Alexander's POV I noticed it from the way she was acting very scared. Thereโs something that is bothering her, and she doesnโt want to tell me. But I found out anyway. However, talking to her now, I could see that her body became stiff again. Though she is trying so hard to hide her emotions, I can tell something already happened. And from the faint scent I can perceive, I know there is someone else in this room. But Iโll pretend I didnโt see that person so that I can catch him red-handed. I need to find a way to protect her so she doesnโt have to worry anymore. I canโt believe Iโm the one saying this after everything Iโve done to doubt her so far. Did I manage to fall in love?I donโt know if itโs the mating bond, but I donโt want to have any problems with her again. Also, I canโt tell her that Iโm still investigating what happened to her at her former pack and why she is being targeted by her own sister and the Alphaโs son, Lucas. That Lucas is very useless and doesnโt really have
Xeros's POV I found the bastard trying to run away, and I went after him faster than everyone else. Itโs a bit difficult for me to catch up with him because I donโt know why heโs so much faster than me or why Iโm getting so weak, but I continued to chase after him while the rest were behind us. He refuses to stop, and I donโt know how Iโm going to catch up to him, but I donโt want to give up. I have to catch him and make sure he pays for going to threaten Aria again.โWait right there, you idiot! Iโm going to make you pay once I get you!โ I shouted at him.โWellโฆ catch me if you can! Youโre too damn slow!โ he replied and continued running.Because of what he said, Iโm going to make sure I catch him and also make him pay for it. I continued to chase him until I saw that he was getting towards a place that he doesnโt know is filled with many traps. I thought he wasnโt going to stop and would go in there, but somehow it seemed like he already knew there were traps there, and he stopped
Aria's POV I couldnโt be at peace after knowing that they went out there to look for someone as dangerous as Edgar. Since he managed to sneak into this parkโand also into my roomโdespite the heavy security, heโs capable of doing anything. And I donโt want them to get hurt because of me.I could hardly sit down at all as I kept pacing around the room, waiting for them to come back.When are they going to get back? What exactly is going on that I donโt know?I felt like something bad had happened, because my chest tightened after a while of waiting. What could be wrong? Could it be that something has happened to the three of them? I have to go out there to look for them. But Alexander has placed people outside his room to protect me. Thereโs no way for me to escape unless I want to jump out of this buildingโwhich is also almost impossible, considering the fact that Iโm not that much of a wolf.I had to keep wishing that nothing happened to them.Dear Moon Goddess, Iโm finally getting w
Aria's POV I opened my eyes to find myself in the hospital, with Carlo sitting right beside me. His eyes lit up the moment I looked at him, and he immediately stood up to check if I was okay. I guess he has been staying beside me for a long time now. Seeing that Iโm collecting a drip, I realized that I fainted after donating my blood to Xeros.Immediately thinking of Xeros, I almost jumped out of the bed.โWhatโs going on, Aria? Where are you going? Lay down. You canโt get out of bed yet. You still have to finish this IV drip.โI shook my head immediately.โWe need to check on him. How is he doing? Is he awake?โ I asked.He nodded his head.โMy brother is fine. You need to rest instead. We know you gave him your blood to save him, and it was enough, but you have to rest.โSince he already told me that his brother was fine, I decided to believe him and lie back on the bed. He looked at me like he was so worried about me. I guess I made them too worried with what I did, but that was th
Aria's POV Listening to him felt like I was listening to a bunch of nonsense, but I still wanted to believe what he was saying because everything was at the right timing and it matched. It felt like he was actually telling me the truth, and maybe I should calm down a little bit to listen to him."Are you sure I can really trust what you're saying right now? Because I don't know what to believe anymore. You say you have nothing to do with this, yet the evidences point at you," I demanded from him. Instead of getting angry like I expected, he was happy somehow, and it made it feel weird to me. Why is he happy if I'm asking him a question about what I think is right?"You believe in me, right? You believe what I'm saying, right? That I have nothing to do with this?" he demanded excitedly, and it only made me angry, because this involved someone's life, and the only thing he cares about is if I believe him or not."You do realize that this is a grave situation you shouldn't play around wi
Aria's POVThe moment I turned around and bumped into Alexander, I felt my soul leave my body. My breath caught in my throat, and I froze in place. He looked down at me with that intense stare, the one that makes it impossible to tell what heโs thinking.โHow long have you been standing there?โ I asked, trying to sound calm, but my voice came out shaky. My heart was pounding loudly in my chest. I hoped he couldnโt hear it.He narrowed his eyes. โLong enough. Who were you talking to just now?โI blinked. โTalking to?โ I repeated like I didnโt understand the question. I looked around, pretending to be confused. โThere was no one here. I was just... walking around. I needed some fresh air.โHis eyes didnโt leave mine. I hated how he always seemed to see through me. I wasnโt sure if I could lie to him successfully, but I had to try. If he found out I was still investigating, especially with him, it would be bad. Really bad.โI told you to stop getting involved,โ he said, his voice droppi
Aria's POVI wrapped my hoodie tighter around me as I tiptoed out of the house, careful not to make a sound. My heart kept beating fast with every step I took, afraid that someone might notice I was gone. The security had been tighter than usual lately. Ever since Xeros was brought back home, things became harder. I guess they really donโt want me to step outside again. But I have to do this. I need answers, even if no one else wants me to investigate.The cool night breeze touched my skin, and I shivered, not from the cold, but from nervousness. I looked back once more to make sure no one was following me. Then I turned toward the usual hidden path near the garden. Thatโs where Edgar told me to meet him.I saw him standing in the shadows, arms crossed, his usual smirk sitting on his lips like he wasnโt worried about anything in the world. When he saw me, he raised his brows and whistled low.โWow. You actually managed to sneak out,โ he said, walking towards me.I rolled my eyes. โOf
Ariaโs POVThe ride back home was completely silent.No one said a word.Alexander was beside me in the car, looking out the window like I wasnโt even there. Carlo sat in the front seat, also quiet. I kept staring at my hands, playing with my fingers nervously because the silence was loud. So loud it felt heavier than their voices.I already knew what they were thinking.I already knew they were disappointed.But I didnโt regret sneaking out. At least, not yet. I needed answers. I couldnโt just sit still while everyone else decided what was true or false. I had to know things for myself, even if it meant doing something reckless.When we got home, the second we stepped through the door, Alexander finally turned to look at me.His expression was calm but cold. Too calm, and that scared me more than if he had yelled.โWhy did you do it?โ he asked, his voice low. โWhy would you sneak out after everything we told you?โI swallowed hard, looking away. I didnโt want to lie anymore. I was ti
Aria's POV I couldn't sleep the entire night because I couldn't stop thinking of what happened to me yesterday. I kept turning around the bed. It was a bit embarrassing to see how I kept acting like a child and crying my eyes out because I got hurt. But maybe it worked?Xeros casually told me he loved me which was something I didn't expect. Maybe I'm just too stupid to see the signs around me. They started to care more about me than they usually would. Carlo even changed from his usual ways because of me and we've been having nothing but a slow burned romance. Now that Diane is here, things wouldn't be so easy for me. I think it's time for me to take matters into my own hands. I dressed up, ready to go to the hospital early. But looking at myself in the mirror, I realized why Diane might also be looking down on me. Maybe because I also didn't take myself seriously. I went to the door to open it, only to find Xeros waiting for me at the door. Memories of how we acted yesterday floo
Ariaโs POVI stayed in the room without moving for hours. The silence felt heavy. My body was tired, but my mind was louder than ever. Everything that happened kept playing over and over again. Diane falling, her fake tears, her fake pain, her fake voice when she said I pushed her. And Xerosโฆ the look in his eyes when he asked if it was true. That question hurt more than anything else.Why did he ask? Why did he need to ask? Didnโt he know me? Didnโt he trust me?I pulled the blanket around me tighter. My chest felt sore from crying, and my eyes were heavy. But sleep wouldnโt come. Not when my heart still ached this much.At least Carlo believed me. At least someone did.When I finally got the words out, when I told him everything, he didnโt question me. โShe said I pushed her,โ I mumbled into his chest. โBut she was the one who pushed me. She just missed. And nowโฆ now it looks like I did it.โCarlo didnโt move. โDid Xeros believe her?โI didnโt answer.That silence was enough for hi
Ariaโs POVI never expected her to actually try it.One moment I was walking back to my room, still groggy from sleep and hoping to get a glass of water, and the next moment Diane was standing right in front of me at the top of the stairsโeyes wild, voice sharp, body full of bitter anger like she had been waiting just for me.What is she even doing home? I thought she was supposed to be at the hospital.I blinked at her, too tired to process anything right away. I didnโt even say anything at first. I just moved aside slightly, hoping to avoid any drama. I was still half-asleep, and my head was pounding from everything that happened the day before. But of course, Diane didnโt care about that.I was trying so hard to avoid her but she's not one to give up easily. No matter how I tried to push her away, she always continued to bother me. Telling me to pack my bags like she owned the place. Instead of staying at the hospital to help at a time like this, she chose to come home to exhibit
Dianeโs POVI was still fuming from earlier. The way Alexander spoke to meโฆ like I was just some extra they could send on errands while their precious Aria got to rest at home like a queen. It was ridiculous.I'm their cousin! I'm supposed to be the family they've known for a long time and they're defending that bitch over me?They defended her like their lives depended on it, like she hadnโt done anything wrong. She came into the picture unwanted! And now, I was the one being sent to the hospital.Why me?Even if I studied abroad to be a doctor, I still didn't think my precious skills should be used on a bunch of peasants.The moment I walked through the front door of the pack hospital, I wanted to turn around and go home. The place reeked of sickness and sweat. Nurses were running up and down, patients were groaning, coughing, wheezing. Some even looked half-dead. It was disgusting.I covered my nose with a silk handkerchief and walked fast through the hallway, keeping my eyes stra
Alexanderโs POVThe moment we saw her, I could feel my heart settle for the first time all night.But it didnโt last.She looked too calm. Like nothing happened. Like she hadnโt just disappeared without telling anyone where she went. Like we hadnโt spent the whole night tearing through Edgarโs pack, worried she had been hurt or taken.โWhat were you thinking?โ I snapped before I could stop myself.Xeros stepped forward too, his arms crossed tightly over his chest. โDo you have any idea how worried we were?โCarlo didnโt even say anything at first. He just looked at her, like he couldnโt decide whether to yell or hug her.Aria stood there, blinking fast, as if she was trying to process all three of us coming at her at once. โIโฆ I was going to come back,โ she said quietly.Xeros laughed, but it wasnโt funny. โYeah? do you know I almost completely lost my mind after we couldn't find you anywhere?โโI didnโt mean to fall asleep,โ she said quickly, stepping back a little. โI finished chec
Ariaโs POVThe drive to Edgarโs pack was quiet.I sat in the front seat, staring out the window, arms crossed, and mind filled with thoughts. The road was mostly empty, and the silence between us grew heavier with every passing mile.I shouldnโt have come.That thought kept repeating in my head. Not because I didnโt want to help the sickโbut because being around Edgar again made everything feel strange. Wrong. Complicated.But when we finally entered his pack land, I forgot all about my awkward feelings.Because what I saw shocked me.There were people everywhereโsick, coughing, lying on stretchers, some even placed in tents outside what looked like a crowded clinic. The air smelled like strong herbs and sweat. People moved around in a rush, doctors calling out instructions, nurses trying to calm crying children.It was like walking into a battlefield.โThis is worse than I imagined,โ I whispered under my breath.Edgar parked and got out quickly. I followed him, keeping my coat tight
Ariaโs POVI didnโt know what to feel in that moment. Should I be scared or should I be relieved since he didn't hurt me the last time we were together?I'm supposed to trust someone like him who goes in and out of this pack like it belongs to him. I don't even know what he's planning in his mind or what is going on in his head. Let's not forget the fact that he almost tried to hurt Xeros. I mean, he would have done something if Lucas didn't. โYou shouldnโt be here,โ I said finally, standing up slowly. โI told you never to come back. We told you. All of us.โHis eyes didnโt shift. He looked the sameโmaybe a little more tired, but still him. That quiet, unreadable calm.โI know,โ he said softly. โBut I had to see you.โMy brows pulled together. โDo you have any idea what could happen if Alexander sees you? He might actually kill you this time. And honestly, I wonโt stop him.โEdgar looked down for a second, then stepped closer.โIโm not here to fight anyone,โ he said. โIโm here becau
Ariaโs POVI shouldnโt have spoken to them like that.As soon as I walked into the surgery room and closed the door behind me, my chest felt heavy with regret. I leaned against the wall, letting out a long, tired sigh.Xeros and Carlo had come to see me earlier. I could still see the look on Xerosโs face when I told him to leave me alone. I could still hear Carlo calling after me with that worried tone in his voice.They didnโt deserve that. I was just angry, hurt and frustrated. But not at them.It was Diane. She only came not too long ago and she already made sure that she almost made my life a living hell. And I was so mad that I let her words push me to act like she was the one meant to be with them.But she wasnโt.They were mine. The Moon Goddess chose them for me. Not her. And yet I let her get under my skin again.I closed my eyes and took a deep breath. I would apologize when I got home. I would explain everything. No more misunderstandings. No more pushing them away.I would
Xerosโs POVThe sun was high above our heads as Carlo and I walked around the pack. The heat stuck to my skin, and the dust from the ground clung to my boots.We had been hearing a lot of news lately. Strange news. About a sickness spreading through the pack these past few days.It wasnโt normal.Werewolves didnโt get sick like this. Even if we caught something, our bodies healed fast. Faster than humans could even imagine.But now?Now even the strongest wolves were lying in bed, sweating and coughing, looking weak like theyโd been poisoned.Carlo pulled his shirt over his nose as we passed by another house where someone was sick.โThis is getting worse,โ he said quietly to me.I nodded, feeling a knot in my chest. โYeah. Itโs spreading faster than anything Iโve seen before.โWe checked every house. Listened to every family.Most of them were scared. Some of them were hiding it, pretending they were fine, but we could see the fear in their eyes.โWeโll find a solution,โ I said to one