ARIA'S POV

The word ‘mate’ echoed through the dark hall like thunder.

I stared at him, the world spinning.

He stood frozen, silver eyes wide, breath unsteady, as if the very idea was poison.

“No,” Adrian said finally, voice raw. “You can’t be.”

My chest ached. “Then what just happened?”

He didn’t answer. His jaw locked, muscles tight. I could feel his power rising, his wolf pressing against the surface, desperate and restless.

“Tell me,” I demanded.

Adrian turned away sharply. “You should rest.”

“Don’t walk away from me!”

My voice cracked, echoing off the stone walls. He froze for a heartbeat, then vanished into the shadows, leaving me trembling and furious.

Sleep never came. I lay awake looking at the ceiling, the baby’s heartbeat steady beneath my palm. My wolf whispered in my mind, He’s ours.

But how could that be?

Rowan had been chosen by the Moon Goddess. Our bond had been real, hadn’t it?

When dawn finally came, I left my room. The corridors were cold, lit by torches that flickered like restless souls. Warriors bowed slightly as I passed, though confusion lingered in their eyes. They didn’t know what to make of me, the wounded stranger their Alpha refused to talk about.

In the training yard, I found the healer, old Maura, mixing herbs in a clay bowl.

“You shouldn’t wander,” she said without looking up. “The Alpha doesn’t like it.”

“Does he ever like anything?” I muttered.

Her lips twitched. “You’re brave to talk that way here.”

I hesitated. “Tell me something, Maura. The stories about him… are they true?”

She stirred the mixture slowly. “That his mark kills any Luna who bears it?”

I nodded.

Her gaze lifted, sharp and sad. “Yes. The curse was born from blood and betrayal. Every woman the Alpha tried to claim has died before dawn.”

My stomach knotted. “So that’s why he denies it.”

Maura nodded. “He’s not cruel, child. He’s cursed. And he carries that guilt every day.”

By evening, I was pacing my room when a knock came at the door.

“Enter.”

Adrian stepped in. Gone was the ruthless Alpha; he looked almost human, tired, rainwater dripping from his hair.

“We need to talk,” he said quietly.

I crossed my arms. “About your curse or your denial?”

His mouth twitched into a half-smile. “Both, apparently.”

He moved closer, the scent of rain and smoke clinging to him. “What happened last night… You can’t tell anyone. Not yet.”

“Because you’re ashamed?”

“Because if my pack finds out the Goddess cursed me again, they’ll think you’re doomed too.”

Something inside me twisted. “Maybe I already am.”

His gaze softened. “Don’t say that.”

Silence stretched between us, heavy and fragile. Then he asked, almost gently, “Why were you in the forest that night?”

I hesitated, pain flooding back. “Because my mate rejected me in front of our pack. Because he marked someone else while I carried his child.”

His eyes darkened. “He’s still alive?”

“Yes.”

Adrian’s aura flared, his wolf pushing through. “Then he’ll pay.”

I stepped back. “You don’t even know him.”

“I don’t have to.” His voice dropped lower. “Any Alpha who abandons his Luna deserves to bleed.”

I should’ve been afraid, but instead, my heart stuttered. For the first time since that night, I felt… protected.

“Why do you care?” I whispered.

Adrian’s gaze locked on mine. “Because no one protected my mate when the curse took her.”

The confession hit me like a shock. His pain was carved deep, ancient. I wanted to say something, but words failed.

He turned toward the door, his voice rough. “Stay inside tonight. There are whispers of rogues near the border.”

But before I could answer, he stopped, as his eyes flashing silver again.

“Aria…” His tone was different now, strained. “Do you feel that?”

The air grew colder. A strange hum rippled through the room, crawling up my spine. My heartbeat quickened; my wolf howled softly inside me.

“What’s happening?” I whispered.

Adrian’s fists clenched. “The bond. It’s awakening.”

A searing heat shot through my chest, spreading like wildfire through my veins. I gasped, clutching my heart as my vision blurred.

Adrian rushed forward, grabbing my shoulders. “Breathe!”

His touch burned, but not from pain. From power.

The room trembled. The moon outside flashed bright white, spilling light through the windows. Symbols, ancient and glowing, appeared on the walls, pulsing like living veins.

“Aria,” Adrian said through gritted teeth, his voice shaking. “Your wolf… it’s breaking my curse.”

“What?”

He tightened his grip. “Stop! You’ll die if you push further…”

“I can’t…”

A blinding surge of light burst between us, knocking us both backward. I hit the ground hard, gasping for breath. When my vision cleared, Adrian was on one knee, his eyes wide.

The markings on his arms, dark veins that had glowed like chains since I met him, were fading.

He looked at me as if he’d seen a miracle. “It’s weakening.”

But before I could speak, a warrior burst through the door, panting.

“Alpha!” he shouted. “Scouts at the northern border, Silverfang warriors are here. Their Alpha demands entry.”

My blood turned to ice.

Adrian rose slowly, his voice a deadly calm. “Rowan.”

I grabbed his arm. “Please… don’t kill him.”

He turned to me, silver eyes cold and burning. “That depends on what he came for.”

His gaze lingered a moment longer, and I felt the bond pulse between us, alive, defiant, dangerous.

Then he walked out, his voice echoing down the corridor like the promise of war.

“Prepare the warriors.”