LOGINRaiden POVWe smelled the battle long before we saw it.Blood—fresh and hot—cut through the wind as we crossed the last ridge. Smoke curled upward from between the trees ahead, dark fingers clawing at the sky. Steel rang. Wolves roared. The sound of war rolled toward us like thunder that had already decided where it would strike.So Lucian had been right.They weren’t about to be attacked.They already were.I lifted my fist, halting my men at once. Boots skidded to a stop behind me, disciplined and silent. Below us, the Regal Blood territory burned at its edges—outer sentry towers cracked and smoldering, the forest floor torn apart by bodies and broken weapons.And in the center of it all—Fighting.“Positions,” I said calmly, though my blood was already heating. “Flank wide. Don’t announce yourselves yet.”Lucian nodded, already moving. Our warriors split cleanly, ghosts through the trees, armor muted, blades ready. These men had fought beside me long enough to know my rhythm withou
Darius POVAfternoon came dressed in heat and restlessness.The sun sat high above the trees, glaring down on the camp like it knew what we were about to do and approved of none of it. I stood at the edge of the clearing, arms folded behind me, jaw clenched so tight it ached. The air smelled of steel, sweat, and something darker—anticipation, maybe. Or regret.Raiden has left.The words echoed in my head, sharp and persistent.I learned it the way I always learned things lately—through him.The mysterious one.He appeared without warning, as usual, stepping out from the shadows between trees like he belonged to them. Hood drawn low, voice smooth and infuriatingly calm.“The Alpha King rides east,” he had said. “He took his second and a handful of men. The fortress is still guarded—but its heart is exposed.”I hadn’t asked how he knew.I never did.Some questions were dangerous not because of the answers—but because of what they would force you to accept. And I already hated how often
Raiden POVI had already dressed for the day, armor half-fastened, cloak hanging loose over my shoulders—not because I had decided to leave, but because I needed to feel ready in case I did.Readiness was easier than certainty.Lucian walked beside me as I stepped out of my chambers, my thoughts still tangled in strategy, borders, and the weight of a neighboring pack’s blood on my conscience. I was about to speak—about patrol rotations, about departure timing—when my steps stalled abruptly.She stood in the hallway.Aria.Barefoot, hair loose down her back, dressed simply, like she hadn’t come here to confront a king—but a man.My mate.I exhaled slowly, the breath leaving my chest heavier than it should have.Moon help me.Lucian noticed instantly. He followed my gaze, then looked back at me with quiet understanding.“I can give you both some privacy,” he offered gently.Before I could answer, Aria spoke.“No,” she said, calm but firm. “It’s not needed.”Her voice carried more confid
Raiden POVI finished up in the bathroom and stepped back into my room—only to stop short.Aria was sitting on the edge of the bed, fully awake.For a second, I simply stared.She looked calm on the surface, but her eyes—those knowing, relentless eyes—were fixed on me, steady and unblinking. As if she had been waiting. Not just for me to return, but for something more.“You’re up,” I said quietly.“And you too,” she replied.Her voice was soft, but it didn’t waver. She never looked away.Moon help me.I suddenly didn’t know where to put my hands. Or my eyes. Or my words.“Oh—yes. Yes,” I added, offering a small, awkward smile before turning away, letting my feet carry me in no particular direction. Anywhere but closer to her.“What happened last night, Raiden?”I froze mid-step.The question hit harder than I expected, lodging itself right between my ribs.I swallowed, my throat suddenly dry.You really thought you’d escape that? Veyr drawled lazily in my head.I clicked my tongue und
Aria POVI remained seated beside Raiden, unmoving, as if the slightest shift might wake something fragile—or break something precious. My fingers traced slow, absent patterns along his arm, up to his shoulder, then higher until my hand rested against his cheek.He is strong.I know he is.Whatever is wrong with him… he will survive it.You’re lying to yourself, Kaida said quietly in my head. You’re saying that because you’re scared.I swallowed.She wasn’t wrong.Still, I refused to sit there and fall apart. Crying wouldn’t help him. Panicking wouldn’t either. So I inhaled slowly, forcing calm into my lungs, and leaned closer.Up close, Raiden looked unreal.His sharp jawline was relaxed in sleep, his lashes dark against his skin. His lips—gods, his lips—were slightly parted, soft despite the power I knew they held. Everything about his face was unfairly perfect, like the moon itself had taken its time sculpting him.My hand drifted into his hair, fingers sliding through the silk-dar
Aria POVI blinked rapidly, my mind lagging behind my body.For a few heartbeats, I didn’t move. Didn’t breathe.Did… did Raiden just pass out on top of me?“R–Raiden?” My voice came out thin, unsure, like if I spoke too loudly I might shatter something fragile.Nothing.My heart skipped violently.“Raiden?” I tried again, louder this time, my hands coming up to tap his back. Once. Twice. Harder. “Raiden—!”No response.Cold fear slammed into my chest so fast it stole my breath.I shoved against him with all the strength panic could give me, rolling his heavy body off mine and onto the other side of the bed. He landed on his back, completely limp.Unconscious.“Oh my—oh my God.” I gasped, both hands flying to my mouth as I stared down at him.He wasn’t moving.My vision blurred instantly. Tears spilled before I could stop them, hot and useless, as my thoughts spiraled into chaos.What do I do? What do I do?Then Kaida’s voice cracked through my panic, sharp and furious in my head.Don







