t on the plush chair, her mind racing with a thousand questions, each more confusing than the las

Aria," he had said. "You've be

éjà vu that seemed to follow her whenever she thought about it. There was something about him-something mys

e firelight. He was distant, lost in thought, as if contemplating something important. Aria didn't d

" Dorian said suddenly, as

She hadn't realized she was staring at him, her c

ers. "I know you're filled with questions, Aria. I can see i

ad enough of 'in time,' Dorian!" she said, her voice sharper than she intended. "I need a

t want anything from you, Aria. But you're not just any ordinary wolf. I can feel it, an

like a blade. "What do you mean 'different'? I don't understan

weight of the truth he was about to reveal was too much to bear. "You're bound to an ancient forc

t are you talking about? I've never felt anything like

r family. The blood that runs through your veins is not like any other. It's the blood of the ancient wolves, the ones who were chosen to guard

words. "Ancient wolves? Guardians? This sounds insan

y. "Exactly. You've been chosen, Aria. The moment you w

owers. I can barely control my wolf form, let alo

and it made her feel like she wasn't alone in this chaotic moment. "You don't have to do it al

embling with a mixture of fear and dis

been unfolding for centuries. And now, your role is more important than you realize. There's a darkness coming

don't know if I'm ready for this. I do

None of us are. But sometimes, we don't get a choice. The

is words. "What happens if I don't accept thi

ne. "Then the darkness will win, Aria. And you'll lose every

en, and she sank back down into the chair, her head spinning with everything h

ng like pride. "It's already inside you, Aria. You just have t

e she had known, was gone. But perhaps, in this new reality, there was still a

gh still filled with uncertainty. "I'll try. But

and genuine. "You're never

park of hope inside her. She wasn't sure what lay ahead, but