Chapter 3

Aria’s pov

The word echoed in my skull like a curse, like salvation, like something I had no right to feel again ever again.

I stared at Riven, my mind reeling.

He looked as shaken as I felt. His brows drew together, lips parted as if he was about to speak, but no words came. Just the sound of our heavy, ragged and unwelcome breathing.

“No,” I whispered, pressing my palms to the edge of the bed as if I could steady the world that tilted beneath me. “This isn’t happening. It can’t be.”

Riven took a cautious step forward.

“Don’t,” I snapped, sharper than I intended. “Don’t come closer.”

He froze, the flicker of hurt in his eyes disappeared almost as quickly as it came, replaced by that unreadable calm mask he always wore like armor.

“This doesn’t make sense,” I muttered, mostly to myself. “You’re not… You can’t be… my mate”

“Luna…” Riven said slowly, his voice low and cautious. Are you okay?”

My stomach flipped. That wasn’t the question you ask someone you just declared your mate.

“I…. Stay away from me,” I repeated, backing against the headboard. I’m already mated to your Alpha.” I croaked, clutching the bedsheets. “You… you can’t be… ”

He tilted his head, concern knitted across his brow. “Do you need me to call the doctor?”

“What?” I blinked at him. “Stop acting all innocent, Riven.”

He let out a deep sigh, rubbing his temple before staring back at me. “What are you talking about, Luna?”

The blood drained from my face, my heart pounding fiercely against my chest. “Don’t do that”

“Do what?” He asked in confusion. “Please stop scaring me Luna.”

“Enough!” I yelled. “I heard you perfectly, stop pretending.”

He rubbed his temple in frustration, “I’ll get the doctor,” he said and turned to leave.

“I heard you call me mate when you walked in,” I stated.

He halted and turned immediately, eyes wide open. “Me?” He shook his head. “I’m sorry Luna, but I never said such… a deadly word. You’ve been under a lot of stress lately and exhaustion can play tricks on the…”

“I’m not crazy, Riven,” I cut in. “My ears work perfectly fine and I know what I heard.”

Before I could push further, the door creaked open and a man in a white coat stepped in, clipboard in hand.

“Luna Aria,” the doctor greeted warmly, bowing his head. “Forgive the delay, I was held up. Beta Riven said you collapsed from exhaustion and dehydration. Let’s have a quick check, shall we?”

Riven stepped aside instantly, as if grateful for the interruption. I turned away, grinding my teeth. Did I heard wrong or was he really denying it?

The doctor ran his usual checks, his voice a distant hum as he asked me questions I barely answered. My thoughts spun in endless circles, looping back again and again to the one impossible word.

The doctor moved with careful precision, checking my vitals, asking me to breathe deeply, shining a small light into my eyes. I responded on autopilot, barely registering his words.

But I wasn’t imagining the way my pulse spiked when Riven shifted closer behind him. I wasn’t imagining the way my wolf stirred, pressing closer to the surface, drawn to a presence she recognized even if I didn’t want to.

“Her heart rate is still elevated,” the doctor noted. “Likely a combination of the stress, dehydration, and… other factors.”

“What other factors?” I asked, voice brittle.

The doctor hesitated, eyes flicking to Riven, then back to me. “Nothing serious, Luna. Just… hormonal imbalance, possibly a surge triggered by emotional strain. It’s not uncommon after trauma or extended fatigue.”

Hormonal imbalance? That’s impossible. This wasn’t just stress or exhaustion, it was all him.

“You can go,” I said suddenly, cutting the doctor off mid-sentence. “Thank you, but I’m fine now.”

He seemed unsure but nodded politely. “I’ll return later to check in. Please try to eat something.”

The door clicked shut behind him.

Riven didn’t move, neither did I. The silence was suffocating and when I finally spoke, my voice was low. “You smelled it too, didn’t you?”

His eyes flicked to mine, dark and unreadable.

“I felt your wolf stir. I saw you react,” I pressed. “So why are you pretending it didn’t happen?”

He stared at me for a long moment. Then calmly spoke.

“Luna, I think you’re confused. I would never dare cross that line.”

A bitter laugh escaped me. “Do you think lying makes this easier for you? That if you act like it didn’t happen, I’ll just forget it?”

He flinched, only slightly, but it was enough.

“I’m not crazy,” I whispered.

“I didn’t dare to say you were, Luna,” he replied softly.

“But you’re treating me like I am.” I paused. “You know what, just Leave,” I said hoarsely. “Before I do something we’ll both regret.”

Riven bowed his head, the same way he always did, and turned silently toward the door.

But just before he stepped out, he paused.

And without turning, he murmured, “Rest, Luna. You’ll feel better in the morning.”

Then he was gone.

And I was alone again with only the echo of that word and the ache of something I couldn’t explain tightening deep in my chest.

If he didn’t say it, then why did it feel like I was losing a part of myself every time he walked away?