Chapter 7: The Deal Continues

Aria's POV.

Maya shook his hand too, and I could see her approval in her eyes. She was always trying to set me up with someone. This was probably going to fuel her matchmaking schemes for months.

"Please, sit," I gestured to the meeting table. "Maya mentioned you were interested in protection amulets?"

"Yes." Lucian sat, and his posture was relaxed but alert. "I’ve heard excellent things about your work. Your concealment spells in particular are supposedly unbreakable."

"Not unbreakable," I corrected. "But very effective. What exactly were you looking to protect against?"

"We’ve been having issues with rogue attacks on our northern border. Traditional security isn’t enough. I need magical protection that can hide our pack boundaries and alert us to intruders."

He pulled out a map and spread it on the table, pointing to various locations.

As he talked, I found myself relaxing. He was professional, respectful, and actually listened when I explained the magical theory behind my work. Most Alphas just wanted results—they didn’t care how it worked.

"This would be a large project," I said finally. "We’re talking months of work. The cost would be significant."

"Money isn’t an issue." He looked directly at me. "I want the best, and from what I’ve heard, you’re the best."

Maya kicked me under the table. She was definitely going to gush about this later.

"I’d need to visit your territory," I continued. "See the land, understand the energy flows. I can't create effective wards without that."

"Of course. I can arrange for you to visit next week, if that works for you?"

"I have children," I said quickly. "I’d need to bring them or arrange care."

Something flickered in his eyes. 

"Bring them," he said. "Frostpeak is very family-friendly. We have excellent facilities for little children."

"They’re not—" I stopped myself. "They’re five. Is that okay?"

"Perfect age. My Beta has twins the same age. They can play together."

It was a generous offer. Maybe too generous.

"Why are you being so accommodating?" I asked bluntly.

Lucian smiled. "Because I’m not just looking to hire you for this one project, Aria. I’m looking for a long-term partnership. Someone I can trust to handle all of Frostpeak’s magical security needs."

"That’s a significant commitment."

"I know." He leaned forward slightly. "But I have a good feeling about you. Call it Alpha instinct."

Maya practically vibrated with excitement next to me.

"I’ll need to think about it," I said carefully.

"Of course. Take your time." He stood and handed me a business card. "My personal number. Call me when you decide."

He shook both our hands again and left.

As soon as the door closed, Maya exploded.

"Oh my God! Did you see him? He’s gorgeous! And rich! And he definitely likes you!"

"Maya—"

"Don’t 'Maya' me! That man was flirting with you the entire meeting!"

"He was being professional."

"Professional my ass. He invited your kids to his territory! Do you know how rare that is? Alphas don’t let outsiders near their children!"

I sank into a chair. "This is too much. I can’t take on a client this big. What if they run a background check? What if someone recognizes me?"

"Aria." Maya’s voice turned serious. "It’s been five years. You’ve changed your name, your appearance, everything. Even if someone from your old pack saw you, would they recognize you?"

I thought about it. My hair was shorter now, styled differently. I carried myself with confidence I never had before. I wasn’t the timid, broken girl who ran away in the middle of the night.

"Maybe not," I admitted.

"Besides, this opportunity is huge. We could finally get out of this small office. Maybe even buy a house for you and the twins."

A house. The twins deserved a house with a yard where they could play safely.

"Okay," I said finally. "I’ll call him tomorrow and accept the project."

Maya squealed and hugged me.

I hugged her back, ignoring the anxiety churning in my stomach.

What could possibly go wrong?

---

That evening, I was giving the twins their bath when my phone rang.

It was an unknown number.

I almost didn’t answer. Unknown numbers usually meant spam or trouble.

But something made me pick up.

"Hello?"

"Aria Stone?" A male voice I didn’t recognize.

"Yes?"

"My name is Marcus Reid. I’m the Beta of the Grant Pack."

My blood turned to ice.

"I think you have the wrong number—"

"I know who you are, Aria. Or should I say, Aria Mitchell Grant?"

No. No, no, no.

"I don’t know what you’re talking about."

"The twins," Marcus said quietly. "Liam and Luna. Five years old. Born in Silvermoon District General Hospital on March 15th. Do I need to continue?"

My hands were shaking so badly I almost dropped the phone.

"What do you want?" I whispered.

"Nothing. I’m calling as a courtesy. To warn you."

"Warn me about what?"

"There’s a business conference in Silvermoon next week. Kyril will be there. And if I found you, he might too."

The room spun.

Kyril. Here. In Silvermoon.

"Why are you telling me this?" I managed to ask.

"Because I was there that night. I saw how my Alpha treated you. I saw you leave. And I’ve spent five years watching him destroy himself with regret." Marcus’s voice was tired. "He knows about the twins now, Aria. His mother told him last year. He’s been searching for you ever since."

"He knows?" I could barely breathe.

"Yes. And when he finds you—not if, when—it’s going to get complicated. I’m calling to give you time to prepare."

"Why would you betray your Alpha like this?"

"I’m not betraying him. I’m trying to help him. And you. Because this situation is going to explode, and those children deserve better than being caught in the middle."

The line went dead.

I stood there in the bathroom, phone in hand, world crumbling around me.

"Mommy?" Luna’s voice broke through my panic. "You okay?"

I looked at my babies, covered in soap suds, looking at me with concern in their golden eyes.

"I’m fine, sweetie." I put on my best smile. "Let’s finish your bath."

But I wasn’t fine.

Kyril knew. He’d been looking for me.

And he was coming to Silvermoon.