"Look, Noah," Atlas began, "as much as I love you and Aria, and want to see her out of that slimeball's clutches…there's nothing I can do for either of you in this trial. I'm from the lower city—my opinion won't matter to the High Council.""They'll listen to you if you become a member of my pack," I countered. "Atlas, I need you. Aria needs you."Atlas sighed and rubbed his temples. "What you need, Noah, is a really good lawyer," he said softly, "which you can afford a thousand times over.""Chris is going to play dirty, and you're the only person I know who can play dirtier," I said."Gee, thanks!" Atlas replied, rolling his eyes.I needed Atlas in this fight. I needed his expertise, his knowledge of the underworld, his people skills…but most of all, I needed a friend. And he was the only one I had."Selene's sake! Fine!" he yelled after a moment of silence. "But I'm not doing this for free, and I want to get paid up front!""Deal!" I agreed."You didn't even ask how
"Your Honor, the person they claim to be Chris Hansen in that footage could have been anyone," Chris's lawyer tried to explain. "Yes, my client was almost caught in the explosion, but that thing that appeared afterwards could not possibly be him. It has to be an illusion set up by Bergmann."The judge, however, looked annoyed."Miss Smith, this is a trial for what has already been brought as an accusation," he grumbled. "You cannot lay another accusation on Mr. Bergmann until this matter is concluded."The lawyer sat down, looking livid. Next to her, Chris's eyes looked like he wanted to murder someone, but kept his composure. The High Court demanded the utmost respect and cordial behavior. Failure to comply could result in jail time if the judge desired it so."Atlas Oasis, it is your turn to question," the judge said to Atlas.I got down from the stand and returned to my seat, giving Atlas a quick hug on the way before he took the floor."We would like to call Alpha Chris
I could hardly believe my eyes; my father was awake. He looked tired and his eyes were hollow, but he was awake and right in front of me.Everyone looked on with concern and curiosity at the sight of the great Henry Bergmann in a wheelchair."Dad," I whispered, moving across the room without even thinking about it. I knelt before him and hugged him tightly—the first real hug I had given him in years. All the bitterness and animosity I had felt towards him took a backseat in that moment; I was just glad to have my father with me."You've done marvelously, son," he said with a proud smile. "Let your old man take it from here."My father wheeled his way to the front of the courtroom. "I apologize for interrupting court proceedings, but my son is not guilty of anything," he said firmly. "The charges of illegal medical facilitation and identity fraud are mine to bear, not Noah's.""Alpha Henry Bergmann," the judge said, "out of respect for your station I will allow you to interrup
It was strange to be back at the Bergmann estate. It felt as though I hadn't left at all, but also like I had been gone for an eternity. My last clear memory was running into Noah in the pantry. After that, it was all a blur, and that in and of itself was terrifying.I tried my best to recall what had happened, but all I got were images of half-forgotten dreams and the monstrous face of a charred Chris, his burned face contorting into a menacing grin.Chris… Anger and rage burned inside me at the thought of what he did to me. He messed with my mind, kidnapped me, and turned me against Noah. And yet he had still managed to escape without punishment.All because he invoked Damnatio Memoriae. I had not heard of it until yesterday, but according to Henry it was the oldest law ever written by our kind and could not be ignored."Formal challenges cannot be issued to resolve a conflict during a trial," Henry explained, "but Damnatio Memoriae is no ordinary challenge, and trumps all le
**Aria POVI woke up in my room with Noah's body pressed up close against mine. I snuggled in closer to him, grateful that for the first time since meeting Chris, there was absolutely no feeling of nausea or pain when I was around Noah.Whatever serum Henry had given me really had freed my mind from its strange turmoil. I was finally myself again, and could actually enjoy being with the man I loved. I had no idea how much longer this clarity would last, but I was sure going to relish every moment of it.Noah's eyes flickered open and he smiled when he saw me. "Good morning, beautiful," he whispered, and kissed me sweetly. "I've been dreaming about waking up next to you for so long.""Glad I'm here to fulfill your wishes, good sir," I teased, kissing him back and climbing on top of him.Things began to get steamy as we both shed our clothes and explored each other's bodies with our hands and mouths.Unfortunately Noah's phone buzzed loudly before too long, signaling the end
I screamed up to the sky with ecstasy as Noah brought me to an earth-shattering climax.I grasped the edge of the tub, steadying myself while catching my breath.Noah kissed me passionately. "Are you out of energy already, my love?" he teased.I smiled and bit his ear. "Carry me upstairs and you'll find out," I challenged my handsome companion.Noah growled happily and scooped me up into his arms, getting out of the tub and traipsing through the house to his bedroom fully nude. We were too engrossed in each other to worry about anyone seeing us, and luckily it was past midnight, so everyone in the mansion was already asleep.Noah playfully threw me onto his bed and began to kiss his way all across my dripping body.I grinned, grabbing hold of him and rolling over, pinning him beneath me."Let me take care of that for a little bit," I said playfully.I lowered my head between his legs and relished in the sound of his pleasure. He caressed my face lovingly as I pleasured
**Aria POV Two months had passed and there had been almost no sign of Chris. There were rumors that he had left Romulus on a business trip overseas, or that he had taken some time off on a private island.But I knew he was still here; I could feel him at the back of my mind. Most of the time it was quiet, and I was able to focus on my work. But whenever I thought of Noah, remembered the touch of his lips, the softness of his touch…Chris's voice would ravage my mind. Sickness and nausea would engulf my stomach, and I would feel the urge to run as far away as I could. To where? Where would I run to?'To Chris, of course,' my brain would answer, as though it was the only thing in the world that made sense.But I loved Noah! I wanted to be with Noah! This was all just the workings of Chris's dark magic...My mind went blank and I cursed. It was starting again, but this time it was stronger and more intrusive.Worried how Noah would react, fearing that he might fall straight
I leapt over the high wall and chased after Aria's scent. What had started as a light rain was now pouring down heavily, obscuring my vision, but her scent was strong enough for me to keep on her trail.I reached the edge of the forest and finally caught sight of her, clad in an alluring red dress, same as the night we had first met, and drenched to the bone. But she stood there motionless, not bothered by the cold or the rain.I edge closer silently, not wanting to alert her to my presence. She seemed to be waiting for someone. Atlas, maybe? No, if that was the case then there would be no reason for her to sneak out.A car's headlights appeared in the distance, fast approaching where Aria stood at the edge of the road. I squinted through the darkness and the rain to get a better look…When my phone suddenly began to buzz. Panicked, I almost let it slip from my fingers. I answered it quickly to prevent it from ringing."I'm a little busy right now, Diggory," I whispered into