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.
Aria’s POVThe pounding on my door started before sunrise and at first, I thought I was dreaming so I buried my face deeper into my pillow, groaning as the knocking continued, louder this time and far more persistent."Aria!"My eyes snapped open. I knew that voice.Sitting up, I checked my phone. The bright screen nearly blinded me.5:12 AM.I stared at it in disbelief.Another round of pounding rattled the door."Aria, open this door!""Mira, can you get that?" I called out automatically before remembering she wasn't home. She had stayed overnight at the infirmary after yesterday's chaos.With a groan, I dragged myself across the apartment and yanked the door open.Immediately, I regretted it because Alina stood in the hallway looking as elegant as ever despite the ridiculous hour. Behind her were two older women carrying baskets filled with flowers, candles, folded fabrics, and bundles of herbs."Good morning, dear," Alina said brightly."It is five in the morning.""Exactly.""Nor
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 POVSomething in me refused to settle and I know that it wasn’t exactly panic, but if it was, it wasn’t the mind that made you shake or lose breath. It was quieter than that, sharper too, like a thread pulled too tight under my skin, waiting to snap the moment I stopped paying attention. Dam
Aria’s POVI woke up tangled in Damon. One of his arms was wrapped tightly around my waist beneath the blankets while my face rested against his chest, warm skin and steady breathing surrounding me completely. For a few seconds, I stayed still, letting myself exist there without thinking about the c
A hidden compartment rested beneath the vanity drawer, I found it almost immediately. My heart hammered violently while I placed the velvet box inside.Then I closed it and walked away. By the time I returned to Damon’s room, my hands still trembled.I remember slipping back beneath the blankets car
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
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







