Chapter 4

The tension inside the flower shop hung heavy in the air, as if the weight of the stranger’s presence had sucked all the oxygen out of the room. Aria’s heartbeat thundered in her chest, her fingers tightening around the small vial of salt she’d instinctively grabbed. Damon had stepped forward, placing himself between her and the intruder, his broad shoulders a silent barrier of protection.

The stranger tilted his head, his predatory gaze flickering between them. He wasn’t just an ordinary wolf; there was something more dangerous about him. His dark, almost soulless eyes gleamed with a sinister intelligence, his smirk revealing sharp, elongated canines that glinted in the dim light.

“I didn’t come to fight,” the man said, though his tone suggested otherwise. “I came to deliver a message from Silas Moore.”

At the mention of Silas’s name, Damon’s posture grew even more rigid, his muscles coiled like a spring ready to snap. His voice, low and measured, carried an edge that sent shivers down Aria’s spine. “You’ve got five seconds to leave, or I’ll deliver my own message to Silas—one he won’t forget.”

The stranger chuckled, the sound deep and menacing. “Always so hostile, Damon. But I’ll play along.” He reached into his jacket and pulled out a small, rolled parchment, tossing it onto the counter with a flick of his wrist. “Silas wants you to know that he hasn’t forgotten about the Moonrise Pack. He’s giving you one last chance to surrender your territory before he takes it by force. Oh, and...” His eyes shifted to Aria, a crooked grin spreading across his face. “He’s very interested in your little... witch here.”

Aria felt her stomach churn at his words, the blood draining from her face. Damon’s growl filled the room, low and threatening, a sound that made the hairs on the back of her neck stand on end.

“You don’t touch her,” Damon snarled, his voice like a thunderclap.

The stranger held up his hands in mock surrender. “Relax, Alpha. I’m just the messenger. But you might want to tell your little florist here to be careful. Silas doesn’t like to be told no. And he always gets what he wants.”

Without another word, the man turned on his heel and strolled out of the shop, his movements leisurely, as though he had no fear of Damon following him. The bell above the door chimed softly as it shut, and the shop fell into a heavy silence.

For a moment, neither Aria nor Damon moved. The only sound was the faint hum of the overhead lights and the wild thrum of Aria’s heart. Finally, Damon turned to her, his deep blue eyes filled with a mixture of concern and anger.

“Are you okay?” he asked, his voice softer now, but still edged with tension.

Aria forced herself to nod, though her legs felt like jelly and her hands were trembling. “Who was that?” she demanded, her voice sharper than she intended.

Damon hesitated, running a hand through his silver hair. “One of Silas’s lackeys. He likes to send his minions to do his dirty work.”

“And who is Silas?” Aria pressed, her hazel eyes narrowing. “Why is he sending people to threaten me? What does he want from me?”

Damon’s jaw tightened, and for a moment, she thought he wouldn’t answer. But then he sighed, the weight of the truth heavy in his voice. “Silas is the Alpha of the Bloodmoon Pack. He’s... dangerous. Ruthless. He’s been trying to expand his territory for years, and he doesn’t care who he has to destroy to get what he wants. My pack barely survived the last war with him.” His gaze locked onto hers, intense and unyielding. “And now he’s after you.”

Aria felt a chill creep down her spine. “Me? Why? I’m just a florist.”

“No, you’re not,” Damon said, stepping closer, his voice firm. “You’re more than that, Aria. Silas knows it, and so do I.”

Her eyes widened in shock and anger. “You’ve been spying on me?”

“No,” Damon said quickly, though his expression betrayed a flicker of guilt. “I didn’t know the full extent of it until now. But it’s clear Silas does. He’s always looking for ways to gain an advantage, and if he thinks he can use you—your magic—to tip the scales in his favor, he won’t stop until he has you.”

Aria shook her head, backing away from him. “No. This isn’t happening. I don’t want any part of this... this war or whatever it is you’re dealing with. I’ve spent my whole life running from my family and their magic. I’m not about to get dragged into some pack feud because of you.”

Damon’s expression hardened, and he stepped forward, his voice steady and resolute. “You don’t have a choice, Aria. Silas has already set his sights on you. Whether you like it or not, you’re involved now.”

She glared at him, her fiery red hair catching the light as she turned away. “This is exactly why I keep to myself. This is why I don’t trust anyone. People like you bring nothing but trouble.”

“People like me?” Damon echoed, his tone laced with frustration. “I’m trying to protect you, Aria. You don’t understand how dangerous Silas is.”

“I don’t need your protection!” she snapped, her voice trembling with a mixture of fear and anger. “I’ve been taking care of myself for years, without anyone’s help. I don’t need some Alpha wolf barging into my life and telling me what to do.”

Damon stared at her, his deep blue eyes filled with a mixture of anger and something else—something softer, more vulnerable. “Fine,” he said after a moment, his voice low. “But whether you want my help or not, I’m not going to let Silas take you. I’ll fight him myself if I have to.”

Before Aria could respond, the faint howl of a wolf echoed in the distance, cutting through the tense silence like a blade. Damon’s head snapped toward the sound, his expression instantly alert.

“They’re close,” he muttered, his voice grave. “We need to leave. Now.”

Aria hesitated, her instincts screaming at her to stay and fight, to prove she could handle this on her own. But deep down, she knew Damon was right. She wasn’t ready for this—not yet.

Reluctantly, she nodded, grabbing a small satchel from behind the counter and stuffing it with a few vials of protective herbs and salt. Damon opened the door, scanning the street for any sign of movement before motioning for her to follow.

As they stepped out into the cool night air, Aria couldn’t help but glance over her shoulder, her heart heavy with dread. She had spent years building a quiet, solitary life in Lunar Falls, hiding from her past and the magic that had always been a part of her. But now, with Silas’s shadow looming over her, she realized that her peaceful existence was slipping away, piece by piece.

And as much as she hated to admit it, Damon Knight might be the only person who could help her survive the storm that was coming.