LOGINRaiden POVLucian finally left me alone with my thoughts.The discussion we’d had earlier still lingered—reports, patrol routes, supply movements, the usual weight of a kingdom that never truly slept. When he excused himself, I didn’t return to my desk. I needed air. Distance.So I stepped out onto the balcony.From here, the training grounds stretched wide beneath me, alive with movement and sound. Steel clashing lightly. Laughter. The dull thud of bodies hitting dirt. It was a familiar rhythm—one I’d grown up watching, commanding, bleeding for.And then there was her.Aria moved across the ground with a focus that made my chest tighten. Not stiff. Not reckless. Just… present. She listened with her whole body now. I could see it in the way she shifted her weight before striking, how she recovered faster from missteps, how she didn’t freeze when challenged.Pride settled deep in my bones.No one could tell me she didn’t belong here.She fit—not because she was my mate, not because fat
Aria POVI’d been up and active for hours already. My first training session with Elowen was finally done, and I was supposed to be resting—keyword: supposed.And Raiden? Nowhere near me today.The big guy had “pack matters” to deal with alongside Lucian. Whatever that meant. Alpha business, probably. Brooding. Strategizing. Looking intimidating in dark corners.I headed back to the training ground and immediately spotted Ava and Emma waiting for me. Liam was there too—but positioned a little too far off, arms crossed, clearly planning to be nothing more than an audience member for whatever chaos was about to unfold.I slowed my steps, raised a brow, and let a smirk curl my lips.Something was definitely going on.“Ah-ah,” Ava said quickly, lifting her hands like she’d been caught. “Don’t overthink it. It’s nothing serious.”Oh, it was absolutely something serious.“Yes, don’t take her seriously,” Liam added from where he stood, smug as ever.Ava didn’t even hesitate.The water bottle
Raiden POVI rose back over her slowly, deliberately, like I was reclaiming the space between us. My mouth traced a path along her skin—her neck first, where her pulse betrayed her, then her collarbone, lingering there as if I could memorize the shape of her by touch alone. I kissed her everywhere I could reach, slow and possessive, not rushed, not careless. Each kiss was a promise I wasn’t ready to say out loud.Her breath hitched beneath me. I felt it. Felt her.When my mouth finally found her lips, it wasn’t gentle. It was hungry, claiming, the kind of kiss that said you’re mine without ever needing words. She answered instantly, melting into me, hands clutching at my shoulders like she was afraid I’d disappear if she loosened her grip.I pulled back.Just enough.Her eyes flew open, wide and glassy, her lips swollen, parted. She shook her head immediately, almost desperately.“Don’t,” she whispered. “Please… don’t stop.”That look nearly broke me.I smiled—small, restrained, the k
Raiden POVI led her out of the steam-filled bathroom slowly, one hand at her waist, the other still damp from washing her skin. Water clung to her lashes, traced the curve of her collarbone, slid down places my eyes refused to leave.Veyr stirred again—low, insistent.She wants it.I felt it too.She didn’t look away. Not when I stopped. Not when I turned to face her fully. Her lips were parted, breath shallow, eyes darker than before—uncertain, yes, but wanting.That look was my undoing.I lifted her without warning.She gasped, a sharp, surprised sound—and then her legs wrapped around my waist like it was instinct, like her body had already decided what her mouth hadn’t dared to say yet.I growled softly.Her fingers clutched my shoulders, nails biting just enough to remind me she was real, warm, here. I pressed my mouth to her neck, slow at first—testing—then deeper, lingering where her skin was sensitive, where her breath shattered into soft, helpless sounds.Every gasp fed the f
Aria POVTime really did slip through my fingers.One moment I was fighting shadow-creatures and learning how not to get flattened before striking back—and the next, the sun was already leaning low, my body humming with that deep, aching exhaustion that meant I’d actually worked.“Okay,” Liam announced dramatically as we walked through the corridor, hands behind his head, “I just want it on record that if you keep training like this, I’m retiring early.”Ava scoffed. “Please. You’d cry for one day and come crawling back.”“I would not cry,” he protested. “I’d dramatically reflect.”Emma leaned closer to me, voice bright. “You did amazing today, Luna Aria. Like—really amazing. I’d actually love to spar with you someday.”I blinked. “You would?”“And please call me just Aria, that’s fine.” I replied.“Absolutely, ok I will ” she said, grinning. “No offense, but I’d like to see if you’re as scary up close.”I laughed. “Sounds good. Someday.”“See?” Liam pointed at Emma. “She’s already co
Aria POVI didn’t get far before Elowen called me back.“Enough flirting with the Alpha,” she said mildly, hands clasped behind her back, eyes glinting with amusement. “Back to work, Moonborn.”I groaned under my breath but obeyed, rolling my shoulders as I stepped back into the training circle. My muscles protested immediately—everything ached in that deep, heavy way that reminded you you’d earned it.Elowen circled me slowly, the hem of her robe brushing the dirt. “Now,” she said, voice turning serious, “we go deeper. You’ve been using your power instinctively. It’s time you understand what it actually is.”I straightened.She lifted her hand. “Your primary ability is Moonfire Light.”The name alone sent a strange thrill down my spine.Elowen gestured. “Call it.”I inhaled, focused—and silver bloomed in my palm. Not harsh. Not wild. A soft, living glow, like moonlight given shape.Kaida hummed in my head.Pretty. Very pretty. Burn something.“Behave,” I muttered.Elowen smiled knowi







