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Chapter 31

Author: TESSA YOUNG
last update Last Updated: 2025-03-12 07:51:33

Elijah’s POV

I sat in the dim hotel room, staring at the chipped coffee cup in my hands. The coffee was cold. Had been for hours. But I wasn’t drinking it. Just gripping it like it had answers.

Waiting.

For her.

For Aria.

And that was the problem.

She wasn’t back.

She should’ve been back.

Where the fuck was she?

Then came the knock.

Too hard. Too fast. Urgent.

I was already moving before I even thought about it, the chair scraping against the floor, my body coiled tight like a goddamn wire about to snap.

The soldier outside the door looked like he had been running.

“She’s been gone too long.”

My chest went tight.

“How long?” My voice was flat. Cold.

“Hours.” A sharp inhale. “She hasn’t returned.”

My fingers curled into fists.

Fuck.

I grabbed my coat, shoved past him.

The drive to her house was a blur.

The moment I got there, I knew.

The door was unlocked.

Bad. Bad fucking sign.

I stepped in, ears sharp, eyes scanning.

Her scent was here. Fresh. But fading fast.

My stomach knotted.

I
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