Chapter 5 A King’s Fury

Aria's breath caught in her throat as the figure stepped into the dim light, revealing features she hadn't seen in years but could never forget. The sharp jawline, the piercing blue eyes that once held warmth but now gleamed with a cold, calculating light.

"Lucas?" she whispered, disbelief lacing her voice.

A slow, humorless smile spread across his face. "Hello, Aria. It's been a long time."

Memories crashed over her—days spent playing in sunlit meadows, whispered secrets under the stars, and the heartbreaking day he vanished without a trace. Her childhood friend, presumed dead, now stood before her, a stranger cloaked in menace.

"What… how are you here?" she stammered, taking an involuntary step back.

His eyes flicked over her, assessing, calculating. "I could ask you the same question. The Omega servant, now the Lycan King's mate. Quite the rise in station."

Aria's wolf bristled at his tone, a mix of mockery and disdain. "I didn't choose this," she shot back. "And you—where have you been? Everyone thought you were dead."

"Dead?" Lucas chuckled, a low, mirthless sound. "No, not dead. I've been… elsewhere, gathering strength, waiting for the right moment."

"Waiting? For what?" Aria demanded, confusion and anger swirling within her.

His gaze hardened. "To reclaim what's mine."

Before she could react, the door behind Lucas creaked open, and two guards entered, their faces expressionless.

"Time's up," one of them barked. "The King wants her back in her quarters."

Lucas's smile faded, replaced by a mask of indifference. "Until next time, Aria."

As the guards escorted her away, Aria's mind raced. The boy she once knew had become a man shrouded in secrets and danger. And his parting words echoed ominously in her mind.

Back in her quarters, Aria paced the small room, her thoughts a tangled web of fear and confusion. The bond with Kael pulsed faintly, a constant reminder of her precarious position. She needed answers, but the palace walls seemed to close in tighter with each passing moment.

A soft knock at the door jolted her from her thoughts. She tensed, half-expecting another unwelcome visitor.

"Aria?" a familiar voice called softly.

Relief washed over her as she opened the door to find Lila standing there, her silver eyes filled with concern.

"Lila," Aria breathed. "What are you doing here?"

"I heard about what happened," Lila said, slipping inside and closing the door behind her. "Are you okay?"

Aria shook her head, the events of the night overwhelming her. "I don't know. Everything's so… twisted."

Lila's gaze sharpened. "Tell me everything."

As Aria recounted her encounter with Lucas, Lila listened intently, her expression growing more troubled with each detail.

"This isn't good," Lila murmured when Aria finished. "If Lucas is involved, it means there's more at play here than we realized."

"What do you mean?" Aria asked, dread curling in her stomach.

"Lucas was always ambitious," Lila explained. "But disappearing for years and then reappearing now? It can't be a coincidence. He must have plans, and given his interest in you, you're likely a part of them."

Aria's heart pounded. "What should I do?"

Lila met her gaze, determination shining in her eyes. "You need to be careful. Trust no one, not even those you once considered friends. The palace is a nest of vipers, and one wrong move could be your last."

Aria swallowed hard, the weight of Lila's words pressing down on her. "And Kael? Should I tell him?"

Lila hesitated. "The King is powerful, but he has his own agenda. If you tell him, it could either protect you or put you in more danger. You need to decide if you can trust him."

The bond pulsed again, a reminder of the complex connection she shared with Kael. Could she trust him? Did she have a choice?

The next morning, Aria was summoned to Kael's chambers. The guards' expressions were unreadable as they led her through the labyrinthine corridors. Her mind raced, replaying Lila's warning and the haunting encounter with Lucas.

As the heavy doors to Kael's chambers swung open, Aria steeled herself, determined to find answers.

Kael stood by the window, his back to her, the morning light casting a golden halo around him. He turned as she entered, his onyx eyes locking onto hers with an intensity that made her breath catch.

"Aria," he said, his voice a deep rumble. "We need to talk."

She nodded, her throat dry. "Yes, we do."

He gestured to a chair by the fireplace. "Sit."

She complied, the tension between them palpable. Kael remained standing, his gaze never leaving her.

"There's been a development," he began. "A threat within the palace walls."

Aria's heart skipped a beat. "What kind of threat?"

"An old acquaintance of yours," Kael said, his tone measured. "Lucas."

Her blood ran cold. "You know about him?"

Kael's eyes narrowed. "I know more than you think. He's dangerous, Aria. And his return complicates things."

She swallowed hard. "He… he said he wants to reclaim what's his. What does that mean?"

Kael's jaw tightened. "It means he's after power. And he sees you as a means to that end."

"Me?" Aria's voice trembled. "But why?"

"Because of the bond," Kael said bluntly. "As my mate, you hold a position of influence. Lucas aims to exploit that."

Aria's mind reeled. "What can we do?"

Kael stepped closer, his gaze piercing. "We must be vigilant. Trust no one. And, Aria, if you have any information—anything at all—you need to tell me."

She hesitated, Lila's warning echoing in her mind. Could she trust Kael? The bond between them pulsed, urging her to confide in him.

"There's something else," she said finally. "A voice… I've been hearing a voice, whispering threats."

Kael's expression darkened. "What kind of threats?"

"That I'll never survive this," Aria whispered. "That I'm playing a game I don't understand."

Kael's eyes flashed with anger. "Lucas."

"You think it's him?" she asked, fear tightening her chest.

It fits his methods," Kael said grimly. "He's trying to destabilize you, to make you doubt yourself—and me."

Aria's wolf stirred, sensing the gravity of the situation. "What should I do?"

Kael reached out, his hand hovering near her cheek before he pulled back. "Stay close.