LOGINAria's POVRay closed his hand, hiding the scar."I'm so sorry..." My eyes burned as I said so.A smirk played on Ray's lips.He reached out, his fingers hovering as if to brush away my tears, but I jerked my head back."I'll get the best doctor for you," I blurted out. "I'm sure the scar can be removed."He chuckled, his voice a low rumble. "Well, that sounds like it'll cost a fortune.""I'll save up. I won't make you wait long, I promise.""Fine," he whispered. "I'll be waiting.""Uncle Ray! Are you feeling better today?" Nola burst in with a big smile.Her eyes went wide when she saw me. "Aria? You're here too!"The realization hit me like a physical blow.Her "grumpy uncle"... was actually Ray!"This is my niece, Nola," Ray introduced.Before I could speak, Nola snatched the extra bowl of soup and started gulping it down. "Uncle Ray, it's so good! Thank you!"Ray gave a wry smile. "Yeah, I know that. But it was for me, OK?"I couldn't help but laugh.Ray's gaze softened, locking o
Aria's POV"I'm almost there." He texted me again.But when the elevator doors opened on the tenth floor, I froze."Fiona?" My voice was tense.I stood tall as the group stepped out.Fiona marched toward me, her eyes burning with rage."Aria! How dare you show your face here!"I didn't move an inch."What do you mean?" I asked calmly."Isaac has a fever! His core is burning up!" Fiona shouted, pointing a finger at me."As his mother, why didn't you even check on him?""Isaac has Kierra's full attention," I replied, looking Fiona straight in the eye."And he told me himself—he doesn't want me near him.""What?!" Fiona's chest heaved with fury.She had never seen me this way.Without warning, Fiona swung her hand with all her strength.The sound echoed through the silent hallway.My head snapped to the side.A handprint appeared on my pale cheek instantly.Julian stepped forward and grabbed Fiona's wrist, his expression complicated.Isaac and Lara were terrified; they hid behind their f
Aria's POVIsaac stood there, confused.He didn't understand why I acted so differently today.The car drove away.From the rearview mirror, I saw Isaac still standing there.I returned to my quiet apartment.Staring at my laptop, I was saving the "rebirth" scent requirements Jane sent.Whenever I worked on a blend, I turned off my phone to focus completely.For three days and nights, I barely slept.I spent every hour mixing herbs and crystals.When the last drop of golden fragrance finally settled in the vial, I smiled.This was my fresh start.I was finally free.But the moment I turned my phone on, it vibrated crazily.Dozens of missed calls and messages popped up.They were all from Julian.“Isaac has a fever. Get to the hospital now!”“Damn it, Aria! Where are you? You're his mother!”“Isaac is crying for your soup. Make it and bring it here immediately!”The messages were from three days ago, sent at 3:00 AM.Julian even attached a photo.In the picture, Isaac's face was flushe
Aria's POVLydia's hand froze in mid-air.She met the man's deep, freezing gaze."Alpha R..." Lydia's voice trembled.His aura was suffocating.I noticed that his hand was wrapped in thick bandages."Do I know you?" his voice was low.Lydia turned pale.She forced herself to speak."I'm Lydia... I heard you were hurt. I came to visit...""And that gives you the right to scream outside my room?"His voice turned dangerous."I'm sorry..." Lydia stepped back, staring at his hand.He was still gripping my wrist.The sight made her blood boil."Why are you still here?" The man issued a cold command."I'm Felix, his assistant. I'll show you the way out."He then gestured for Lydia to leave.The door closed.Inside the suite, the air was filled with the scent of cedar and pine."Well, Sir, I'm here to thank you. You've saved my life," I said."It's nothing.""Well, I don't even know your name yet," I said again."Ah... You can call me Ray." He hesitated and then said."OK. I'm Aria. It's a p
Aria's POVJulian's face was dark.The air felt heavy with his Alpha pressure."Is it that hard to just apologize?" he asked.His voice was low and commanding.I didn't flinch.I looked at him with a cold, mocking smile."My fault?" I retorted."You brought Kierra into our home. She wore my pajamas and filled my space with her scent. She got sick, and it was my fault?""I'm so disappointed, Aria. Since when did you become so aggressive?"I felt a sharp pang in my chest.The Mate Bond was now a source of nothing but pain.If I were the one lying in bed dying, would he care so much?"Julian." My voice was trembling but firm."I want to sever our Mate Bond."Suddenly, a piercing scream shattered the silence of the hallway.A woman in a hospital gown, eyes wide and manic, came charging toward them with a knife."Julian!" Kierra shrieked, cowering behind him.Julian's Alpha instincts kicked in.He immediately shielded Kierra and the pups.In the chaos, someone shoved me from behind.Still
Aria's POVWhen dawn broke, I opened my heavy eyes.I felt a sharp pain all over my body."Aria, you have a severe spiritual virus infection.""You came in time, or your wolf would be in danger. We tried to call your mate, but...""I see. Thank you," I forced a weak smile.I pulled my phone.More than ten missed calls from Julian popped up.Why would he call me?Then, someone was calling again."Lara?" I spoke, my voice raspy."You bad woman! Are you trying to kill Kierra?!"I froze."Lara, what are you talking about?""Stop pretending! Kierra wore your pajamas last night, and now she is sick! Daddy stayed up all night by her side! I hate you!""Lara, calm down. I put herbs into the fabric, because you and Issac loved the smell before. How is that my fault?""You're lying! I don't believe you!" Lara slammed the phone.My vision blurred.Suddenly, a little hand reached out, holding a tissue."Please don't cry."I looked up.It was Nola, the little girl from the next bed."Thank you, No







