Embers of the Forbidden Moon

Chapter 3: The Cold Alpha

       The sun was barely peeking over the horizon when Aria awoke in her new quarters, the room still shrouded in the shadows of the night. Her mind was already alert, the events of the past few days playing on a loop in her head. She had left everything she knew behind, all in the name of duty, and now found herself in unfamiliar territory, surrounded by a pack that regarded her with suspicion and disdain. The bond with Kael, forged in fire and necessity, weighed heavily on her.Aria rose from the bed, the coldness of the stone floor biting into her feet. She crossed the room to the window, pushing aside the heavy curtains to let in the first light of day. 

The landscape outside was stark, the dark woods stretching endlessly, a stark contrast to the warm, welcoming forests of her home in the Emberwood Pack. Here, everything felt colder, more hostile, and as she gazed out into the distance, she felt that same coldness settle deep within her chest.

Kael was already gone, as he had been every morning since their arrival. He left before dawn, returning only late at night, and even then, their interactions were brief, formal, and distant. There was no warmth in his words, no sign of the connection they were supposed to share as mates. He was an enigma, a wall of icy resolve that she could not break through, no matter how hard she tried.

A soft knock on the door pulled Aria from her thoughts. She turned to see one of the pack members, a young woman named Elara, standing hesitantly in the doorway. Aria had met her on her first day in Nightshade territory, and though Elara was one of the few who did not openly scorn her, there was still a palpable distance between them.

"Good morning, Luna," Elara said, bowing her head slightly. "Alpha Kael asked me to inform you that he'll be training with the warriors today. He suggested you join them if you wish."

Aria nodded, suppressing a sigh. Of course, he hadn't come to tell her himself. She wondered if Kael's avoidance was deliberate, or if he simply didn't care enough to notice how isolated she felt. "Thank you, Elara. I'll be there shortly."

As Elara left, Aria took a deep breath, steeling herself for the day ahead. She dressed quickly, choosing practical clothes suited for training, and pulled her fiery red hair into a tight braid. The reflection that stared back at her from the small mirror was that of a woman determined not to let the coldness around her seep into her soul. She would not be defeated by this new life, no matter how difficult it became.

The training grounds were located on the outskirts of the village, a wide-open space surrounded by towering trees. As Aria approached, she could already see the warriors sparring, their movements swift and precise. Kael stood at the center of it all, his presence commanding, even among the most skilled fighters.

When she arrived, the warriors paused, their eyes turning towards her. The weight of their stares was heavy, but Aria held her head high, refusing to show any sign of weakness. She caught Kael's gaze for a brief moment, but his expression remained impassive, unreadable.

"Luna," Kael greeted her, his tone as cold as the morning air. "You're welcome to join us in training. It's important that you understand how we fight here in Nightshade."

Aria nodded, stepping into the circle. "I'm here to learn," she replied, her voice steady. "And to prove that I'm more than capable of holding my own."