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
And now he stood in front of an entire pack defending me like he would burn the world before letting someone touch me.I didn’t understand it.“Kade…” I whispered carefully.His expression shifted slightly at the hesitation in my voice.Pain flickered there.“I know,” he said quietly. “I know I don’
Aria’s POVThe entire square froze, even the wind seemed to stop moving.Kade stood at the entrance breathing hard, his chest rising sharply beneath his dark jacket while fury radiated off him in waves strong enough to silence hundreds of people instantly.I stared at him in complete shock because t
I suddenly understood how quickly packs turned on people once fear entered the conversation.Mira moved directly in front of me now like she physically intended to shield me from the entire room. “Damon would never allow this.”“He isn’t here,” the elder replied coldly.The reminder landed heavily.
Aria’s POVI had never seen the Packhouse descend into chaos that quickly before.Servants rushed through the halls whispering frantically to one another while guards searched room after room with increasing aggression. The atmosphere felt suffocating, thick with suspicion and panic, and every time







