Embers of the Forbidden Moon

Chapter 10: The Aftermath

The dawn brought with it a new day, but for Aria and Kael, the morning light only deepened the shadows cast by the night before. The kiss they had shared was a fire that still burned in their thoughts, its embers sparking questions and doubts neither of them could easily ignore. As the pack began to stir with the early morning activities, Aria felt the weight of what had happened press heavily on her chest.

She stood by the window in her room, gazing out at the forest. The trees stood tall and resolute, a stark contrast to the turmoil within her. Her mind replayed the kiss, the intensity of it, the way it had made her feel alive and frightened all at once. It was a moment she had longed for and feared, a line crossed that could not be undone.

A soft knock on her door pulled her from her thoughts. She turned, her heart quickening as she wondered if it was Kael. But when the door opened, it was not the Alpha who stepped into her room, but Lyra, her closest friend in the pack. Lyra's expression was one of concern, her brow furrowed as she took in Aria's tense posture.

"Aria," Lyra said softly, closing the door behind her. "You look like you haven't slept at all."

Aria forced a small smile, though it didn't reach her eyes. "I guess I didn't. There's just... a lot on my mind."

Lyra nodded, crossing the room to stand beside her. "I can imagine. Things have been tense lately, especially after the fire. The pack is on edge."

Aria's stomach twisted at the mention of the fire. It was still a sore spot for her, a reminder of her loss of control and the potential danger she posed. "I know. I wish there was something I could do to ease their fears."

Lyra studied her for a moment before speaking again, her voice laced with curiosity. "Is that all that's troubling you? You seem... different, like there's something else going on."

Aria hesitated, the urge to confide in Lyra battling with her need to keep the kiss a secret. But Lyra had been a steadfast friend, someone she trusted more than anyone else in the pack. After a moment, she sighed and decided to share at least part of the truth.

"There is something else," Aria admitted, her voice barely above a whisper. "Something happened last night, something I didn't expect."

Lyra's eyes widened slightly, a spark of interest lighting in them. "What happened?"

Aria bit her lip, struggling to find the right words. "Kael and I... we kissed. It just happened, and now I don't know what to think."

For a moment, Lyra was silent, her expression unreadable. Then, slowly, a knowing smile curved her lips. "I had a feeling something was going on between you two. The way you look at each other... it's hard to miss."

Aria's cheeks flushed with embarrassment. "I didn't mean for it to happen, Lyra. It's just... I don't know. We've been through so much together, and there's this connection between us that I can't explain. But now that it's happened, I'm terrified of what it means."

Lyra placed a comforting hand on Aria's arm. "I understand, Aria. Kael is the Alpha, and you're... well, you're someone the pack doesn't fully trust yet. It's complicated."