เข้าสู่ระบบDamian's POV“Drive faster.”“We are already pushing it.” Ethan replied, his hands were tight on the wheel.“Faster.” I repeated, my voice was low but sharp.The car surged forward and the city lights blurred past the windows. I sat in the back seat, my jaw clenched, my body tense. My phone lay dark in my hand. There were no messages, no calls , there was nothing from Aria.Ethan reached over and handed me the tablet.“We found her signal.” He said carefully.I took it from him and stared at the screen. A red dot blinked on the map, deep inside human territory. The tracker I had hidden inside my mother’s necklace was still active.She hadn’t taken it off and my chest tightened.“She left the palace.” I said flatly.Kara’s voice shook from the back seat.“I…I’m sorry, Alpha. I didn’t know she would go this far. She begged me and said she needed air.”I didn’t turn to look at her.“You helped her escape.” I said.“Yes.” She whispered. “But I swear, I did not know that she planned to le
Aria's POVI didn’t turn back.My feet slammed against the stone path as I ran, my breath sharp and uneven, my heart beating so hard it hurt.I clutched my bag tight against my chest as I passed through the last gate. No guards stopped me and alarms sounded the night swallowed me whole the moment I crossed out of the palace grounds.I kept running.The road stretched ahead, empty and dark. My legs burned, but I did not slow down. I did not allow myself to think about Damian’s face if he found out. I did not allow myself to think about his growl, his orders, his anger.I just ran.By the time I reached the human territory, my chest felt tight. The lights of the city came into view, bright and busy, nothing like the cold stone walls of the palace. Cars passed, people walked by, laughing, talking, and living normal lives.This was the world I wanted.I slowed down, pulling my hoodie over my head, lowering my face. My hair was messy, my hands were shaking. I blended into the crowd as best
Damian's POV“Mobilize the eastern unit.”“Yes, Alpha.”“Seal the border routes. I want eyes everywhere.”“Yes, Alpha.”“Send word to the northern commanders no one moves without my order.”The room was filled with voices, footsteps, and the sound of weapons being checked. Maps were spread across the long table in front of me. Red marks circled territories lines showed possible attacks every second mattered now that war was coming.I stood at the head of the table, my hands flat on the surface, my eyes fixed on the map but my mind somewhere else. No matter how hard I tried to focus, Aria’s face kept forcing its way in pale, quiet and tired.“She should not have been involved.” I muttered.Ethan glanced at me but said nothing.The doors opened, and Lilith walked in, her posture straight, her expression calm but tight. She didn’t bow this time. “Enough.” She said,The room slowly quieted as the commanders stepped back, sensing the shift.“Leave us.” Lilith ordered them and I didn’t s
Aria's POV“Lock it.”“I did.”“Again please, lock it again.”Kara turned back to the door and slid the lock once more. The sound was small, but it echoed loudly in my head. I stood in the middle of my room, my hands shaking so badly I had to press them together to steady myself.“They won’t come in.” Kara said softly. “You are safe here.”I nodded, but my body didn’t believe her.The image of Adrian standing in the court, claiming me, replayed again and again in my mind. Damian’s face after that the way the room went quiet. The fear in the air. I felt like I was still standing there, unable to move.“I need to clean this.” I said suddenly.“Clean what?” Kara asked.I walked to the drawer beside my bed and pulled it open. Inside were folded papers, envelopes, some were already creased from being opened and closed too many times; letters were all from Adrian.My chest tightened and Kara’s eyes widened. “Aria… you kept them?”“I didn’t answer him.” I said quickly. “I never answered.
Damian's POV“Your Alpha is late.”“He keeps people waiting on purpose.”“Watch your tone inside my palace.”The voices overlapped as I entered the council hall. The long glass table was already filled with elders, council envoys, warriors, and advisors. The air was tight and everyone felt it. Adrian Draven had walked into Blackwood Palace without warning, with a full convoy, and with a smile that told me he came to test limits.I took my seat at the head of the table.“Begin.” I said.Adrian leaned back in his chair like he owned the place. He wore black, sharp and clean, his posture relaxed but alert. He looked exactly like a man who knew that he was dangerous.“Alpha Damian.” Adrian said smoothly. “Thank you for receiving me.”“You didn’t wait for permission.” I replied.“I didn’t think I needed it.” He said. “We are like family, after all.”A few elders shifted in their seats.“State your purpose.” I said and Adrian nodded. “Negotiations.”“About what?”“Territory borders, tra
Aria's POV“Silence.”“Everyone will listen.”“This court has heard enough.”Damian’s voice cut through the hall, steady and cold. I stood beside him, my hands shaking, my heart still racing from everything that had been revealed. The hall that was loud moments ago fell completely quiet. Vivian was on her knees now her hair was loose, her face pale, her eyes wild.“I didn’t mean to harm her.” Vivian cried. “I only wanted her gone.”Damian looked down at her. “You threatened my wife.”“She took my place!” Vivian screamed. “She took everything!”Damian didn’t raise his voice and that scared me more.“For threatening Aria.” He said. “For using palace workers, for causing fear and harm within my walls, this is my judgment.”I held my breath. “Vivian will receive one hundred strokes.”A sharp gasp filled the hall Lilith stiffened immediately, her fingers gripping the edge of her seat. Isolde’s face was drained of color. Mariana looked away, her jaw tight. Celine’s lips trembled, but she







