LOGINDamon stepped out from the trees.Of course he did.He didn’t look surprised to see Lex. If anything, he looked like he had expected this exact moment. His expression was carved from something cold and controlled, but his eyes were sharper than usual, locked entirely on Lex like he was already calcu
Aria’s POVA note was slipped under my door just before dawn.No knock. No footsteps. No warning beyond the faint scrape of paper against wood that woke me from a shallow, restless sleep. I sat up immediately, my heart already racing before I even reached for it, because nothing in this pack ever ar
Aria’s POVHis lips crashed against mine and the kiss was rough, fiery and filled with immense passion. Damon’s lips moved against mine like he was still trying to merge with me. His hands fisting my waist and pulling me closer as he kissed me like his life depended on it, then he pulled away.“Ari
“You shouldn’t have been alone,” he said instead.“Oh, so now we’re back to that?” I snapped. “You being everywhere I go like I’m some kind of fragile possession?”His eyes darkened further.“That’s not what I said.”“No,” I said quietly, stepping closer until there was barely space between us now.
Aria’s POVDamon didn’t answer me, he just stood there in the clearing, the silence between us stretching so tightly it felt like it might snap at any second. Lex’s footsteps had already faded into the forest, but his words still lingered like smoke that refused to clear.When Damon finally moved, i
“What night?” I whispered.Neither of them answered. Damon took one slow step forward, his eyes pitch-black now. “You need to leave.”Lex’s gaze never left his. “Or what?”“I’ll finish what I should’ve done years ago.”For the first time, genuine anger crossed Lex’s face. “You already finished it,”
Aria’s POV“Let go,” I said again through clenched teeth, forcing my voice to remain steady even as his fingers bit deeper into my wrist. “You’re hurting me.”Kade’s grip did not loosen immediately. His jaw flexed, eyes burning with a temper he used to hide behind charm. Up close, I could see the fa
She looked like a Luna already.Composed, radiant and untouchable.“Aria,” she greeted smoothly, her smile gentle but assessing. “Thank you for helping. It means a great deal.”“I’m doing what’s best for the pack,” I replied evenly, placing the folded silk on a nearby table.Her gaze lingered on me
Aria’s POVBy the time the sun dipped low enough to cast gold across the clearing, I had memorized every step of the mating ritual.That had been the goal.If I was going to stand inside that circle tomorrow, I needed to understand exactly what I was standing against.“Hand me the silver cord,” I to
I pushed the image aside.“She’ll stay out of the way,” I said, quieter now.Lyra nodded, satisfied. “That’s all I want. Peace.”Peace.The word scraped against the inside of my skull.Another elder approached, clapping me on the shoulder with hearty approval. “You’ve handled this beautifully,” he b







