LOGINDamon’s POVFor the first time in weeks, I wasn't working. No patrol reports, no council meetings, no elders trying to force decisions onto my desk. Just Aria.I had made that decision the night before and refused to let anything interfere with it, though unfortunately Aria was currently trying to.
For a moment, he just stared at me then, slowly, his expression softened again, like he was slipping back into a version of himself that knew how to win me over.“You’re really choosing him,” he said quietly. “After everything I did for you?”I let out a short, humorless laugh. “You didn’t do anythi
Aria’s POVThe infirmary was too quiet, not peaceful—never peaceful—but had this kind of silence that felt forced, like the walls themselves were holding their breath. The smell of antiseptic was sharp enough to sting my nose the moment I stepped inside, and for a second I almost turned back.Almost
For a moment, he just stared at me then, slowly, his expression softened again, like he was slipping back into a version of himself that knew how to win me over.“You’re really choosing him,” he said quietly. “After everything I did for you?”I let out a short, humorless laugh. “You didn’t do anythi
Aria’s POVThe infirmary was too quiet, not peaceful—never peaceful—but had this kind of silence that felt forced, like the walls themselves were holding their breath. The smell of antiseptic was sharp enough to sting my nose the moment I stepped inside, and for a second I almost turned back.Almost
Aria's POVThe feeling wouldn't leave, it followed me through lunch, through the reports stacked on my desk, through every conversation I barely paid attention to and no matter how many times I reminded myself that Damon could handle himself, that he had survived far worse than a day spent with Kade
Aria’s POVThe air in the car was suffocating. It was warm, dry, and smelled entirely of him.Pine and spice. It was everywhere. It filled my nose and coated my tongue.Damon was leaning over the center console.His hand was inches from my neck and his eyes looked pitch black."Rain," he said again.
Aria’s POVThe archives were quiet and smelt of old books.I liked it. It felt safe and comforting.For the last four hours, I had been organizing files from fifty years ago.My hands were gray with dust, and my back ached, but I didn't stop.If I stopped, I would think and if I thought, I would rem
Damon’s POVI was going to burn the forest down.It was the only logical reaction because I had woken up on the cold ground… and she was gone like I had only imagined her.My mate had vanished and I had tracked her scent to the river, and then—nothing. It washed away. Gone just like that. What the a
Aria's POV"You look terrible."Kade stood in the doorway of the small apartment I shared with Mira. He looked perfect, of course. His golden hair messy in that way that usually made girls swoon me included—not anymore, and his hazel eyes that I used to get lost in were bright.He didn't look like a







