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Chapter 9: Aria

A bright half-moon illuminated the forest in patterns of silver filigree and formless darkness. I was part of that darkness, slinking between the trees in the deepest shadows so my auburn fur wouldn’t give me away. Taking care not to step where the moonlight spilled through the canopy, I glided quickly over the grass, my nose attuned to the smell of prey.

The rollercoaster of emotions I’d endured over the past couple of days kept coming back to me in flickers. I tried not to let myself be distracted by the gravity of my parents’ rejection. If anything, thinking about how they stood by while I was kicked out of the café just made me angrier. It filled me with the ambition to prove that I could take care of myself, and not only that— but that I was a capable wolf, I was more than my Alpha training. I could hunt, fight, or do whatever my pack needed of me! Even if they didn’t want me now, I’d prove what I was worth! Those thoughts kept me focused on my mission long enough to track down the scent of a young deer. My stomach gurgled with excitement and desperate hunger. I hadn’t eaten all day and hoped my eagerness wouldn’t botch my hunt. My heart couldn’t take another failure.

I pointed my body in the direction of the smell, moving fast and low like an arrow.

The scent was already ten minutes old, which meant I’d have to move fast to find the deer. I ducked and wove between the trees, keeping my eyes

peeled for my prey, my confidence rising as the scent grew stronger.

Then, in the middle of a clearing bathed in moonlight, I saw the deer grazing peacefully. It must have been a fawn from earlier that spring, just now losing its spots, its mother nowhere in sight. I dropped down to stalk closer to the animal, my tail twitching in anticipation. My muscles coiled, ready to strike. I held my breath and waited as the deer slowly stepped away, turning its back on me…

Only for a growl to rip through the air. The deer looked up and leaped away at the same time that two bodies came hurtling out of the trees into the clearing, enveloping one another in teeth and nails.

I shot upright, my eyes wide—first came the shock, then frustration as I realized my dinner was getting away. Turning on my heel, I almost gave chase before recognizing one of the wolves locked in combat. Even in the moonlight, I knew that silver colouration, the hints of black fringing his hackles and tail—it was Luke! His massive body was tense, muscles rippling under his fur as he braced himself against his assailant.

What was he doing out here?

Clearly, he’d gotten himself involved in some kind of trouble because the wolf fighting him showed no signs of stopping even after Luke broke contact, backing away and snarling in warning. The other wolf bared its teeth and advanced on him, waving their tail high with challenge.

I second-guessed whether it was wise to expose myself, but in the time I spent deliberating, two more wolves appeared out of the darkness, surrounding Luke. Now he was outnumbered.