Chapter 3 Fractures

Aria walked deeper into the trees.

The packhouse lights had faded behind her. The forest grew darker. The air bit sharp. Her breath came fast.

Her wolf pressed inside her. "We should not leave."

Aria ignored it. Her steps were steady. Her jaw tight.

The bond burned in her chest. Every throb reminded her of Kael. Every throb tore her open again.

She would not stop. She would not return.

Her body ached, but her spirit pushed forward.

Kael did not sleep.

He paced his room until the floorboards groaned. The fire in the hearth burned low.

He felt the bond pulling. It was not faint now. It was sharp. Insistent.

His wolf growled. "She is leaving."

Kael stopped. His chest tightened. "Where?"

"Into the trees."

Kael's breath caught. His body tensed.

His wolf snapped. "Go."

Kael moved. He left his chambers. His guards called after him, but he ignored them. His boots hit stone fast.

He ran into the forest.

Aria stopped by a fallen log. She sat. Her chest heaved.

She pulled bread from her bag. She ate in silence.

The night pressed around her. The sounds of owls. The crack of branches.

Her wolf stirred restless. "We are being followed."

Aria's head snapped up. Her hand tightened on the knife at her belt.

Her eyes scanned the dark. Nothing moved.

But she felt it.

The bond pulsed again. Harder this time.

Her breath stilled.

She whispered low. "Kael."

Kael moved fast. The trees blurred. His senses stretched wide.

Her scent filled him. Wild, warm, sharp with grief.

His wolf howled inside him. "She is close."

Kael's chest pounded. The pull of the bond burned hot. He could feel her fear. Her stubborn pride.

He pushed harder.

The trees opened. He saw her by the log. Her knife drawn. Her hair loose. Her eyes wide.

His chest clenched.

Her gaze snapped to him. Their eyes locked.

The bond roared.

Aria's grip tightened on her knife.

Her voice was sharp. "Why are you following me?"

Kael stepped closer. His voice was low. "You left. I will not let you vanish."

Her laugh cut bitter. "You rejected me. I am nothing to you. Let me go."

He shook his head. His eyes burned. "You are not nothing."

Her chest ached. The bond flared, strong, unbroken.

Her hand trembled. She raised the knife higher. "Stay back."

He kept walking. His wolf pushed him forward.

Her voice cracked. "I will not beg for your love. I will not crawl to you."

His throat closed. He stopped a few steps away.

His voice was rough. "I do not want you to beg. I want you to see me. To know I was wrong."

Her chest rose fast. Her tears shone.

"You told me I was weak," she whispered.

His jaw clenched. "I lied."

The air burned between them.

She lowered the knife, slow. Her hand shook.

Her wolf whispered. "He speaks truth."

Her voice trembled. "Then why?"

He stepped closer. His words came out raw. "Because I was afraid. Afraid of losing you. Afraid you would break. Afraid I would break."

Her breath hitched. The bond surged between them, strong as fire.

She whispered, "You broke me anyway."

He flinched.

He reached out, slow. His hand brushed her arm. Heat shot through them.

Her body shook. Her wolf pressed against him.

Her mind screamed to pull away. But her heart leaned closer.

Tears slid down her cheeks.

His voice was rough. "Let me fix this."

Her voice cracked. "You cannot."

Silence pressed hard. The night hummed.

Still, neither pulled back.

The moon sank lower.

Aria sat by the fire she built. Kael sat across from her. The air between them was tense.

She tore bread in her hands. She ate in silence.

He watched her. His jaw tight.

Finally she spoke. "You will not stop following me, will you?"

His voice was steady. "No."

Her shoulders sagged. Her eyes flicked to him. "Why?"

He held her gaze. "Because you are mine. And I am yours."

Her chest throbbed at the words. Her throat closed.

She looked away. "You already said otherwise."

His wolf snarled inside him. He leaned forward. "I said words. They do not kill a bond."

Her hands tightened on the bread. Her eyes glistened.

She whispered. "They killed me."

He froze. The words pierced him.

His chest ached. His wolf howled inside.

He spoke low. "Then let me bring you back."

She stared at the fire. Her lips pressed thin.

The bond pulsed strong between them.

Hours passed. They did not sleep.

The fire burned low.

Aria's eyes lifted to his. Her voice was quiet. "You still feel it."

He nodded. His throat tight. "Every second."

Her wolf stirred. Her chest ached.

Her voice shook. "So do I."

He reached across the fire. His hand brushed hers.

The touch burned. The bond roared alive.

Her breath caught. She did not pull away.

Her heart pounded. Her wolf pressed close to him.

But her mind whispered caution.

Her voice came soft. "If you want me, fight for me. Do not humiliate me again. Do not break me again."

His eyes locked on hers. His voice held steel. "I will fight."

Her chest fluttered.

She whispered. "Then prove it."

The bond pulsed, alive, demanding.

Neither looked away.

Kael rose as dawn broke.

Aria sat still by the fire. Her hair fell loose around her face. Her eyes followed him.

He said, "I will send word to your father. He will not worry."

Her jaw tightened. "Do not involve him."

He nodded. He respected her words.

She stood. Her pack was light, but her heart was heavier.

She walked past him. "We move. If you follow, then follow in silence."

His wolf stirred. He obeyed.

They moved together into the trees.

Their bond pulsed with every step. Strong. Alive. Unbreakable.

Neither spoke, but both knew. This was not the end. This was the beginning.