All Chapters of The Alpha's Seventh Bride: Chapter 71 - Chapter 80

Damian's POV“Aria, stay close to me.”That was the first thing I said when she opened her eyes in the morning. She looked tired, her hair messy, her eyes still showing traces of yesterday’s fear. But she nodded and slipped out of the bed quietly.I hadn’t slept. I sat on the couch the entire night going through reports, tracking movements in the palace, checking the cameras from the hallways. I couldn’t rest knowing someone inside my own home had threatened her.Aria stepped beside me, holding her hands together. “Did you sleep at all?” She asked.“No.” I answered honestly. “And I’m not planning to until this ends.”She opened her mouth to argue, but I raised a hand. “You are not leaving my sight today.” I added. “You are moving with me everywhere.”“Damian-”“I’m not repeating myself, Aria.”She closed her mouth and nodded again quietly.Good.I stood, placed a hand on her lower back, and guided her out of the room as Ethan caught up to us.“Damian” Ethan greeted.“Good morning

Aria's POV“Silence.”“Everyone will listen.”“This court has heard enough.”Damian’s voice cut through the hall, steady and cold. I stood beside him, my hands shaking, my heart still racing from everything that had been revealed. The hall that was loud moments ago fell completely quiet. Vivian was on her knees now her hair was loose, her face pale, her eyes wild.“I didn’t mean to harm her.” Vivian cried. “I only wanted her gone.”Damian looked down at her. “You threatened my wife.”“She took my place!” Vivian screamed. “She took everything!”Damian didn’t raise his voice and that scared me more.“For threatening Aria.” He said. “For using palace workers, for causing fear and harm within my walls, this is my judgment.”I held my breath. “Vivian will receive one hundred strokes.”A sharp gasp filled the hall Lilith stiffened immediately, her fingers gripping the edge of her seat. Isolde’s face was drained of color. Mariana looked away, her jaw tight. Celine’s lips trembled, but she

Aria's POV“Lock it.”“I did.”“Again please, lock it again.”Kara turned back to the door and slid the lock once more. The sound was small, but it echoed loudly in my head. I stood in the middle of my room, my hands shaking so badly I had to press them together to steady myself.“They won’t come in.” Kara said softly. “You are safe here.”I nodded, but my body didn’t believe her.The image of Adrian standing in the court, claiming me, replayed again and again in my mind. Damian’s face after that the way the room went quiet. The fear in the air. I felt like I was still standing there, unable to move.“I need to clean this.” I said suddenly.“Clean what?” Kara asked.I walked to the drawer beside my bed and pulled it open. Inside were folded papers, envelopes, some were already creased from being opened and closed too many times; letters were all from Adrian.My chest tightened and Kara’s eyes widened. “Aria… you kept them?”“I didn’t answer him.” I said quickly. “I never answered.

Aria's POVI didn’t turn back.My feet slammed against the stone path as I ran, my breath sharp and uneven, my heart beating so hard it hurt.I clutched my bag tight against my chest as I passed through the last gate. No guards stopped me and alarms sounded the night swallowed me whole the moment I crossed out of the palace grounds.I kept running.The road stretched ahead, empty and dark. My legs burned, but I did not slow down. I did not allow myself to think about Damian’s face if he found out. I did not allow myself to think about his growl, his orders, his anger.I just ran.By the time I reached the human territory, my chest felt tight. The lights of the city came into view, bright and busy, nothing like the cold stone walls of the palace. Cars passed, people walked by, laughing, talking, and living normal lives.This was the world I wanted.I slowed down, pulling my hoodie over my head, lowering my face. My hair was messy, my hands were shaking. I blended into the crowd as best

Aria's POV“Eat.” Tobias said gently. “You look like you haven’t eaten in days.”“I haven’t.” I answered, already reaching for the plate.He slid the food closer to me across the metal table. Greasy fries, a thick burger, the smell alone made my stomach twist painfully. I didn’t wait, I bit into it fast, chewing without shame. I was starving, shaking, and exhausted.Tobias watched me with quiet concern.“Slow down.” He said. “It is not running away.”I swallowed hard. “I know I just….” I stopped myself and took another bite.The biker shop was noisy in a familiar way. Engines outside music playing low from an old speaker. Men laughing near the counter. It smelled like oil, metal, and food. It felt real. Human safety.For the first time since I left the palace, my shoulders loosened a little.Tobias leaned back in his chair, folding his arms. His leather jacket was half-zipped, his dark hair tied back loosely. His eyes stayed on me, careful, like he didn’t want to scare me.“You sho