The sun dipped lower as Kael finally left Aria and Ren alone for their training exercise. The moment his brother went inside the mansion, Ren's usual playful grin returned. "Ready to escape, little moonflower?" he whispered. Aria glanced nervously at the guards placed at the garden edges. "They'll see us." "No, they won't." Ren winked. "I've been sneaking out of this place since I was a pup."
He took her hand and pulled her toward a tall bush. "Trust me." Something about his touch felt right. Different from Dax's quiet power or Kael's commanding presence. Ren's energy flowed into her like sunshine. "Here," he said, pushing aside branches to show a narrow gap in the hedge. "Our secret exit." They squeezed through into the trees beyond. Aria's heart raced with a mix of fear and joy. "Won't your father be angry?" she asked as they rushed through the trees. "Always," Ren laughed. "But I'm taking you for 'endurance training,' remember?" He led her deeper into the woods, following a path only he could see. The trees thinned as they climbed higher ground. "Where are we going?" Aria asked. "Crescent Cliffs," Ren answered. "My favorite place in our territory." The forest opened suddenly to show a stunning view. Jagged rocks curved like a half-moon, overlooking the entire valley. The setting sun turned everything gold. "Beautiful," Aria whispered. "Like you," Ren said, but without his normal flirtatious tone. His golden eyes were serious. He led her to a flat rock near the edge. "Careful.
The drop is steep." They sat together, legs hanging over the massive drop. Wind tugged at Aria's hair, making her feel strangely free. "You promised to help me meet Moira tonight," she said after a moment. "And I will." Ren picked up a small stone, turning it in his fingers. "But first, I wanted you to see this place. To see me." "See you?" "The real me." He tossed the stone into the vast empty space. "Not the joker everyone thinks I am." Aria studied his face against the sunset. Without his grin, Ren looked older. Sadder. "Why do you pretend?" He shrugged. "It's easy. Kael was born to lead. Dax was born to think. I was just...born." "That's not true," Aria said. "You're—" "The spare," he finished bitterly. "The extra triplet who likes to cause trouble." Something in his voice made her heart ache. She'd never considered that his constant jokes might hide pain. "Is that why you brought me here?" she asked softly. "To show me who you really are?" Ren turned to face her fully, his golden eyes burning with unexpected intensity. "I brought you here because this is the only place I feel real," he said. "And I want to be real with you, Aria." He touched her marked wrist softly. "Not because of this. Not because of some omen or mate bond. Just because of you." The truthfulness in his voice made Aria's chest tighten. For a moment, she forgot about Kael's desire and Dax's mysteries. There was only Ren, looking at her like she mattered. "I don't know what to say." "Say you'll give me a fair chance," he responded. "When this mate competition is over, don't choose my brother just because he's the heir." "I don't care about titles," Aria assured him. Ren smiled, a real smile without any hint of his usual mockery. "That's why I think I'm falling in love with you." The words hung between them, honest and scary. Before Aria could reply, a howl echoed across the valley. Ren tensed. "Patrol wolves," he explained. "They've noticed we're missing." "We should go back," Aria said, suddenly remembering Moira's advice. "Not yet." Ren pulled a small package from his pocket. "I have something for you first."
He unwrapped a delicate silver chain with a small amber charm. "It was my mother's," he revealed. "She gave it to me before she died." "Ren, I can't take this." "You can," he urged, fastening it around her neck. "It's safety. Old magic." "From what?" His eyes darkened. "From whatever's hunting you." Aria's blood cooled. "Hunting me?" "Don't pretend you haven't felt it," Ren said. "The shades that watch from the trees. The whispers when no one's there." The pendant warmed against her skin. In her pocket, Moira's amulet seemed to pulse in answer. "What do you know about me?" she whispered. "I know you're not an omega," Ren said simply. "I know my brothers and I shouldn't all feel the mate link with you. And I know you're changing." He touched her cheek gently. "Your eyes flash silver when you're emotional. Did you know that?" Aria shook her head. "Whatever you are," Ren continued, "there are others who sense it. Dangerous others." Another scream, closer now. "We need to go," Ren sighed, standing and pulling her up. "But first..." He leaned forward and brushed his lips softly against hers. The touch was gentle but sent electricity through Aria's entire body. The mark on her wrist flared bright, and the ring at her throat glowed amber. Ren pulled back, eyes wide. "Did you feel that?" Aria nodded, unable to speak. The link between them had been like nothing she'd ever felt. "Come on," he said, taking her hand again. "I know a shortcut back."
They raced through the darkening forest, taking a different way down the cliffs. Ren moved with the ease of someone who had traveled these woods a thousand times. "Almost there," he panted as they ran. "Just past these—" A figure stepped into their path. Lyra stood blocking their way, her face twisted with rage. "Found you," she growled. "Move, Lyra," Ren ordered. "We're heading back now." "Oh, I don't think so." Lyra's eyes gleamed in the fading light. "Alpha Thorne is angry. He thinks she's fled." "We were training," Ren countered. "Lying doesn't suit you, Ren." Lyra stepped closer. "I saw you kiss her." Aria felt Ren tense beside her. "What do you want, Lyra?" he asked. A wicked smile spread across Lyra's face. "I want her to disappear." From the shadows behind Lyra, three more wolves emerged. Pack members loyal to Lyra's family. "Take the omega," Lyra ordered. "Make sure she never returns." Ren pushed Aria behind him, his body shifting partly to wolf form. "Run," he whispered. "Back up the cliff path. Find Dax." "I won't leave you," Aria argued. "You must." His eyes flashed wolf-gold. "Go now!" As the dogs lunged at Ren, Aria turned and fled back up the path. Snarls and growls echoed behind her. Tears blurred her view as she ran. The pendant at her throat pulsed stronger with each step. In her pocket, Moira's charm burned hot against her leg. Both seemed to be pulling her in different directions.
As Aria reached the rocks again, a piercing howl cut through the night—Ren's voice, filled with pain. She froze, torn between running back to help him and following his order to find safety. The moon was rising, almost full and tinged with red. The red moon Moira had mentioned. A shadow moved at the edge of the cliff. "Hello, daughter," Moira stepped into view, her violet eyes glowing in the growing darkness. "It's time." "I can't," Aria cried. "Ren is fighting—" "And he will die if you go back," Moira said firmly. "They all will, unless you learn the truth tonight." From far below, another howl rose—not Ren's voice, but something older. Something hungry. "What is that?" Aria whispered. "The past," Moira answered. "Coming to claim what was stolen." The pendant and amulet both blazed with light now, one amber, one silver, pulling Aria in different directions. "Choose," Moira ordered. "The boy or your destiny." As if in answer, a horrifying scream echoed from the trees below.