldier or the charming one-liner guy. But the pain under his skin, the strength it took to keep moving.

And maybe, just maybe... he was safe.

---