CHAPTER 41 – The Fire Within

POV: Aira Moonstone

Thud.

Silence.

Smith hit the ground so hard, a puff of dust followed the impact. Groans escaped his lips, and his limbs curled toward his chest like a scolded pup.

Aira stood still. Not panting. Not blinking. Her hands were lowered now, fingers unclenched, but her stance radiated control—lethal control.

She hadn't meant to let go. Hadn't planned it. But something in her had snapped. And now the red aura that briefly pulsed around her like flickering flames had everyone frozen.

Lucien stood just beyond the training field, watching with that unreadable gaze of his. Not shocked. Not fearful. But… intrigued.

His wolf, Roman, stirred behind those haunting amber-green eyes.

But everyone else?

They looked at her like she was something else.

Something not from this pack.

Something not meant to exist.

Something… dangerous.

Aira turned away, ignoring the whispers as she quietly walked off the mat.

Her blood still roared. She wasn't sure if it was adrenaline or rage.

It didn't matter.

She needed to breathe.

She kept walking until she passed the outer edge of the training ground, reaching the sparse woods behind the arena. The quiet here was different—softer, cooler. The trees gave her peace she couldn't find among people.

She leaned against the nearest trunk, her arms crossed tightly over her chest.

"What the hell was that…" she whispered to herself, heart pounding.

Then her mind played the moment again.

The moment that flipped the switch.

The moment Smith smirked, cocky and careless, and said,"Be careful, little wolf."

Her stomach turned.

That name—those exact words—weren't just teasing.They were haunting.

Because someone else had said them once.

Someone far more terrifying.

The Rogue King.

"I've been waiting for you, little wolf," he had whispered, voice like silk over thorns. "My precious white wolf."

Just remembering made her throat tighten.

Her skin crawled.

Fear laced with fury boiled in her blood, and her wolf—silent for days—had responded.

Nina.

She hadn't spoken, hadn't even stirred since the silver chains. But that moment… that insult, that trigger—it was enough to crack the cage.

Aira lifted her hands and stared at them.

They were steady now, but seconds ago, they had felt like weapons.

She didn't remember thinking.

She just moved.

Flipped Smith flat on his back with a ferocity she didn't know she had. And it had felt… natural.

Not just instinct.

It had felt right.

Like something inside her had finally stretched awake.

"I'm not your little anything," she muttered to the trees, bitter fire in her voice.

And certainly not his.

The Rogue King would never touch her again. Not if she had anything to say about it.

She breathed in deep—pine and morning dew. Let it calm her.

Only then did she glance back.

Lucien was still there. A few feet away. Just… watching.

He hadn't said a word.

He hadn't come any closer.

But he hadn't left either.

His eyes locked on hers, and for a moment, something passed between them.

She didn't know what it was.

Curiosity? Protection? Connection?

His wolf called to hers—she could feel it. And yet, Nina remained silent, just resting somewhere deep inside her.

She whispered, "I miss you," and pressed her palm to her heart.

And as if she heard her, Aira felt the faintest flicker of warmth.

Nina wasn't gone.

Just… healing.

Just like her.