Aria’s POV

The walk back to the pack house was like a nightmare. Or a dream I couldn’t wake up from.

I was still in his arms—broad, unyielding, warm in a way that made me burn even more. The Alpha King carried me as though I weighed nothing, as though the forest and its dangers didn’t exist, only me.

Every eye followed us. Wolves parted to let him pass. Their gazes lingered on me, a mix of envy, disgust, curiosity, and fear. I wanted to disappear, to melt into his chest so no ...