The night after the ambush, the Moonstone Pack felt like a kingdom on the verge of war. The tension was thick, stretching over the estate like a dark storm cloud, pressing against every wolf who walked the halls.
Aria barely slept.
How could she, when she could still feel Lucian’s gaze on her? When she could still hear the eerie silence of the Shadow Order’s assassins as they studied her, as if she was nothing more than a weapon waiting to be activated?
She had thought she was hunted.
Now, she wasn’t so sure.
What if this wasn’t just about killing her?
What if they were waiting for something?
She tossed the covers aside and got out of bed. The cold floor sent a shiver up her spine as she padded toward the window, staring out at the dense forest surrounding the estate. The moon was high, its silver light spilling over the treetops like liquid metal.
Somewhere out there, Lucian was waiting.
Somewhere out there, the Shadow Order was watching.
A knock at her door made her tense.
For a second, she hesitated.
Then—
“Come in.”
The door creaked open, and Dante stepped inside, his silver-streaked hair still damp from the rain that had started falling earlier in the evening. His blue eyes flicked to her, taking in her posture, her exhaustion.
“You’re awake,” he murmured.
Aria let out a soft breath, running a hand through her tangled hair. “So are you.”
Dante closed the door behind him and leaned against it, arms crossed. He didn’t say anything for a moment, just studied her like he was searching for something she wasn’t saying.
Finally, he asked, “What’s keeping you up?”
She almost laughed. Where should she start?
The Shadow Order. The growing war. The fact that her entire existence was based on a lie?
She settled for saying, “Take your pick.”
Dante’s lips twitched slightly, but there was no amusement in his eyes. He pushed off the door and crossed the room, stopping in front of her.
Then, quietly, “You’re thinking about him.”
Lucian.
Aria stiffened but didn’t deny it. “He let us go.”
Dante nodded. “Yeah. And that bothers me.”
Aria exhaled sharply, turning away to stare out the window again. “Because it means we don’t know what he really wants.”
“Exactly.”
Dante was too close now. She could feel the warmth radiating off of him, the heat of his presence pressing against her skin. Unlike Sebastian and Kai, who always carried their emotions like armor, Dante was harder to read.
But right now?
Right now, she could feel his concern.
“Sebastian wants to prepare for war,” she said, her voice quieter. “But what if this is more than that?”
Dante studied her carefully. “You think it’s personal.”
Aria turned back to him. “I think we don’t know enough to assume anything yet.”
Dante’s blue eyes darkened. He reached out, brushing his fingers against her wrist, a fleeting touch, but enough to make her heart stutter.
“You’re right,” he said. “And that’s exactly why we need to act first.”
She frowned. “What do you mean?”
Dante hesitated. Then, finally, he murmured, “I have a contact.”
Aria stiffened. “Another rogue?”
Dante shook his head. “Someone who used to work for the Shadow Order.”
Aria’s breath hitched. “You knew someone from—”
“Yes,” he cut in. “And if we want answers, she’s our best shot.”
Aria’s pulse pounded.
Sebastian would never approve of this.
But…
She needed to know.
She swallowed hard. “Where is she?”
Dante’s lips curled into a small, knowing smirk.
“Waiting for us.”
The next morning, Aria barely had time to think before she was already sneaking out again.
Dante had left before dawn to secure their meeting, but he had left her a clear message.
Meet me at the west gate.
She didn’t hesitate.
She pulled on her gear, strapping her daggers into place before slipping out of the estate, moving quickly through the quiet corridors.
She didn’t look back.
If Sebastian or Kai found out—if they stopped her—
She wouldn’t get another chance.
The moment she stepped beyond the pack’s border, Dante was already waiting, leaning against a tree, his arms crossed.
“You’re late.”
Aria smirked. “You didn’t give me much notice.”
Dante pushed off the tree and started walking. “Come on.”
She followed without hesitation.
They moved fast, cutting through the dense forest, their footsteps silent against the damp earth.
The deeper they went, the more Aria’s instincts prickled.
She didn’t like this.
Dante was good at keeping secrets, but something about this felt different.
“Who is she?” Aria asked finally.
Dante didn’t slow his pace. “Someone who was never supposed to leave the Shadow Order alive.”
Aria frowned. “And yet, here we are.”
Dante smirked. “Exactly.”
The tension in Aria’s chest tightened.
The last time she had followed Dante into the unknown, they had been ambushed.
But this time?
This time felt worse.
They reached the meeting point by midday. A small cabin, hidden deep within the forest, covered in moss and decay. It looked abandoned, untouched.
But Aria knew better.
Dante stepped forward, knocking twice against the wooden door.
Silence.
Then—
A lock clicked.
The door creaked open, revealing a woman.
She was older, maybe late forties, with scarred hands and sharp, piercing gray eyes. Her presence was calculating, like she was always assessing a threat before it could strike.
She didn’t look at Dante.
She looked at Aria.
And then—
She laughed.
Aria stiffened. “What’s so funny?”
The woman smirked, stepping back to let them inside. “You’re exactly what I expected.”
Aria glanced at Dante, who just shrugged before stepping inside.
Aria hesitated, then followed.
The cabin was small, cluttered with old books, maps, and weapons. It smelled like damp wood and ink, a strange combination that made her stomach twist.
The woman shut the door behind them and turned back, arms crossed.
“So,” she said, studying Aria with an expression too knowing for comfort. “You’re the girl they’ve been hunting.”
Aria tensed.
“You know who I am.”
The woman smirked. “I know what you are.”
Aria’s pulse pounded. “And what’s that?”
The woman tilted her head slightly, her gray eyes gleaming.
“A mistake.”
The air shifted.
Aria didn’t even realize she had moved until Dante’s hand was suddenly on her wrist, grounding her.
“Careful,” Dante murmured, just loud enough for her to hear. “She’s not our enemy.”
Aria forced herself to breathe.
Not yet, anyway.
The woman leaned against the wooden table, watching them. “You want the truth? Fine. I’ll give it to you.”
She exhaled slowly, crossing her arms.
“The Shadow Order didn’t create you, girl.”
Aria frowned. “What?”
The woman’s smirk faded.
“They’ve been looking for you.”
Aria’s stomach twisted. “That doesn’t make sense.”
The woman’s eyes darkened.
“They didn’t make you,” she said quietly.
“They’ve been trying to copy you.”
Aria froze.
The world tilted.
Everything she thought she knew—everything she had feared—
It was worse.