MasukDamon’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
So I stood slowly instead. “Fine.”Damon’s eyes narrowed. “Aria—”“I didn’t steal it,” I said firmly. “Let them look.”The council members exchanged glances immediately. Mira muttered, “I hate every person in this room.”“That makes two of us,” Kade added.The walk to my apartment felt suffocating.
Aria’s POVBy the time Damon and I reached the council chamber, the entire Packhouse already felt poisoned again.The warmth from the morning had vanished somewhere between getting dressed and walking through those long stone corridors lined with whispering wolves pretending not to stare at me. Ever
Damon’s gaze flicked toward him briefly. “You stopped them?”The question sounded reluctant. Kade nodded once. “Yeah.”For a moment, neither brother spoke, then Damon gave a short nod. “Thank you.”The shock on Kade’s face almost made me laugh. Apparently Damon thanking people happened as often as s
Aria’s POVI had barely fallen asleep when shouting outside ripped me awake. For one disoriented second, I thought I was back in the infirmary. My body jolted hard against the mattress, pulse racing, lungs tight with panic before reality settled around me again.My apartment.The dim orange glow fro







