41. Pampered

Aria's POV I woke up, wrapped around Damien like a vine. It's been so for days. My face pressed against his chest, his heavy arm across my waist. I should have pulled away if I didn't love it so much as I always pretended not to, but I didn't. Because despite everything, he'd become someone I could, I dare say, trust, and someone I feel safe with. Despite his arrogance and being a control freak and dominant, he'd held me through the worst nights I've had in weeks.I hated how much it mattered and how much I've come to cling to him. Since when did I become so clingy? "You awake?" His voice rumbled through his chest." Maybe."I tilted my head back to glare at him. Well, I shouldn't have. His eyes were already on me, dark and warm. I couldn't help the pull towards him. My wolf was not even here."Get dressed," he said, breaking the moment. "We're going out." I blinked."Out?" " You're annoying when you cry. I need a distraction before you start leaking all over me again."Heat flood

Last Updated : 2025-11-22

42. Nothing, Apha

Damien's POV Three of my men walked into my office—Vin, Toby, and Blake. I'd sent them out weeks ago to dig into Aria's past, scrape up anything that might explain the spell, the nightmares, the fragments of memories bleeding through her sleep.They looked like they'd been through hell, but what was begining to annoy me was the fact that their hands were empty.I leaned back in my chair, fingers steepled. "Well?"Marcus cleared his throat. "Nothing, Alpha."My jaw ticked. "Nothing.""We searched every registry. Every old pack archive. Every abandoned territory in the region." Blake stepped forward, expression grim. "There's no record of her. No birth certificate. No pack transfer logs. It's like she appeared out of thin air.""Impossible.""We know," Toby muttered. "But it's like she didn't exist before she showed up at that shithole pack."I pushed to my feet slowly, feeling the beast inside me coil tighter. "You're telling me that a werewolf just appears out of thin air? No fucking

Last Updated : 2025-11-22

43. She was lied to

Damien's POV The drive to Regan's pack felt longer than it should have.I sat in the back of the SUV, watching the road with rage burning in me. That's all I've been feeling lately. Rage. And I couldn't fucking help it. My mind ran through every method I'd use to extract information from that bastard.Aria had wanted to come.I'd told her no.She'd argued, said it was her right, but I shut it down before she could finish. The plan as to leave after she'd fallen asleep, but turns out she's been watching my every move, out of nothing but curiosity. She really wanted to know everything. I guess my promise wasn't exactly enough.Blake sat in the passenger seat, silent. My other men followed in two SUVs behind us, armed and ready. We weren't here for diplomacy. We were here for answers, and I'd get them no matter what it cost.When we pulled up to Regan's pack house, the wolves guarding the entrance stiffened.They recognized me.Good.I stepped out of the car, and the air shifted immedi

Last Updated : 2025-11-24

44. Back to training

Aria's POVI woke before the sun.My body ached a little, my throat was raw from crying, and my chest still felt like it had been split open and left to bleed. But underneath all of that was something else.Anger.I was done. Done letting other people decide what happened to me. Done being some fragile thing everyone else had to protect or use or break.I sat up carefully, trying not to wake Damien. He was sprawled on his back beside me, one arm thrown over his head, his chest rising and falling in steady breaths.But I wasn't crying anymore.I slipped out of bed and grabbed a pair of leggings and a sports bra from the dresser. My hands shook a little as I tied my hair back, but I forced them steady.By the time Damien stirred, I was already lacing up my sneakers."What are you doing?" he asked, his voice rough with sleep."Getting ready," I said without looking at him."For what?"I turned and met his gaze head-on. "Training."He sat up slowly, frowning. "You're still recovering.""I

Last Updated : 2025-11-25

45. Brutal training

Aria's POVDays went by.Damien trained me like I was preparing for war.He pushed harder than he did with any of his warriors. Harder than I thought was possible.Every morning, before the sun fully rose, he dragged me out of bed and onto the training grounds. Every night, I collapsed back into it bruised, exhausted, and furious.But stronger."Block!" he barked, coming at me with a strike that would've broken ribs if it landed.I twisted out of the way just in time, feeling the air whoosh past my side."Stop dodging and counter," he snapped."I'm trying!""Try harder."I snarled and lunged at him, aiming a punch at his jaw. He blocked it easily, grabbed my wrist, and twisted. Pain shot up my arm, and I dropped to one knee with a hiss."Predictable," he said coldly. "You telegraph every move."I yanked my wrist free and shoved him hard in the chest. He didn't budge."Maybe if you actually taught me instead of just beating the hell out of me, I'd get better," I snapped.His eyes flash