LOGINAria’s POVAnd then, from the darkness, a tiny squirrel darted out from behind a pot of wild ferns, its bushy tail flicking indignantly as it scampered across the ledge.We stared at it for a second, then both burst out laughing.The tension melted away in waves, our laughter tangled with the sound of the wind. I leaned against him, trying to steady my breathing.He shook his head, still chuckling. “A squirrel,” he said. “We almost had a heart attack over a squirrel.”I giggled softly, wiping a tear that had escaped down my cheek. “Well, at least it wasn’t a spy.”He turned toward me again, the laughter fading into something softer, deeper. His hand came up to cup my face, thumb tracing my cheek.“Aria,” he whispered, and before I could respond, he pulled me into his arms. It felt firm, warm, and real.I sank into him, feeling the steady beat of his heart against mine, and this time I let myself believe that maybe, just maybe, I was safe here.He buried his face in my hair, his voic
Aria’s POV“I remember when you couldn’t even look at me without flinching,” he said, half-smiling. “You used to avoid me like I carried the plague.”I laughed softly, though a part of me winced at the truth of it. “Well, to be fair, you did have that intimidating air around you.”He raised a brow, amused. “Intimidating?”“Brooding,” I corrected, grinning faintly. “Always brooding, always quiet. You looked like you were judging everyone in your head.”He chuckled, a deep, warm sound that carried through the still night. “Maybe I was,” he said lightly. “But you, you judged me too, didn’t you?”I turned to him, meeting his gaze. “Yes,” I admitted. “I did. I resented you, actually. You were everything I didn’t want to be near. Authority. Control. Command.” I paused, my throat tightening. “You reminded me too much of what I lost. Of what power can destroy.”He didn’t interrupt. He just watched me, his eyes dark and steady, like he was memorizing every word.“I thought you were like them
Aria’s POVA slow, grim smile crept across my lips. “Darren. That’s it. I’ll tell her Darren’s sick. She’ll rush out before she even thinks about it. If there’s one thing Elara can’t resist, it’s pretending to care for that man.”For a moment, Eros said nothing. Then he chuckled, shaking his head. “That’s clever. Cruel, but clever.”“I learned from the best,” I replied dryly. “He’s her secret lover, Eros. She won’t ignore him if she thinks he’s dying. She’ll be gone in minutes.”His expression softened slightly, a flicker of admiration in his eyes. “And the rest of the pack? We still need them out too.”I hesitated, chewing lightly on my lip. “I can tell the maids and guards that Elara’s absence has left me needing fresh air. I’ll ask them to help clear the courtyard for a walk or inspection. That way, they’ll all leave the halls empty.”He tilted his head, thinking. “That could work but not for everyone. Some will still stay back.”His eyes flickered, dark and sharp, the way they di
Aria’s POV“I don’t know,” Eros said quietly, setting the boxes down on the table. “He claimed he heard movement. Maybe he really did. Or maybe…” His eyes met mine, dark and questioning. “Maybe he was watching us too?”The thought sent a shiver through me.“Do you think he suspected anything?”“I don’t think so,” he said finally, running a hand through his hair. “My excuse was perfect enough. But we need to move faster. If someone is watching, we can’t risk keeping these out in the open for long.”He crouched beside the boxes, checking each one quickly, making sure nothing was damaged. “Everything’s intact,” he murmured.I knelt beside him, the edge of my night robe brushing the floor. The sight of the sleek, dark cameras inside filled me with both relief and dread. Relief that they were safe and dread of what we might discover once they were installed.“We’ll need to be careful with the installation,” I said, lowering my voice even though the room was empty. “It can’t be at night. If
Aria’s POVHe shook his head firmly. “Listen to me. From now on, I’ll make sure you’re safe. We’ll find proof that ties them to your father’s poisoning. Once we have it, I’ll see to it myself that justice is done. No one threatens my mate and walks away.”His voice dropped lower, almost a growl now, thick with conviction. “You’ve suffered enough. I’ll shield you from this, Aria with whatever it takes.”And when he said it, I believed him, not because he was the Lycan King, but because for the first time since my rebirth, someone was standing beside me not out of duty, but out of genuine care.For the first time, I didn’t feel alone. He huffed me, and I let myself get lost in my mate’s arms. Until now, I hadn’t realized how much I needed it. The moon hung low that night, swollen and pale, casting silvery light through the long windows of the corridor. The pack house was quiet, eerily so. Every sound, every faint creak of the old floorboards, felt like a warning. My pulse beat in my
Aria’s POVI met his gaze and said the words I had buried for so long. “I had lived before but I died, Eros.”The silence that followed was sharp, the kind that made the air itself hum.He didn’t move, didn’t blink. He just stared.I forced myself to go on. “But I was killed by my husband, Darren and my best friend, Elara.”His body went rigid, every muscle tensing. “What?” His voice was rough, like the word burned coming out.I nodded, tears welling in my eyes. “They killed my father, they killed me, they killed my unborn child, his child. I thought Elara was my friend, my sister. But they betrayed me. Darren wanted my title, my pack, and Elara wanted my life. She wanted to be me. They wanted to use my child’s blood for a ritual. They worked together and when I finally realized it, it was too late. He-” My throat tightened painfully. “He ripped our child from me before I could even hold it.”Eros’s eyes darkened, fury flashing behind the shock. He looked like he wanted to destroy som







