Aria He falls silent, still not meeting my gaze. A heavy beat passes, thick with all the things we can never take back."I loved you," I whisper finally, my heart spasming painfully in my chest as I give voice to the burning truth. "More than I thought it was possible to love someone. You were everything to me - friend, lover, partner, mate. Losing you... it's like losing a vital part of myself. A wound I'll carry with me forever."His eyes snap back to mine, shimmering with unshed tears. In the glistening blue, I see my own grief and desolation reflected back at me. We're both shattered by this, broken pieces that will never fit together again."But I have to find a way to heal now," I push on, voice cracking with emotion. "To pick up those pieces and build something new. And I have to do it without you."A single tear slips down his cheek, glinting silver in the moonlight. "I know," he rasps. "And I hope you find happiness again, Ari. It's all I've ever wanted for you. Even if I'm n

Aria I vaguely recognize her as Soren, one of the unmated females who's been vying for Elijah's attention since long before I arrived. The jealousy radiating from her is almost palpable, envy souring her crisp pine scent. "Excuse me?" I grit out, hackles rising at her antagonistic tone. Soren steps closer, invading my personal space in a blatant challenge. "You heard me. What did you do to convince Elijah to let you stay? Bat your lashes and spread your legs like a good little she-wolf?" Rage ignites in my veins, white-hot and searing. How dare she imply something so crass, so demeaning? As if the only value I could possibly offer is as a sexual plaything. My wolf snarls within me, begging to be let loose on this impudent female. To put her in her place and assert our dominance. But I tamp down on the urge, knowing violence will only escalate the situation. "I earned my place here, just like everyone else," I reply instead, injecting steel into my tone. "Not that it's any of your

AriaIn that moment, I realize that I can't run from this. I can't hide away in the safe harbor of Silverfang and pretend none of this is happening.This is my fight now, my burden to bear. For the sake of my unborn child and the future of our entire species.With grim determination, I straighten my spine and meet Tamara's haunted gaze. "Then we find another way. We gather allies, resources. We do whatever it takes to protect my baby and stop Callum before it's too late."Her eyes widen, a flicker of hope sparking to life in their stormy depths. "You mean...you'll fight him?"I nod, a leaden weight settling in my chest. "I don't have a choice. If I don't stand against him, no one will. And my child will be lost to his twisted ambitions."It's a terrifying prospect, the idea of facing down the male I once loved above all others. But I know in my bones that it's the only way forward.For better or worse, the fate of the werewolf world now rests on my shoulders. On the tiny, innocent lif

AriaI drift slowly into consciousness, the world a blurry haze as my eyes flutter open. The soft light of the infirmary greets me, its warm glow chasing away the lingering shadows of my dreams.I try to sit up, but my body protests, a deep ache radiating through my muscles. I wince, biting back a groan as I struggle to rise.Suddenly, strong hands are there, gently guiding me upright. I look up into Elijah's face, his dark eyes filled with relief and tenderness."Easy," he murmurs, his touch reassuring and warm against my skin. "You've been through quite an ordeal."Memories rush back in fragmented pieces - the confrontation at the border, Callum's crazed desperation, the searing pain in my belly. I shudder, pressing a hand to my stomach."The baby...is it...?""The baby is fine," Elijah assures me, his fingers twining with mine. "Tamara checked you over herself. You just need rest."Relief crashes over me, so intense it steals my breath. I sag against the pillows, hot tears pricking

AriaThe morning air is crisp and cold against my skin as I step out of the packhouse, a shiver running down my spine. I wrap my arms around myself, trying to ward off the chill, but it's not just the temperature that has me trembling. It's the knowledge of what's about to happen, the weight of the choice I'm about to make.Around me, the Silverfang pack assembles in silence, their faces grim and their eyes haunted. I can feel their tension, their anger, pulsing like a living thing in the air between us. They're gathered here to witness justice being served, to see the male who betrayed us all finally face the consequences of his actions.But as I watch Callum being led to the makeshift platform in the center of the clearing, his hands bound and his head bowed, all I feel is a sickening sense of dread. This isn't justice. This is vengeance, plain and simple. And no matter what he's done, no matter how much he's hurt me... I can't let it happen.I can't let them kill the father of my c