LOGINAria's POVThe attack came at dawn when most of the pack was still sleeping off the tension from yesterday's public confrontation. I woke to the sound of alarm bells ringing through the castle, their urgent clanging cutting through the early morning quiet like a knife. My wolf surged to alertness immediately, pushing against my consciousness with warnings I didn't need spoken aloud.Danger, she growled. Multiple threats surrounding us.I threw off the covers while stumbling toward the window, still half asleep but driven by instinct. What I saw made my blood run cold. The compound was surrounded by at least fifty figures dressed in dark clothing that seemed to absorb light rather than reflect it. They moved in coordinated patterns that spoke of military training, spreading out to cover every exit while maintaining defensive formations."Aria, stay away from the window," Ryker's voice came from the doorway before he crossed the room in three strides to pull me back. "They have archers
Aria's POV Oh goodness. I almost scoffed out loud, what the hell does she mean by this time? Even a pig knows better than to use pregnancy to hold down a man. But then again, how exactly was she carrying Damien's pup?The hall went completely silent. Damien's confident expression cracked for just a moment before smoothing back into careful neutrality. My father looked like he'd been slapped while the kings exchanged glances that suggested they were as blindsided as everyone else."That's impossible," Damien said though his voice lacked conviction. "We were never together.""Weren't we?" Lyra challenged. "Six weeks ago when you visited Silverclaw to finalize the treaty with my father. You stayed an extra night, remember? Shared drinks in the study after everyone else went to bed. Or do you not recall what happened after that?"Damien's jaw clenched. "You're lying.""Am I?" Lyra challenged while pulling something from her pocket. A small vial that she held up for everyone to see. "This
Aria's POVThe great hall filled with more people than I'd seen since arriving at the castle. Word had spread fast about the confrontation with my father, drawing pack members from every corner of the territory until the space was packed wall to wall with curious onlookers. I stood between Ryker and Aiden while Caden faced the crowd from the raised platform where official pack business was conducted.My father stood on the opposite side of the hall with his Silverclaw warriors behind him, their faces set in identical expressions of disapproval. Damien had positioned himself slightly apart from both groups like he was above the petty politics even though his presence was what had escalated everything in the first place."We're gathered here to settle a dispute regarding Lady Aria's future," Caden announced with his voice carrying through the hall despite not shouting. "Her father claims we violated pack law by marking her without his permission. Alpha Damien claims a prior treaty gives
Chapter 29BAria's POV cont.dBut the kings watched me with something different in their eyes. Concern yes, but also trust that I'd make my own choice regardless of what they wanted. That trust meant more than I could put into words."I choose to stay," I said clearly enough that there was no room for misinterpretation. "Not because the mate bond forces me or because I'm afraid of going home. I choose to stay because for the first time in my life, I'm not being told I'm worthless. I have people here who see me as more than a disappointment or a political tool."My father's face twisted with rage. "You ungrateful child. After everything I've done for you.""You mean after everything you did to me," I corrected. "Sealing my wolf without explanation. Letting the pack mock me for years. Selling me to these kings to settle your debts. Disowning me when I didn't perform as expected. That's not protection, that's cruelty.""I am your father," he snarled while taking a step toward me that his
Aria's POVI woke to shouting that echoed through the castle walls loud enough to penetrate even my exhausted sleep. My wolf stirred immediately inside my mind, no longer trapped behind a seal but present in a way that still felt foreign despite knowing she'd been there all along.They're here, she said with something like anticipation in her mental voice. Your father and the one who thinks he owns us.I pushed myself upright in bed despite every muscle screaming protest. The past day of partial transformations combined with emotional upheaval had left my body feeling like I'd been trampled by horses. Still, the shouting outside meant I couldn't stay hidden in my room pretending none of this was happening.Nora appeared in the doorway before I could attempt standing on my own. She carried fresh clothes over one arm while her face showed worry that had become permanent since my wolf awakened."You should stay here," she said while setting the clothes on the bed. "Your father is downsta
King Ryker's POV Aria stood from where she'd been leaning against me, her body radiating power that made the air thick. The partial transformation started again without conscious thought, claws extending while her canines lengthened. Silver fur rippled under her skin like it was trying to burst free."Aria," I said carefully while standing to face her. "You need to calm down before you shift fully.""Why?" she demanded with those silver eyes boring into mine. "So you can discuss my fate like I'm not standing right here? So you can decide whether to fight for me or hand me over to avoid war?""We're not handing you over," Caden said firmly. "That's not even a consideration.""Then what is?" Aria's wolf asked. "You'll fight a war over me but you won't ask what I want. You'll mark me to save my life but not get my permission first. Every male in my life has made decisions about my future without including me in the conversation."She wasn't wrong. We'd been discussing her like she was a







