Chapter 3 When Fangs Meet Claws

Three weeks had passed since the fire, but the smoke still haunted Aria's dreams.

Every night she saw crimson eyes in the darkness, every morning she woke with her claws extended, heart pounding, fangs bared to ghosts.The surviving wolves had relocated deep within the Frostveil Woods hidden from the vampire patrols that now roamed the borders. Aria had trained harder than ever. Each scar became a vow, each bruise a reminder that she could not rest until the vampire prince's heart stopped beating."Again!" she shouted as Kael attacked. She dodged, flipped, and drove him into the dirt. Her blade kissed his throat.He grinned. "You're improving, little sister.""I'm not here to improve," she growled, sheathing her dagger. "I'm here to avenge."Kael sighed. "Vengeance makes you blind, Aria."

"Good," she said. "I don't want to see mercy."

She stormed off into the forest before he could reply. The night was cold, the trees whispering secrets to the wind. She was halfway to the river when she sensed it the faintest shift in the air. The kind of silence that only meant one thing.She wasn't alone.Aria spun, claws flashing. "Show yourself!"

A shadow detached from the trees. He moved with unnatural grace tall, dark, and calm, his red eyes glinting under the moonlight.Her breath caught. Those eyes."Easy," he said softly, hands raised. "I'm not here to fight."Aria's heart slammed against her ribs. Her voice came out sharp. "You're trespassing, leech."

He smiled faintly. "And you're far from your pack, little wolf."The sound of his voice it was deep, smooth, dangerous. It shouldn't have made her pulse quicken, but it did."Give me one reason I shouldn't tear your throat out," she hissed.He stepped closer, unfazed by her snarl. "Because you're curious."Her claws twitched. "About what?"

"Why I didn't kill you that night."Silence stretched between them. The forest seemed to hold its breath.

She glared. "You think sparing me earns mercy?"

"No," he said quietly. "It earns answers."He moved closer, slow enough that she could have attacked should have attacked but she didn't. Something about him disarmed her. Not his beauty, not his voice, but the sadness in his eyes.

"Who are you?" she demanded.

He bowed his head slightly. "Luca Blackthorn."

The name hit her like a blade to the chest. "The prince."

"And you," he said, his gaze steady, "are the girl who swore to kill me."

Aria clenched her jaw. "Still plan to."

Luca smiled faintly. "Then perhaps we should talk before you do."

"Talk?" she spat. "You murdered my pack."

His expression darkened. "Not I. Not my will. There's something else at play, Aria. The war it's being manipulated."She scoffed. "You expect me to believe a vampire prince wants peace?""No," he said, eyes flickering crimson. "I expect you to believe I want truth."

For a long moment, neither moved. The moonlight poured between them, cold and bright. Somewhere, a wolf howled.Aria lowered her blade slightly not in surrender, but in curiosity she couldn't kill. "Speak fast, Prince. Before I change my mind."

Luca's voice softened. "Then listen closely, Wolf. Because the truth will destroy everything you've ever known."