nsciousness slowly returned to her. Her head throbbed. Her e

rom a fire pit nearby, yet there was no warmth in the room only pressure. The a

rists and ankles, leaving red welts. Aria scanned the room. It was simple

cent arrived before the figure did forest, e

eyes devoid of warmth. There was no trace of the

owly, every step tighte

said, his voice rough like

Who are you really? Wha

"You don't know who I am

errard? He's my adoptive father. I

a cold laugh

y would he be honest with the gir

What are you

rard killed my father. Our Alpha. The leader of our pa

cles tensed. Aria's bre

that," she whispered. "But

e was inches from hers. "And that's enough. I swore that anyo

His silver eyes weren't reflecting moonli

voice cold. "You're going to

truck deeper than a blade

u an easy death. First, you'll learn wha

new resisting now would be futile. She h

omething I didn't do," s

is eyes hesitation, maybe even doubt. But it was gone as

ere. I'll decide

onfusion, one truth became clear she was now part of their world. A world of grudges, blood, a

turmoil inside him. He stepped forward, stopping beside

red. "Let her go.

yes like the dead of nigh

"are my Beta and my friend. But that do

an said firmly. "She's jus

then waved to the gu

oom without my permiss

owan clenched his jaw, eyes locked on t

ing his voice, speaking n

e. You know th

ria remained locked inside. And that night, Rowan realized something convincing

e. The once sturdy wooden door now hung by a singl

ut, voice hoarse wi

d deep in his bones. Then he saw it. A slip of paper p

. "If you want your daughter alive, come to my ca

nd trembled as he crushed the

in peace, for Aria's sake. For a quiet life she never even knew she'd been given. But no

he would return. To the world he left behind. To Kael's cab

Her body ached, but it was the uncertainty that truly hurt. What would they do to her?

ee

nched. Kael stepped in, h

rom her wrists. The moment she was free, she bolted towar

ough them both. Kael froze. His

whispered. "

ing at Aria not with

eart raced, her chest burned. Her body locked

id you do to me

eeing a ghost from another life. Or perhaps someth