LOGINAria’s POV“Your guard is slipping,” he said between strikes, his tone teasing but focused.I huffed, tightening my grip. “You talk too much.”His smirk deepened. “Maybe I’m trying to distract you.”“You’re doing a terrible job,” I shot back, feinting left then twisting right, catching him off guard enough for my blade to graze his arm.He chuckled, stepping back, lowering his weapon. “You’re getting faster.”“Maybe you’re getting old.”The smile that curved his lips made my chest flutter, that soft warmth spreading again through the cracks that the past few weeks had left in me. It felt good, laughing, training, pretending for a few heartbeats that things were normal.But normal didn’t last long in my world. It never did.I was about to strike again when a sudden, sharp echo ripped through my head, my ring tone. panic slammed into me so hard it nearly brought me to my knees.I reached for it and the name on the screen made my knees buckle.“Lila?”“Lady Aria! Can you hear me?”I froz
Aria’s POV “Look closely,” I said quietly. “She’s Leaving her room at midnight again.”Eros frowned. “She said she was going to get tea that night.”I folded my arms, my eyes fixed on the screen. “Elara doesn’t drink tea.”His lips twitched in a humorless smile. “You’ve noticed everything, haven’t you?”“I’ve known that lady for the longest time,” I said. “She doesn’t like tea, not even at gun point.”The silence between us stretched, heavy but familiar. It wasn’t awkward, just a quiet understanding. We were both tired. Tired of the waiting, tired of pretending things were normal, tired of chasing shadows.Eros finally leaned back in his chair, running a hand through his hair. “We’ve been at this for hours. We can’t keep watching the same footage on repeat.”I sighed, rubbing at my temples. “I just... I feel like we’re missing something. Something right in front of us.” I hadn’t seen her since we got back, did she go home with her lover?He looked at me, his gaze softening. “You’v
Aria's POVThe journey back to Eros' pack felt longer than it should have. Neither of us spoke much. What was there to say? My father had stood before his pack, mentioned the wolves that poisoned him, laid out his suspicions with the weight of an Alpha's authority, and they'd denied it. Darren and that good for nothing Kellen Looked him straight in the eye and swore their innocence with such conviction that even I had felt a flicker of doubt if not that I'd died once at the hands of liars who wore masks of loyalty. And now I knew how convincing betrayal could look when it smiled at you.Eros' hand found mine as we crossed into his territory, his thumb brushing over my knuckles in a silent gesture of comfort. I squeezed back, grateful for his steady presence beside me. He didn't try to fill the silence with empty reassurances. He simply was, and somehow that was enough.The pack house came into view as dusk settled over the land, painting everything in shades of amber and shadow.Low
Aria’s POVBut my father’s hand came down sharply against the armrest of his chair. The sound silenced everyone. His eyes burned with fury and betrayal as he pointed directly at him.“I saw you, Kellen,” he said, his voice rising. “You and Darren were in my room that night. You offered to care for me but you poisoned me! You and Darren!” His hand trembled but his words struck like knives. “Dareen spoke of finishing what he started. Of power, of succession, of killing me before the council meeting.”All color drained from Darren’s face.For a single, delicious second, I saw panic flicker in his eyes before his mask returned, smooth, charming, composed.Then he laughed.Like, he actually laughed.“Alpha,” Darren said, tone calm and measured, though his jaw was tight. “You’ve been unwell for months. You accused Derek not long ago, remember? And before that, one of your guards. You’re confused. You’re letting paranoia speak for you.”Murmurs spread through the room like wildfire. Elders e
Aria’s POVThe news had drawn everyone out.The room was full now. Elders in their ceremonial robes, pack members lined along the walls, betas murmuring quietly. Even the servants lingered near the doors, too curious to leave.Eros stood beside me, every inch of him calm and regal, his presence commanding silence as soon as he walked in.And then, at the far end of the room, seated in his high-backed chair, was my father.He looked stronger than the last time I’d seen him. His eyes, though weary, carried a new light, one that spoke of truth finally remembered.Daniella and her twin, Derek, stood close to him, their faces a mix of anxiety and relief. Derek gave me a small nod when he saw me, one that silently said; finally. But my eyes drifted past them, to the two faces I had been waiting to see.Darren and Elara.They stood near the back, side by side. Darren had that same arrogant smirk plastered across his face, his hands tucked casually into his pockets like he had nothing to fea
Aria’s POVSo, before Eros could stop me, I stepped closer to Eros, sliding my hand around his arm, pressing my body against his side in a way that made Darren’s eyes narrow instantly.Eros stiffened in surprise, looking down at me, but I met his gaze with a knowing look. Play along.And he did.He wrapped his arm around my waist and pulled me in tighter. I tilted my face up to him, smiling sweetly, then rose on my toes and kissed him.Right there. In front of Darren and Elara. In front of everyone.The kiss was deep and deliberate. Not a peck. Not something innocent. It was a declaration.Eros hesitated for just a breath before his hand found the back of my neck, returning the kiss with a slow, devastating tenderness that made my wolf purr in satisfaction. When we finally broke apart, his thumb traced my lower lip, his gaze still on me as if we were the only two people in the world.And Darren...Darren looked like he wanted to tear the world apart. His eyes were molten, his lips p







