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Aria My brow furrows as my mother's words sink in. There's an implication in her tone that puts me instantly on edge, has apprehension coiling tight in my gut. "What do you mean, I came here like a thief in the night?" I ask hesitantly. My mother sighs, her face growing solemn. She reaches out to take my hand in hers, grip gentle but intent. When she speaks, her voice is heavy with regret. "Aria, your father and I...we know everything that happened. With the Silverfangs." My heart drops like a stone, panic constricting my chest so I can barely suck in a breath. I choke out a stunned "What?" as my mother continues, her words landing like blows. "We know you abandoned your old pack. That you betrayed Moonshadow to join with the Silverfangs. That the child you carry..." She hesitates, eyes shining with disappointment. "That he belongs to their Alpha, Elijah." I reel under the impact of her false words, the injustice of the accusations stealing my breath. Desperate to defend myself
Aria Shock roots me to the spot as my gaze collides with piercing blue eyes I haven't seen in months. Callum stands in the doorway, tall and imposing as ever, his presence hitting me like a physical blow. My heart lurches against my ribs, confusion and fear swirling in a toxic mixture. "What are you doing here?" I demand, my voice coming out high and thin. Callum's eyes flicker to my mother, comprehension slamming into me with sickening force. She brought him here. Betrayed my location to the one person I've been running from all this time. I whirl to face her, hands balling into fists at my sides. "How could you?" I choke out through the rage constricting my throat. "How could you tell him where I was?" My mother reaches for me beseechingly. "Aria, you must understand, I only want what's best for you..." "Best for me?" I shriek, jerking violently out of her grasp. "Bringing the monster who shattered my heart and trust here is what's best?" "He explained everything, dear," my mo
Aria My eyes flutter open, and a wave of disorientation washes over me. Where am I? The room is unfamiliar, not my bedroom back home. I try to lift my head from the plush pillow, but my limbs feel weighed down, like they're made of lead. Fragments of memory creep in. My mother...she injected me with something. The liquid burned as it entered my veins. Then everything went black. I remember Callum's face hovering over me, a look of grim determination etched across his chiseled features. He must have brought me here, wherever "here" is. Fear spikes through my body as I finally notice the bindings around my wrists and ankles, securing me to the bed frame. I'm trapped. The sound of footsteps approaching pulls my attention to the shadowy corner of the room. Callum emerges, back-lit by the soft glow filtering through the bedroom curtains. Even in the dim light, I can make out the hard lines of his body, all sinewy muscle and predatory grace. Our eyes lock, and I try to keep my face impa
Aria The morning light filtering in through the curtains is what finally rouses me from a restless sleep. As wakefulness slowly returns, so does the memory of what transpired between Callum and me last night. Shame burns through me as I recall the way I surrendered to him so completely, gave in to desires I should have resisted with every fiber of my being. What is wrong with me? How could I let him manipulate me like that, use my body's traitorous responses against me? I grit my teeth, anger and disgust swirling hotly inside me. No more. I refuse to be weak, to let Callum gain the upper hand because he knows exactly how to play my body like a well-tuned instrument. I am the mistress of my own fate, not some puppet dancing to his twisted tune. Determination steeling my spine, I try again to tap into that wellspring of power I can normally feel thrumming just below my skin. But there's nothing, not even the barest tingle or spark. Whatever chemical cocktail my mother injected me with
Callum The stone walls of the empty corridor seem to press in on me as I make my way toward Aria's room. Each step feels heavier than the last, the weight of what I'm about to do bearing down on me. I know I have to be cruel, have to push her away and treat her coldly. It's the only way to keep up the ruse, the only way to make sure she stays safe. But Goddess, it's killing me. I pause outside her door, squeezing my eyes shut and taking a deep breath to steel myself. Be strong, Callum. This is for her, even if she'll hate you for it. With that last shred of resolve, I harden my expression to a mask of indifference and push open the door. Aria is sitting on the edge of the bed, her muscles visibly tensing as I enter. Those striking amber eyes narrow, lips curving down. "What do you want?" she snaps, hostility etched into every line of her body. I force back the urge to go to her, to wrap my arms around her and breathe in the woodsy vanilla scent unique to her. Instead I keep my t
Aria Gods, Callum is infuriating. His face hardens as that familiar stubborn glint flashes in his eyes - the same pigheaded determination that got us into this whole mess to begin with. I can practically see the wheels turning as he debates his next move against me. Part of him clearly wants to reassert his dominance, to double down on suppressing my abilities like some addiction he can't kick. The urge to subjugate me is probably humming through his alpha instincts, primal and mindless. But another part of him hesitates, flickering with unease at how thoroughly I overpowered him just moments ago. He knows I'm no longer that helpless prisoner bound and sedated at his mercy. My powers have returned in full, and whether he wants to admit it or not, that reality has shifted the balance of our forces irrevocably. A tense beat passes between us before he finally breaks the charged silence. "Explain how this is possible," he growls. "That serum should have kept your abilities neutralize
AriaAs I sit in the small, sterile room, waiting for the doctor to arrive, I start feeling a knot of anxiety in the pit of my stomach. I've been feeling sick lately – morning sickness, nausea, exhaustion – and I don't know what's causing it.The door opens, and the doctor enters, a kind smile on her face. "Aria," she says, "let's see what's going on with you."I nod, taking a deep breath as she begins to examine me, checking my vitals and asking questions about my symptoms. When she's done, she sits back, her expression thoughtful."Well, Aria," she says, her eyes meeting mine, "I have some news for you. You're pregnant."For a moment, I can't breathe, my mind reeling from the unexpected revelation. But then, as the shock fades, a feeling of pure joy washes over me. I'm going to be a mother… Callum’s a father. He’ll be over the moon."I'm... I'm pregnant?" I stammer, a smile spreading across my face. "Oh, my goodness, I can't believe it!"The doctor smiles back, her eyes warm. "Congr
AriaI collapse to my knees, the weight of Callum's betrayal too much to bear. The damp earth beneath me offers no comfort, no solace from the storm of emotions raging inside me. This was my mate, my love, my entire life, and he just shattered my heart into pieces. Tears stream down my cheeks, my vision blurred with the intensity of my pain.Callum stands there, watching me, his own eyes filled with sorrow. I can sense the regret radiating off him, but it does nothing to soothe the aching wound in my heart."Aria," he whispers, his voice thick with remorse. "I'm so sorry. I never meant to hurt you but it’s just how things are."His words are like a dagger, twisting deeper into my already broken heart. I look up at him, my amber eyes searching for some semblance of the love I had thought we shared. But all I see is the truth I can no longer deny; he loves Tamara."I love her, Aria," he confesses, his voice barely audible. "I never meant for this to happen, but I can't deny what I feel
Aria Gods, Callum is infuriating. His face hardens as that familiar stubborn glint flashes in his eyes - the same pigheaded determination that got us into this whole mess to begin with. I can practically see the wheels turning as he debates his next move against me. Part of him clearly wants to reassert his dominance, to double down on suppressing my abilities like some addiction he can't kick. The urge to subjugate me is probably humming through his alpha instincts, primal and mindless. But another part of him hesitates, flickering with unease at how thoroughly I overpowered him just moments ago. He knows I'm no longer that helpless prisoner bound and sedated at his mercy. My powers have returned in full, and whether he wants to admit it or not, that reality has shifted the balance of our forces irrevocably. A tense beat passes between us before he finally breaks the charged silence. "Explain how this is possible," he growls. "That serum should have kept your abilities neutralize
Callum The stone walls of the empty corridor seem to press in on me as I make my way toward Aria's room. Each step feels heavier than the last, the weight of what I'm about to do bearing down on me. I know I have to be cruel, have to push her away and treat her coldly. It's the only way to keep up the ruse, the only way to make sure she stays safe. But Goddess, it's killing me. I pause outside her door, squeezing my eyes shut and taking a deep breath to steel myself. Be strong, Callum. This is for her, even if she'll hate you for it. With that last shred of resolve, I harden my expression to a mask of indifference and push open the door. Aria is sitting on the edge of the bed, her muscles visibly tensing as I enter. Those striking amber eyes narrow, lips curving down. "What do you want?" she snaps, hostility etched into every line of her body. I force back the urge to go to her, to wrap my arms around her and breathe in the woodsy vanilla scent unique to her. Instead I keep my t
Aria The morning light filtering in through the curtains is what finally rouses me from a restless sleep. As wakefulness slowly returns, so does the memory of what transpired between Callum and me last night. Shame burns through me as I recall the way I surrendered to him so completely, gave in to desires I should have resisted with every fiber of my being. What is wrong with me? How could I let him manipulate me like that, use my body's traitorous responses against me? I grit my teeth, anger and disgust swirling hotly inside me. No more. I refuse to be weak, to let Callum gain the upper hand because he knows exactly how to play my body like a well-tuned instrument. I am the mistress of my own fate, not some puppet dancing to his twisted tune. Determination steeling my spine, I try again to tap into that wellspring of power I can normally feel thrumming just below my skin. But there's nothing, not even the barest tingle or spark. Whatever chemical cocktail my mother injected me with
Aria My eyes flutter open, and a wave of disorientation washes over me. Where am I? The room is unfamiliar, not my bedroom back home. I try to lift my head from the plush pillow, but my limbs feel weighed down, like they're made of lead. Fragments of memory creep in. My mother...she injected me with something. The liquid burned as it entered my veins. Then everything went black. I remember Callum's face hovering over me, a look of grim determination etched across his chiseled features. He must have brought me here, wherever "here" is. Fear spikes through my body as I finally notice the bindings around my wrists and ankles, securing me to the bed frame. I'm trapped. The sound of footsteps approaching pulls my attention to the shadowy corner of the room. Callum emerges, back-lit by the soft glow filtering through the bedroom curtains. Even in the dim light, I can make out the hard lines of his body, all sinewy muscle and predatory grace. Our eyes lock, and I try to keep my face impa
Aria Shock roots me to the spot as my gaze collides with piercing blue eyes I haven't seen in months. Callum stands in the doorway, tall and imposing as ever, his presence hitting me like a physical blow. My heart lurches against my ribs, confusion and fear swirling in a toxic mixture. "What are you doing here?" I demand, my voice coming out high and thin. Callum's eyes flicker to my mother, comprehension slamming into me with sickening force. She brought him here. Betrayed my location to the one person I've been running from all this time. I whirl to face her, hands balling into fists at my sides. "How could you?" I choke out through the rage constricting my throat. "How could you tell him where I was?" My mother reaches for me beseechingly. "Aria, you must understand, I only want what's best for you..." "Best for me?" I shriek, jerking violently out of her grasp. "Bringing the monster who shattered my heart and trust here is what's best?" "He explained everything, dear," my mo
Aria My brow furrows as my mother's words sink in. There's an implication in her tone that puts me instantly on edge, has apprehension coiling tight in my gut. "What do you mean, I came here like a thief in the night?" I ask hesitantly. My mother sighs, her face growing solemn. She reaches out to take my hand in hers, grip gentle but intent. When she speaks, her voice is heavy with regret. "Aria, your father and I...we know everything that happened. With the Silverfangs." My heart drops like a stone, panic constricting my chest so I can barely suck in a breath. I choke out a stunned "What?" as my mother continues, her words landing like blows. "We know you abandoned your old pack. That you betrayed Moonshadow to join with the Silverfangs. That the child you carry..." She hesitates, eyes shining with disappointment. "That he belongs to their Alpha, Elijah." I reel under the impact of her false words, the injustice of the accusations stealing my breath. Desperate to defend myself
Aria The space between me and Elijah feels charged, electric with the weight of the choice I've just made. I can see the anguish in his eyes as he watches me walk away, can feel the severing of our mating bond like a physical ache in my chest. But I force myself to keep moving, descending the ceremonial platform on legs that feel numb and disconnected from my body. This is the only way, I tell myself. The gathered crowd parts silently before me as I pass, their accusing eyes following my retreat. I catch snatches of muttered conversation, words like "traitor" and "coward" piercing my ears. Each whispered condemnation lands like a blow, the hostility pressing in on me from all sides. But I refuse to cower or quicken my pace. I walk steadily onward, my spine straight and chin lifted. Their judgment cannot touch me - not really. When I finally reach my room, I close and lock the door firmly behind me. Only then do I allow myself to sag against the smooth wood, my breath leaving in a
Aria I arrive at the ceremony grounds, my stomach churning with anxiety as furious shouts assault me from the gathered crowd. Heads turn in my direction, eyes burning into me with outrage and accusation. I straighten my spine and lift my chin, refusing to let them see the nerves fraying beneath my composed exterior. This is my own doing. I have no one to blame but myself for the chaos and turmoil rippling through the Silverfang pack. But it's the only way I can see to finally find some semblance of peace and clarity in the storm raging within me. Elijah stands rigidly on the raised wooden platform at the center of the ceremony circle. His powerful frame is taut with tension, his features an impenetrable mask concealing the tempest of emotions I know must be swirling inside him. Only his dark eyes, boring into mine with smoldering intensity, betray the war waging beneath his Alpha dominance. I inhale a steeling breath and stride forward into the sacred clearing, the simmering hostil
Aria I close the front door to Leah's house with a gentle click, stepping out into the quiet street. A chill morning breeze caresses my skin, and I wrap my arms around myself against the cold. I feel raw and exposed after our emotional conversation, like a nerve laid bare. But I know there's no going back now. My choice has been made. With a deep breath, I make my way down the walk and turn in the direction of the packhouse. The tap of my boots on the pavement echoes in the silence, a lonely refrain keeping tempo with my own tumultuous thoughts. Doubt claws at me, whispering that I'm making a mistake. That a true Alpha would stand her ground, would fight to keep what she'd earned. I clench my jaw, steeling myself against the insidious voices. I didn't want to be Alpha, not really. It was forced upon me, a burden I never desired. Returning it to Elijah is the right thing to do. The only thing left that feels true in a world upended. As I near the center of town, flickers of movemen