ARIA’S POV

I sat alone on the cold floor, clutching the only thing that gave me comfort—Kael’s letter. I pressed it close to my chest, breathing in deeply, taking in the remainder of his scent lingering on the letter. For a moment, it felt like he was here, but fear crept in anyway, crawling under my skin.

What if everything goes wrong tomorrow?

I wish I could tell him not to fight for me, to forget about me but I couldn't. I was such a fool to let my father and stepmother drag me into this nightmare and now I was trapped with no escape.

A soft sound came from the window. My heart leapt. I froze, every hair on my skin rising. I reached for the small pocket knife my father once gave me—the only gift he had the heart to give. But before I could pull it free, a familiar scent flooded the air. Pine and frost.

Kael.

My breath hitched as I turned sharply. Even with the chain weighing down my ankle, I pushed myself up, my body trembling with disbelief. When our eyes met, the world blurred. I ran into his arms, and he held me as if he’d never let go. His warmth spread through me, chasing away every cold thought.

“Are you okay?” he whispered, his thumb brushing away my tears.

A sob broke from me. “I’m okay. I thought I’d never see you again.”

“Stop crying, bunny. You’re making my heart ache.” He pulled me close again, and I sank into his chest. But then his gaze dropped to the chain locked around my ankle. His jaw tightened.

“He chained you?” His voice was sharp, trembling with anger.

I shook my head quickly. “Don’t. It doesn’t matter.”

“The hell it doesn’t.” He knelt, tugging at it, but I caught his wrist.

I looked away, my voice breaking. “Even if you break it, I’ll never be free here.”

He sat beside me, his tone firm. “I’ll fight to my death if I must. Burn down this pack if I have to. But that beast will never have you.”

My throat tightened. There was so much I wanted to say—that Liam was my mate but I couldn’t bear the pain it would cause. So I said nothing. We talked until dawn about everything and nothing, about memories that felt like dreams. And when sleep finally took me, it was in his arms.

⸻

I woke to chaos. Heavy footsteps echoed through the hallway. My heart pounded as I blinked and reached for him—but Kael was gone. In his place was a folded note.

“I love you, bunny.”

I pressed it to my lips, fighting the sting in my eyes. For someone still chained, I had never felt so free. His scent still lingered, comforting and cruel all at once.

I barely had time to digest the words before the noise outside grew deafening. I yanked at the chain around my ankle until my skin burned. “No, no, no…” I whispered. I had to stop him. I couldn’t let Liam hurt him.

The growls grew louder, sharper. I pulled harder. Just when I was ready to give up, the metal cracked and gave way.

I stumbled to my feet and rushed outside.

The scene froze my blood.

The clearing was a storm of chaos. Wolves circled, forming a tight ring around two figures at the center. Liam stood bare-chested, calm yet deadly, like the eye of a hurricane. His chest rose and fell slowly, his power radiating in the air.

Then another growl came—from the shadows. My heart dropped. Kael. His men flanked him, ready to die for him.

Liam’s mouth curved. “The puppy returns.”

Kael’s glare could burn. “Bold of you to think you can take my girl.”

Liam chuckled lowly. “Your girl?” His laughter echoed through the clearing.

Kael’s eyes found me, and for a fleeting second, I dared to hope. But that hope shattered the moment Liam’s golden eyes met mine.

“She’s already mine,” Liam said.

Kael’s voice dropped. “Not yet.”

Then he lunged.

The impact was deafening. They crashed together, claws and fists colliding, the sound of violence thick in the air. The circle of wolves stayed frozen, watching death unfold.

Kael fought like chaos itself — reckless, wild, every hit charged with love and pain. But Liam was pure death. Calm. Calculated. Each move had purpose, each strike meant to destroy, not just wound.

Kael began to falter. His knees buckled. Liam slammed him to the ground, claws piercing his chest.

Kael gasped, blood spilling from his lips.

Liam lifted his hand, claws glinting under the moonlight. “Say goodbye.”

“NO!”

I ran forward without thinking, my scream breaking through the crowd. I threw myself between them.

Liam froze, claws inches from Kael’s throat.

“Don’t,” I cried, my knees hitting the dirt. “Please, don’t kill him.”

Liam tilted his head. “Why not? He came here for what’s mine.”

“I’ll go with you,” I begged. “Just let him live. Please. We’re over. I’m yours.”

“Aria, don’t…” Kael choked, blood staining his mouth.

Tears blurred my vision. “I’m sorry,” I whispered.

“You can’t…”

“He’s my mate,” I said quietly. “I have to go with him.”

Kael froze. His eyes went blank. The pain there was worse than any wound Liam could give. I looked away, unable to face it.

“Please,” I said to Liam, bowing my head. “Spare him. I’ll be yours willingly.”

The silence stretched until a dark laugh broke it, his eyes gleaming with triumph. “You beg beautifully, little wolf,” he murmured, crouching in front of me. “Say it again.”

My heart pounded, my throat tight with humiliation. But I forced the words out.

He brushed a strand of hair from my face, his touch almost tender. “Good girl,” he whispered. “Now bare your neck.” My eyes widened in shock.

“Don’t, Aria…” Kael’s voice cracked like broken glass. I could feel eyes on me—my father’s cold stare, my stepmother’s twisted excitement.

My mind screamed to stop. But when I looked at Kael, bleeding and broken, I knew I would do anything. My hands trembled as I pulled my collar aside, baring my throat.

Liam’s smile deepened. He stepped close, his breath hot against my skin. “So,” he whispered, fingers circling my throat just enough to remind me of his power. “You’d give up everything… for him?”

Tears filled my eyes, but I lifted my chin. “You wouldn’t understand. You’ve never been in love.”

His eyes darkened. “Is that so?” His voice dropped lower, colder. “Then maybe I’ll just kill him anyway.”

He turned, claws lifting again.

Gasps rippled through the crowd.

Something inside me snapped. I grabbed him, pulled his face down to mine, and kissed him.

The world went silent.

Liam went still, surprise flashing through his eyes. Then his mouth crashed against mine — rough, hungry, and claiming. My chest heaved as he finally pulled away, and I looked away, too ashamed to look at Kael.

Liam leaned close, whispering against my ear, “You’re a terrible kisser. But that can be fixed.”

He straightened and held out his hand.

And I took it.

Kael’s cry tore through the silence behind me. “No…”

Each step I took with Liam burned like fire through my veins.

But I kept walking.

Because sometimes, love isn’t about living — it’s about dying for someone else.

And that night, I died for Kael.