Novels by Midnight Flames

Chapter 73Arianna’s POVThe world tilted around me as Alaric’s words sank in. How could he say something like that without even trying to bat an eyelid? It's as though for some reason, he had forgotten that Elena was his mate.Even though he just rejected her, he must still feel something for her.Right? Pity? Guilt? Anything?My breath caught, my fingers trembling as I clutched the edges of my dress. She had done a wrong thing, but I couldn't even bring myself not to pityher."We could pass whatever punishment meant for someone who tried to seduce the Alpha to Elena… since that's what she did."Elena, who had schemed and manipulated, who had done everything in her power to put me in a bad lime light in front of Sergio and the entire pack.I blinked, my heart hammering against my ribs.I searched Alaric’s face, looking for something—anything—that would tell me I misheard him. But his expression remained unreadable, a mask of unshaken authority. The air in the room thickened, pres

Arianna's POV“Sergio, she’s just a maid,” I said, exhaling deeply. “She’s not just a maid,” Sergio snapped, his eyes narrowing. “I’ve been Alpha long enough to know when someone is hiding something.” I crossed my arms, leaning back against the armrest of the couch. “She’s scared, Sergio. You confronted her like a criminal. Of course she panicked.” Sergio paced the room, his shoulders tense. The glow of the moon spilled through the window, illuminating his furrowed brows. “Arianna, I can’t ignore this. Something about her feels... wrong.” I sighed, running a hand through my hair. “Not everyone who’snervous has a hidden agenda. She’s new. She’s trying to adjust. Please, let it go.” His sharp gaze softened slightly as he turned to me. “You always see the good in people.” “And you see the bad,” I countered, offering a faint smile. “That’s why we balance each other.” Sergio finally sat down beside me, his hand finding mine. The warmth of his touch sent a ripple of comfort th

à 34 Arianna’s POV My mouth fell open as I stared at Mia, the revelation knocking the breath out of me. “Y-you’re Sergio’s cousin?” I stammered, my eyes darting between the two of them. Mia stood there with a smirk plastered on her face, looking far too pleased with herself. Sergio, on the other hand, was barely holding back a grin. “Oh, come on, Arianna,” Mia teased, folding her arms. “Did you think I was just some random wolf who wandered in and decided to stick around?” I blinked, trying to process the information. “I mean...yes?” Sergio chuckled, his deep voice sending a strange warmth through me. “Mia’s been part of my life since we were pups. She’s practically a sister to me.” “But how?” I demanded, my voice rising. “When did she even get here? She wasn’t around when I first came to the pack.” Mia shrugged, clearly enjoying my confusion. “I arrived not long ago. Sergio called me back from an assignment when things started heating up with the rogues. I

Chapter 70 ARIANNA'S POV I inhaled deeply, trying to steady my nerves as I walked toward the storage room where the healers kept the herbs and fresh towels. My hands were still slightly unsteady, my mind a tangled mess of emotions after everything that had just happened with Elena. The fight. The anger in her eyes. The way I had won—something I knew neither of us had expected. And then Alaric. I clenched my jaw, shaking my head as I pushed the thought away. Now wasn’t the time. I had come out here for a reason—to gather the herbs and towels for Sergio. I needed to focus on that, not on the way my body still felt charged from the confrontation, or the way Alaric had looked at me when he had stepped in. I forced my mind into a blank state, moving quickly as I gathered the things I needed. My fingers automatically picked out the right herbs—lavender for calming, comfrey for pain relief, and a few dried leaves of wolfsbane for disinfecting wounds. I grabbed a stack of soft l

Chapter 69 ALARIC’S POV A sharp pain tore through my chest, an invisible force gripping my ribs and squeezing until I could barely breathe. I clenched my teeth, my hands balling into fists as I braced myself against the wave of agony rolling through me. My wolf howled in my head, a mournful, gut-wrenching sound that sent shivers down my spine. Damn it… I had expected the rejection to hurt—but not like this. It was as if claws were raking through my insides, tearing at the bond that once connected me to Elena. My body felt like it was burning from the inside out, and for the first time in years, I felt weak. Mia must have noticed because her brows furrowed with concern as she moved closer. "Alaric?" I sucked in a sharp breath, forcing myself to stay upright. "I’m fine," I gritted out. "Liar," she muttered. Before I could protest, she knelt beside me, her hands hovering uncertainly over my arm. "It’s the rejection, isn’t it?" I let out a rough exhale, beads of sweat formi

Chapter 68 ALARIC'S POV The tension in my chest was unbearable. My mind replayed Elena’s broken expression over and over again, but I shoved the guilt aside. I knew I had done the right thing. Mia walked ahead of me, her posture stiff as she led me through the dimly lit halls. The silence between us was thick, filled with unspoken words. When we finally reached her room, she pushed the door open and stepped aside, gesturing for me to enter. I hesitated for a moment before stepping inside, the soft click of the door closing behind me sealing me in with my thoughts. Mia leaned against the wooden desk, her arms crossed over her chest as she studied me. Her sharp eyes were unreadable, but I could tell she had questions—ones she wouldn’t let me walk away from. "Sit," she said. I sighed but obeyed, sinking into the chair beside her bed. My body felt heavy, as if the weight of my decision had finally settled onto my shoulders. Mia exhaled and tilted her head slightly. "Why?" I