Chapter 5 Riding The Edge

The wind carried the scent of pine and rain, but it did nothing to cool the fire in Aria's blood.

She rode behind Kael's black stallion, seated on her own mare-one of the few fast, lean-boned creatures left in the war camp. The saddle was old but held well. She gripped the reins tightly, jaw set, eyes forward, refusing to show weakness.

The heat pulsed inside her like a fever-low and slow, building steadily with every mile. Kael had said they were riding straight through the night to reach the rebel trade route near Ravengate before the slavers crossed the border.

She didn't care about the pain.

She didn't care about the cold sweat on her spine.

She only cared about Leo.

Behind her rode two of Kael's soldiers-his second, Darian, and a sharp-eyed female warrior named Thorne. The two said little, but Aria could feel their eyes on her. Watching. Judging.

The Omega.

The Velryn girl.

The enemy's daughter now tethered to the Alpha they feared.

She clenched her jaw and rode harder.

---

At Camp – Midnight Halt

They stopped to rest in the deep forest near a stream. The night air had turned cold, mist curling low over the ground.

Aria dismounted with trembling legs, nearly collapsing as the heat flared hard-like a wave crashing through her bones. She staggered toward the trees, grabbing the nearest trunk for support.

Kael was at her side before she called for him.

"I told you," he said quietly, eyes sharp in the moonlight, "you shouldn't be riding."

"I told you-I'm not leaving Leo."

Kael reached for her, but she flinched back.

"Don't," she said, voice hoarse.

He growled softly. "You think I want to touch you when you're burning like this? You think I want to lose control in front of my pack?"

Aria's gaze locked with his. "You already have control issues."

Kael stepped closer. Not touching, but close enough that the air between them sparked.

"I'm holding it back for you," he said, voice low. "Every second you breathe, I'm choosing not to throw you to the ground and mark you."

Aria's body reacted instantly. Her core clenched. Her skin flushed. The wolf inside her howled.

She hated it. She hated him.

But she couldn't stop wanting.

She shoved him hard, palms against his chest.

"I don't want this," she snarled. "I didn't ask for this bond. I didn't choose you."

Kael didn't move.

"Neither did I," he said, just as angry. "You think I wanted you? The daughter of the man who killed my mother? A hidden Omega raised to hate my kind? My wolf should want to rip your throat out."

He grabbed her wrist-tight, but not cruel.

"But he doesn't. He wants to mate you."

Aria's chest rose and fell rapidly. Her breath hitched.

"Then fight it."

Kael stepped even closer.

"I am. Every second I look at you."

She tore her hand from his and turned away, trying to hide the tears threatening to fall.

Behind her, Kael's voice was softer. "We'll reach Ravengate by sunrise. Try to rest."

---

A Few Hours Later – Aria's Tent

She couldn't sleep.

The heat came in pulses now, rolling through her in waves. Her skin was damp. Her breathing ragged. She curled into herself, burying her face in the furs, trying not to cry out.

Every nerve in her body screamed for him.

Kael.

Her enemy. Her mate. Her damnation.

The bond was tightening.

And if she didn't do something soon... it would break her.

---

Kael – Watching the Fire

He sat alone outside, back against a tree, sword across his lap. The rest of the camp slept.

But he couldn't.

He could feel her pain like it was his own.

He should stay away. He should keep his distance.

But the bond was fraying. Pulling. Dragging him toward her.

And if she broke under it...

She'd die.

Kael cursed under his breath and rose.