Chapter five:bounded by moonlight

The journey to Enigma was unlike anything Aria had imagined.

Kael had carried her through the Veil — a glowing portal nestled deep in the heart of the ancient forest. On the other side, the world was different: brighter, older, wilder. The sky burned silver even in daylight, and the air hummed with power. This was no ordinary land.

This was the realm of Alphas.

Dozens of wolves watched their arrival from the edge of the cliffs, all bowing as Kael passed. His aura radiated dominance, his steps thundered like prophecy — and she, walking beside him in the cloak he’d given her, felt all their eyes on her.

Some full of awe.

Others full of doubt.

“She’s human-born,” someone whispered.

“She’s his mate,” another growled back. “She carries the moon’s mark.”

Kael stopped in front of the obsidian gates of his fortress — an elegant, ancient structure carved into the side of a black mountain. He turned to his pack and raised his voice.

“This is Aria Moonveil — daughter of Selene, my fated mate, and future Queen of Enigma.”

Silence fell.

Then, one by one, wolves lowered their heads in submission.

Aria swallowed hard. She was no longer just a girl from Silverpine. She was something more. And that realization sat heavy on her shoulders.

Inside the Fortress

Kael guided her to a private chamber—lavish but carved from stone, decorated in pelts, moonsteel weapons, and celestial runes that glowed faintly.

“You’ll be safe here,” he said, closing the door behind her. “No one enters without my command.”

She turned to him. “You didn’t have to announce me like that.”

He stepped closer. “You are not a secret, Aria. You are a storm. A queen. And I will never let you hide who you are again.”

Her heart fluttered.

Then he cupped her face, his thumb brushing the edge of her lip.

“I know it’s overwhelming. But you were born for this.”

She leaned into his touch before whispering, “Then teach me. How to survive here. How to… be what I’m meant to be.”

Kael’s eyes darkened. “You have no idea what that does to me when you say things like that.”

He kissed her — slow, deep, with all the restraint of a king who wanted to worship every inch of his mate.

But before the kiss could deepen, there was a knock at the door.

Kael snarled.

“It’s fine,” Aria whispered, smiling breathlessly. “Later.”

Training Grounds — Enigma Courtyard

The next morning, Aria was introduced to a woman with lean muscles, short silver hair, and a mischievous smirk.

“This is Lira, my Beta’s mate and your personal guard,” Kael said.

Lira gave a low bow. “It’s an honor to protect a goddess. Even a baby one.”

Aria laughed. “Thanks… I think.”

“We’re starting light,” Lira said, tossing her a wooden staff. “Show me how you move.”

They sparred for nearly an hour. Aria was faster than she’d ever been, her instincts sharper, her balance flawless. And when Lira swung high, Aria didn’t block — she sensed it coming and ducked before the blow even landed.

Lira stepped back, whistling. “You’ve never trained before?”

“No,” Aria panted.

“You just moved like a seer in battle. That’s divine blood. Damn.”

Kael watched from above, his arms crossed, his eyes locked on Aria like she was the sun and moon combined.

“She’s awakening,” he murmured to Dorian beside him.

The Beta nodded. “But with power like that, Auron will come sooner than expected.”

That Night

Alone in her chamber, Aria stared at her reflection in the mirror. Her eyes glowed faintly now. Her skin shimmered with energy. She no longer looked fully human.

And she didn’t feel human either.

Kael entered quietly behind her, bare-chested, his presence sending a thrill down her spine.

“You’re changing,” he said.

“So are you,” she replied. “You look at me differently.”

“I see you for what you are,” he said, wrapping his arms around her from behind. “Powerful. Mine.”

His lips brushed her neck.

Aria turned in his arms, pulled him down to her, and kissed him like she meant it.

This time, there was no restraint.

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