Aria’s POV

The night air was colder than usual, thick with the scent of smoke and fear. From the balcony of the Alpha’s chambers, I could see the torches flickering along the eastern field where Damon’s warriors stood, a sea of black armor gleaming under the pale moonlight. My heart pounded so hard it hurt.

He was out there.

Damon.

My mate.

My anchor.

My everything.

And somewhere beyond those trees stood the ghost of the man I thought I’d buried forever ... Zac.

Even saying his ...