Finding Jasper in this room had been a blessing. He was one of the few friendly faces who I knew would support me around here.Most of Lucian’s family didn’t think much of me at all, believing I never deserved him. Did they still think that, I wondered? Some of the glances sent my way were more pity
Aria’s POVIn response to Julia’s question, I gave her a sad, small smile. That seemed to be enough for her, as her brow immediately pulled together.“Oh, Aria. No.”“I’m sorry,” I told her. Glancing at Harold, I added, “Truly. But I am serious about this. I imagine things will be properly resolved
Lucian’s POVJasper’s words didn’t surprise me overmuch, but they did unearth some lingering annoyance that I thought I had buried deep down inside of me.“So you are dating her,” I grumbled.“Is that what I said?” Jasper asked, his tone utterly irritating with how smug it sounded.I didn’t have tim
“Get out of my face, Jasper.”He shrugged. “Don’t say no one told you the truth. Someday you’ll realize it for yourself, but by then it will be too late. It’s too late now.” Jasper motioned toward Aria. “She doesn’t want you, cousin. And she never will again.”The hole in my chest pulsed, causing me
Aria’s POVEven from where I am sitting in an adjoining room, I hear Sheila’s arrival and her announcement.“Lucian’s… date?” I gasp.Through the doorway, I watched as Lucian turned to look at me, our eyes locking across the room.My already wounded heart urged him to deny Sheila’s claims. Instead,
Aria’s POV“She has to be drunk or something,” people whispered all around.“There’s no way that’s the truth.”“Lucian would marry Sheila, after everything she did? No, it has to be a lie.”Hearing the whispers, I sunk further and further into myself.Julia looked at me in shock, but I couldn’t repl
Aria’s POVWhatever plans I had to break away and retrieve my diary immediately leave my mind the moment Harold started to drop.Lucian caught him first, then eased him down to the ground. But, in the next moment, I was right there beside him, checking his heartrate and his breathing.His pulse was
Jasper’s POVJasper had known Lucian all his life, but this was the first time he had ever seen Lucian looking so defeated. The Alpha King, usually so regal and composed, was, in this moment, like a shadow of his former self. He was hollowed out, curled in on himself with his forehead pressed to the
But Jasper’s words still rang true. When was the last time, as Alpha, I had ever been happy?The job made me miserable, even before Aria had left me. Constant pressure, constant responsibility, constant ridicule, limited thanks. Years and years of it had worn me down, eroded like a rock in the water
Lucian’s POVJasper’s punch caught me by surprised. I stumbled back, nearly into the elevator again as the doors started to close. He definitely broke my nose. Holding it, I stepped forward again, back off the elevator. Blood dripped down onto my shirt.Jasper had several different reasons to be pis
Over the next few days, I didn’t see Lucian at all. Presumably he saw the kids after I took them to spend time with their grandparents. Harold was out of the hospital and eager to see the kids.With the kids there, I returned to Cathy’s and started packing up my clothes and that of the kids. Cathy w
Aria’s POV“Lucian…”I could tell he was hanging on my every word, nervously anticipating my answer.I hated that I was about to break him. But surely he would understand.“I’m sorry,” I said. “I can’t marry you.” Before he could say anything, and he clearly wanted by how quickly he opened his mouth
Aria’s POVWe all waited with bated breath to see how Harold would handle the medicine. Perhaps I had been too late in providing it? The heart monitor was still beating too quickly. Harold was moaning in pain. The nearby Healers seemed ready to help him along with his passing. Piper and I physically
Aria’s POVAt the hospital, Lucian gave me a final squeeze. “Please help him,” he said.“I’ll do my best,” I promised. Then, breaking away from him, leaving him with Julia in the waiting room, I rushed to the emergency room to see what was going on.Fortunately, one of the nurses lent me a hair-tie
“But the food hasn’t arrived yet,” he said.I couldn’t wait. Feeling like I was going to pass out, I needed out of here.I pushed my chair back and stood. “I’m sorry,” I said.Turning, I hurried away from the table, from the dining room, from the restaurant. I threw the door open and ran outside.Wh
Aria’s POVSilas’s words haunted me long after the phone conversation, and that, combined with my discussion with Cathy and Piper convinced me to at least hear Lucian out. Because of this, when he called me to talk, and asked me to go out on a date with him, I decided to say yes.Now, after dressing
Aria’s POVHow was it, even after all this time, after all this distance, after all the hurt that sat piled up between us – I still so easily fell back into Lucian’s web.I wanted to be stronger, to be harder, and keep up the walls with him, yet every time we’d been around each other, he seemed to s