Chapter 6 A Game of Shadows

Aria sat frozen in her chair, Kael's onyx eyes fixed on her with the weight of the entire palace behind them. The flickering light of the fire cast sharp shadows across his face, accentuating the harshness of his jawline and the tension radiating from his every muscle.

"Stay close?" she echoed, her voice trembling. "What does that mean?"

Kael straightened, pacing toward the window, his hands clasped tightly behind his back. "It means Lucas isn't working alone," he said, his tone clipped. "If he's targeting you, he's likely working with others in the court. I need you where I can protect you."

Aria's chest tightened, her wolf bristling beneath her skin. "You mean where you can control me," she muttered, the words slipping out before she could stop them.

Kael turned sharply, his gaze narrowing. "Control you?" he repeated, his voice dangerously low. "Is that what you think this is?"

"You've made it clear what you think of me," she said, her voice rising despite the warning in his tone. "A liability. Weak. An Omega who doesn't belong here."

Kael's jaw tightened, but he didn't respond immediately. Instead, he crossed the room in two long strides, stopping just in front of her. He loomed over her, the sheer force of his presence making the air feel heavier.

"You're right," he said quietly, the firelight dancing in his eyes. "I do think you're weak. I think you're unprepared for the reality of this place—of this bond. But I also think that if Lucas or anyone else tries to use you against me, they'll learn just how wrong they are to underestimate you."

Aria blinked, stunned into silence by the unexpected words. His expression was as unreadable as ever, but there was something in his voice—a sliver of belief that caught her off guard.

Kael straightened, his gaze hardening once more. "You may not trust me, but you need to understand this: if Lucas is after you, it's because he sees your potential. And I can't afford to let him have the upper hand."

Aria's pulse quickened, her wolf stirring with a mix of unease and defiance. "So what now?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

Kael stepped back, crossing his arms. "Now, you learn how to defend yourself."

The training room was nothing like Aria had imagined. It was a cavernous space, lined with racks of weapons and padded with thick mats for sparring. The faint scent of sweat and steel lingered in the air, a sharp contrast to the polished elegance of the rest of the palace.

Kael stood in the center of the room, his arms crossed as he watched her with an intensity that made her stomach twist. Beside him was Garrick, his Beta, a man with broad shoulders, a steady gaze, and a confidence that seemed effortless.

"She's the one?" Garrick asked, raising an eyebrow as his eyes swept over Aria.

Kael nodded once. "She needs to learn the basics."

"The basics?" Garrick repeated, his lips quirking into a faint smile. "You mean not dying?"

"Exactly," Kael said flatly. He turned to Aria, his expression as unyielding as ever. "This isn't about making you a warrior. It's about giving you the tools to survive. You'll train with Garrick every morning until I say otherwise."

Aria's throat tightened, a mix of fear and frustration bubbling to the surface. "And if I refuse?"

Kael's gaze sharpened. "You don't have the luxury of refusing."

Garrick's smile widened slightly, but there was no humor in his eyes. "He's right. If Lucas or anyone else comes after you, they won't hesitate. You need to be ready."

Aria's wolf growled softly in the back of her mind, the bond humming faintly as Kael's presence pressed against her senses. She didn't want to admit it, but they were right. She couldn't afford to be defenseless—not here, not now.

"Fine," she said, squaring her shoulders. "Let's get this over with."

The first hour was brutal.

Garrick didn't hold back, his instructions sharp and relentless as he drilled her on the basics of self-defense. How to block a blow. How to break a hold. How to strike where it hurt the most.

"You're thinking too much," Garrick said as she hesitated, her movements awkward and sluggish. "Instinct, Aria. Use your instincts."

"I'm trying," she snapped, frustration boiling over as she stumbled back from another failed attempt to dodge his attack.

Trying isn't enough," Garrick said, his tone firm but not unkind. "Do it again."

Aria gritted her teeth, her wolf snarling in her chest as she forced herself to focus. She lunged forward, her movements faster this time, more deliberate. Garrick sidestepped her easily, but there was a flicker of approval in his gaze.

"Better," he said. "But you'll need to be faster if you want to survive someone like Lucas."

The mention of Lucas sent a chill down her spine, but it also stoked the fire of determination burning in her chest. She wasn't going to let him—or anyone else—see her as weak.

By the time the session ended, Aria's muscles ached, and her breaths came in sharp, ragged gasps. Sweat slicked her skin, and her legs trembled beneath her as she sank to the mat.

"You're stronger than you look," Garrick said, handing her a water flask. "But you've got a long way to go."

Aria took the flask, her hands shaking as she drank. "I'll get there," she said, her voice hoarse but resolute.

Garrick nodded, a faint smile tugging at his lips. "Good. Because you're going to need every ounce of strength you can muster."

That evening, Aria sat alone in her quarters, her body sore and her mind racing. The bond with Kael pulsed faintly, a constant reminder of his presence somewhere in the palace. She couldn't ignore it, no matter how much she wanted to.

Lila's warning echoed in her mind: Trust no one.

And yet, she couldn't shake the memory of Kael's words in the training room—the way he'd spoken of her potential, of her ability to defy expectations. It wasn't kindness, not exactly, but it was something she hadn't expected from him.

A knock at the door pulled her from her thoughts. Her heart leapt, her wolf stirring as she rose to her feet.

"Who is it?" she called, her voice steady despite the flicker of unease curling in her chest.

It's me." Kael's deep voice carried through the door, sending a jolt of surprise through her.

She hesitated for a moment before opening the door, her gaze meeting his as he stepped inside. He was still dressed in his formal attire, his jacket discarded and his sleeves rolled up, revealing the strength in his forearms.

"Did you need something?" she asked, wary of his sudden presence.

Kael's gaze swept over her, lingering on the faint bruises forming along her arms from training. "How was your first session with Garrick?"

"Tiring," she admitted. "But… helpful."

He nodded, his expression thoughtful. "Good. You'll need it."

"Why?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

Kael's eyes darkened, the bond flaring faintly as he stepped closer. "Because Lucas isn't the only threat in this palace. And if you want to survive, you'll need to be stronger than you've ever been."

His words hung heavy in the air, the weight of them pressing against her chest. She didn't know if she could be what he wanted, what the situation demanded—but she knew one thing for certain.

She wasn't going to give up without a fight.

Kael turned to leave, but paused in the doorway, his golden eyes meeting hers one last time.

"Sleep while you can," he said, his voice low and cold. "Because tomorrow, everything changes."

The door clicked shut behind him, leaving Aria alone with the weight of his warning and the storm brewing just beyond the horizon.