ARIA'S POV When I got to the middle of the wood I decide to look into the map. As I study the map, the sound of footsteps interrupts my thoughts. Before I can gather myself or hide in the nearby bushes, I feel someone right behind me. I don’t need to turn around to know who it is.It’s Xander.I expected him to come after me, but I didn’t think he’d catch up this quickly.“What are you doing out here?” he asks, his voice a mix of concern and frustration.I almost laugh. If anyone has the right to be angry between us, it’s me. I’m the one who was locked up by my own mate to stop me from pursuing a goal I've been fighting for even before the day we first met.“Why do you care?” I snap back, refusing to show any weakness.Xander pinches the bridge of his nose, letting out a heavy sigh. “Let’s go home,” he says, reaching to pull me toward the direction of the house.But I yank my hand back, planting my feet firmly on the ground. “No!” I say, my voice sharp. “I’m not going anywhere with
XANDER'S POVI catch Aria’s body just before she collapses.As I carry her toward the house, each step feels heavier with anger, mostly directed at myself. I know I shouldn’t have done it. I know I should have respected her decision, her right to choose what she wants to do. But I couldn’t stop myself.She is my priority my mate, my responsibility, my only family. It’s my duty to keep her safe, to protect her from anything that might hurt her. I couldn’t protect my family in the past, but Aria…I’ll defend her with every fiber of my being, even if it means she’ll be furious with me later.I’m prepared to take all the silent treatments, the harsh words, anything that she might throw at me because of this. I’d much rather face her anger than let her walk into danger and end up hurt…or worse.Yes, I know it’s selfish, but I prefer my mate alive and well. I want our child to grow healthy and safe, without any risks looming over us.“What happened to her?” Jackson asks the moment I step int
ARIA'S POVI expected my head to be in tremendous pain when I woke up.But to my surprise, I’m grateful that it’s not.However, my neck feels like it’s been torn off and then hastily put back on.Well… I guess I shouldn’t be too surprised. After all, Xander literally snapped it.I still can't believe he actually did that.He fucking snapped my neck. And that says a lot about the extent he would go to just to stop me from seeking vengeance.Too bad it’s going to take more than a snapped neck to stop me.I’ve worked too hard and for far too long to be stopped by something as trivial as a neck snap.I attempt to stand up from the bed, and thankfully, my neck isn’t as wobbly as before. It’s back in place, but the pain still stings.I glance around the unfamiliar room. It’s not one I recognize, but considering the size of this house, it’s probably just one of the many rooms here.I start looking for my backpack, and thankfully, I spot it by the side of the bed.A sigh escapes me, mixed wit
ARIA'S POVThe door creaks open slightly.“Oh my goddess, Jace, she’s not okay! Look at her!”“Where are your medications? I’ll take you to get them.” Still breathing heavily, with one hand wrapped protectively around my belly, the guard helps me to my feet. He’s kind and gentle, guiding me carefully down the hall towards mine and Xander’s room.Once inside, he helps me sit on the bed, his expression filled with concern. I can see the worry etched on his face, and it’s hard not to feel a pang of guilt for what I’m planning. for tricking them into thinking I'm in pain.“Where are the medications? I’ll grab them for you,” he says, his voice laced with genuine care.“In that drawer over there,” I tell him, pointing to the dresser by the window.He nods and heads straight for it, opening the drawer and beginning to rummage through its contents. A part of me screams not to go through with what I’m about to do, but another part knows I have no choice.“Hey, where are you going?” he asks as
ARIA'S POV“You know, we can switch if you don’t mind,” Marcus offers, breaking the silence that’s filled the car for the past four hours.“Well, I do mind, so just sit tight,” I snap back.Even though I’m not too tired to keep driving, I wouldn’t mind a break, especially since I’ll need all my strength when we reach our destination. But I can’t bring myself to trust Marcus, at least not after he so clearly said he thinks I should be at home, sitting around like some damsel in distress waiting for her Prince Charming to come and fight her battles for her.“You don’t have to be that mean,” he chuckles.I don’t know if I’m just restless or if it’s my hormones acting up like always, but I’ve been snappier with Marcus than I probably should be. Whatever the reason, it’s not like I forced him to come along he invited himself. So whatever grumpy or irritated side of me he gets, that’s on him.“You know, you can always get off around here,” I say, tightening my grip on the steering wheel. “I
ARIA'S POV The car falls into silence for a few moments, the kind that feels a little heavy, almost as if both of us are lost in thought.After a while, I break it. “You know, you never told me how you found out about the new date. We all thought it was still months away,” I say, giving him a curious look.“That’s because Victor is related to my father,” he replies, as if it should be obvious.I frown, confused. “I thought your dad cut ties with him.”“He did,” he says, shaking his head, “but lately, he and Victor have been trying to ‘rekindle’ things and forgive each other. It’s supposed to be some kind of fresh start. But honestly, I know it’s all nonsense.”I try to wrap my head around this new information. Why would Alpha Julius, someone as strict as he is, want to reconnect with a man like Victor? I was under the impression that Julius only wanted Simon on his side, not another enemy. I hesitate, then ask, “Why would he do that?”Marcus shrugs. “Why else? Julius is getting greed
XANDER'S POV“You’re going to act like civilized adults when we walk into this place. No one is allowed to start a fight. Whatever anyone says to get under our skin, we swallow it like it’s the sweetest candy we’ve ever tasted,” Jacob instructs me and Caine.I almost chuckle at his choice of words but manage to hold it back.“Understood, guys?” he adds, his tone firm.“It’s ironic how the guy with the thinnest patience here is the one lecturing us on being civilized,” Caine mutters while straightening his tie.As much as Caine’s comment is annoying as always it’s hard to deny that he’s spitting facts. Jacob is the most hot-headed of the bunch, and pressing his buttons is easier than walking a trained pet.One small insult, one tiny sign of disrespect, and Jacob will flip out, putting his fighting skills on full display.“What the hell are you trying to say?” Jacob growls, his jaw tightening.“See what I mean?” Caine smirks, turning to me with a knowing look.“Guys, we are not here to
ARIA'S POV “That one looks good. Just pick a tie to go with it,” I tell Marcus, turning back to face the full-length mirror in front of me.“I’m trying,” he says with a sigh, running a hand through his hair.We’re currently in a boutique at the mall. After one of our long chats, I gave in and let Marcus drive. When we arrived at Victor’s territory, we didn’t encounter any issues probably because I was with his nephew.We decided it would be best to get a change of clothes since this is supposed to be a grand event. My pants and jacket would have given me away immediately, and even Marcus needed to upgrade from his usual t-shirt and black jeans.“Just pick this one,” I say, pointing at a maroon tie hanging on the rack.“Why would I want a maroon tie?” he asks, raising a brow.“Because my dress is maroon,” I reply, motioning to the dress I’m wearing.That earns me a chuckle from Marcus, which catches me off guard.“What? We used to wear matching stuff all the time,” I say, trying to de
ARIA'S POV When I was sure Albert was dead, I dragged what was left of his body to the mud pit at the far end of the clearing. My hands were trembling, and my breathing was uneven, but I had no time to dwell on it.The chaos from the ceremony was still ringing in my ears, and I needed to get back. After wiping my hands on the damp earth, I made my way back to the gathering. But when I arrived, what greeted me was utter destruction.People were running in all directions, panic clear on their faces. Shattered decorations and overturned chairs littered the ground. Fires burned in scattered patches, and the air smelled of blood and smoke.I searched the area for Marcus, but he was nowhere to be seen. Neither was Xander. My heart pounded in my chest as I scanned the chaos. The only person I could make out was Russel, who was helping people escape from the premises.Where’s Victor? I thought to myself, my anxiety growing.Pushing through the chaos, I kept searching until I finally caught s
ARIA’S POV““Hello, Berta. I knew we’d meet again, but I didn’t expect it to be this soon,” I said with a smirk, watching the fear flicker in her eyes. It was clear she hadn’t anticipated this confrontation, and the sight of her trembling filled me with satisfaction.“A-Aria... What are you doing here? And you...” She paused, sniffing the air cautiously. “You smell different.”“We’re not friends or long lost allies, Berta, so what I smell like should be none of your business,” I replied coldly, taking a deliberate step toward her.She stepped back instinctively, and for every step I took, she retreated further, her back finally pressing against the rough bark of a tree.In a sudden, desperate move, she pulled out a knife and plunged it into her stomach. Warm blood splattered onto my hand, and for a moment, I froze in shock.“Berta!” I shouted, my voice rising with disbelief. “What the heck did you just do?”She slumped to the ground, clutching her self inflicted wound, her breaths com
ARIA'S POV From the corner of my eye, I spotted a familiar figure a woman with grey hair tied in her usual thin plaits, wearing the same plain dress I'd seen her in countless times before.Her scent hit me before her identity fully registered, and with it came a rush of emotions I couldn’t suppress. Anger, grief, and hatred all mixed into a bitter concoction I’d been forced to swallow over the years.How could I ever forget that scent?For a moment, I hesitated. I wanted to stay and savour the view before me Victor, the man who orchestrated so much of my suffering, unknowingly sipping from his poisoned glass of wine. But this wasn’t just about revenge. It was about justice, and justice demanded answers.I turned on my heel and followed her, keeping my distance. She walked briskly, her movements deliberate, as though she were on a mission. My instincts screamed that this could be a trap, but curiosity won. Whatever this was, I needed to know.My hand brushed the weapon strapped to my
XANDER'S POV"i'm in" Marcus says the desperation in his tone clear as day.“This isn’t the place to talk about these things,” I say, my voice steady but firm. I glance at him, trying to figure out what Aria must have said to him. Something has clearly changed because, out of nowhere, he’s full of determination to join the plan.I still can’t wrap my head around it. The last time we spoke, he made it very clear he had no interest in this event, let alone helping with anything related to it.In fact, he outright told me he wasn’t coming.“That’s exactly why we need to do this now,” he says. His tone is calm but urgent as he pulls a small pocket knife out of his jacket. Before I can even react, he slices his palm without hesitation. Blood seeps from the cut, and he holds out his hand toward me, silently urging me to shake it.For a moment, I’m stunned. I blink, trying to process what just happened. Amusement and shock mix inside me.“Do you even know what you’re doing right now?” I ask,
ARIA’S POV“Oh, hey Marc,” I say, smiling as Marcus steps up beside me from behind.“Hey, Marc,” Kristie echoes, wiping her mouth with a napkin.“Hi,” Marcus responds with a polite nod.“I’m Kristie,” she introduces herself, offering him a hand to shake before I even get the chance to introduce them.“Nice to meet you, Kristie. I’m Marcus,” he says, shaking her hand firmly.We both chuckle at their exchange, though my mind is elsewhere.We need to get out of Xander’s reach, I tell Marcus through the mind link.I haven’t looked back since Kristie and I walked away, but I can feel Xander’s eyes boring into my back, hot and heavy like a burning flame.“He’s just being a good mate, as he should be, Aria,” Marcus replies.“You call making me uncomfortable being a good mate?” I retort.“Well, if it were me…” He pauses for a moment, scratching the back of his neck. “If my mate were still here, I’d probably be staring at her like a lovesick stalker twenty-four hours a day if she wasn’t next t
ARIA'S POV “Gentlemen,” Xander says, his voice shifting to a more casual tone as we approach the group. “Meet my mate.”I force a small smile, trying to appear calm despite the uneasiness in my chest.“Meet my brothers, sunshine,” he says to me, his tone softening just a little.“This is Jacob,” he adds, motioning toward the man in the black suit and tie. Jacob simply nods at me, his expression unreadable.“And you’ve already met Caine.”I glance at Caine, but he’s too lost in his own thoughts to even notice that we’re talking about him.“And over there is Russel and his mate, Kristie,” Xander finishes.“Hey, I’m Aria,” I say to Kristie, offering her a polite smile.“It’s nice to meet you, Aria,” Kristie replies warmly, unlinking her arm from Russel’s and stepping forward to give me a hug.For some reason, despite just meeting her, I feel an odd sense of familiarity. It’s as if I’ve known her forever.“Do you want to head to the food stand?” she asks, a playful gleam in her eyes. “Th
ARIA'S POV “If you so much as let another man hold you, I will make sure they don’t spend another second on this earth,” Xander says, his voice low and threatening. He closes the gap between us, his intense gaze pinning me in place. Then, without warning, he captures my lips in a firm, possessive kiss.For a moment, I melt into it, my anger and resistance fading. I hate how much I miss this how much I miss him. As much as I want to stay in this moment forever, I know I can’t.The memories of yesterday flood back like a tidal wave, and I feel a sharp, massive pain shoot through my neck. The betrayal, the hurt it’s all too much.“No!” I manage to say between breaths, breaking away from the kiss.“I am not yours,” I bite out, my voice shaking with emotion.I try to push past him, desperate to get back to the crowd where I can breathe again, but Xander grabs my arm and pulls me back against the wall. His touch is firm but not forceful, though it leaves me no room to escape.He takes a d
ARIA'S POVVictor’s smirk falters for a split second but quickly returns, his usual confident demeanor sliding back into place. “Ah, Alpha Xander,” he says smoothly, his tone dripping with mock politeness. “Always swooping in at the last minute. How charming.”Xander doesn’t reply. Instead, he keeps his firm hold on me, his silver eyes blazing with quiet intensity. The look sends shivers down my spine, making my heart race, even though I’m furious at him for what he did to me yesterday in the woods.Victor’s gaze shifts between us, his lips curling into a faint smile that reeks of amusement. He finally steps back but not before giving me one last lingering look. “Enjoy your evening,” he says, his voice calm yet loaded with meaning.Without a word, Xander pulls me away from where Marcus and I were standing. He doesn’t stop until we’re in a quieter spot, far away from the crowd and behind the tall fence that encloses the area.“What were you thinking?” Xander hisses, leaning closer so o
ARIA'S POV. “Now, you stay close to me at all times unless you plan on staying by your mate’s side,” Marcus said in a low voice, his tone serious. “The people here are dangerous.”I didn’t need him to warn me about that. The tension in the air was enough to tell me everything I needed to know. The powerful auras surrounding us were suffocating, and my instincts were on high alert. There were too many strong wolves gathered in one place.And when has having so many powerful wolves in one gathering ever been a good idea?The chances of this ending peacefully were slim to none. Something always goes wrong in situations like this.“Are you even listening to me?” Marcus whispered sharply in my ear.“Of course I am,” I lied smoothly, giving him a quick glance.The truth? I hadn’t heard a single word he said. My mind was elsewhere, already bracing for the chaos I was sure would erupt before the night was over.“Great,” he muttered, clearly unconvinced. “When we see my dad, let me know immed