holding on to the last threads of control. Aria watched him, her heart still torn between anger and an aching, foolish hope. She could feel the pull of the bond

the storm outside mirroring the turmoil inside

said, her voice low but steady. "You don't get to shatter

his voice thick with exhaustion. "I'm asking you to help me

d yellow hues dancing in the darkened room. Her thoughts were scattered, her mind racing through every painf

his face and never look back. But the thought of the pack-of the wolv

de prickling with every word. "I'll help.

the shelf. Inside, she kept various herbs, salves, and tinctures-remedies for whatever ailed the peop

is gaze soft but full of longing. She could feel i

a long silence. "I never wanted to hur

he last jar of salve into the bag. "

d she could feel the weight o

" she said, slinging the bag over h

wait for hi

lked through the thick trees toward the heart of the Frostfang Pack's territory. Caleb followed

leaves beneath their feet. Aria's thoughts were a

e structure of wood and stone, its windows glo

e steps leading to the front d

le. "You can't come with me, Caleb. T

she silenced him with a single look. "I me

ys been protective of her, even when he had no right to be.

ed. The sound echoed through the packhouse like the toll of a be

and a familiar face a

ri

air tousled and his ey

back," he said, stepping aside t

him, her steps determined, her eyes scanning the

rity, was Ophelia. Her dark eyes glinted with malice as sh

with fake sweetness. "Look who decided to grace

get under her skin. "I'm not here for you, Ophelia. I'm here

e'd entered, Aria let her gaze settle on Caleb. He st

. "Your pack needs you. And you n

ia saw a flicker of something dark in them-fear. Th

he said, his voice carrying through the room. "I've been blind to

ontrol. "And what? You think she's just going to tak

to provoke, and they hit thei

"I'm here because the pack is falling apart

ackling with the weight of unspoken truths. Caleb's gaze never left her,

onger now-stronger because of him, and in spite of him. And she wouldn't le

t Caleb, she turned b

. "This is your chance to decide who you stand with-your alpha,

attle for the pack h