Chapter 150

Chapter 150

Chapter 150

ARIA

Finished

The manipulation was breathtaking. She was twisting everything-using the trauma of my near execution as a weapon against Kael, suggesting that his caution about false accusations should protect her even though the evidence clearly pointed to her involvement.

“The letters explicitly mentioned reporting to you,” Nina interjected. “Multiple times. With specific details about your plans and expectations p>

“And yet I never received them,” Sera said calmly. “Which means either your spy was lying about who he was working for, or the letters were fabricated by whoever caught him. Either way, there’s no actual proof connecting me to any plot against Luna Aria p>

She turned back to Kael, and her expression softened into something that looked almost genuine. “I understand you’re protective of your mate. It’s admirable, really. But Alpha Kael, surely you can see how dangerous it is to make accusations without solid evidence? How much damage can be done when people rush to judgment based on circumstantial details p>

The way she was framing it-as if she was the reasonable one, as if we were the ones being reckless-was infuriating. But I could see Kael struggling with her logic. Because she was right about one thing: we had learned, painfully, what happened when accusations were made without absolute proof.

“The investigation is ongoing,” Kael said finally. “We’re gathering more evidence. But the preliminary findings strongly suggest Blackwood Pack’s involvement in the attacks on Healer Ivory and the attempt to frame Luna Aria p>

“Preliminary findings,” Sera repeated. “Not conclusions. Not definitive proof. Just suspicions and circumstantial connections.” She sighed dramatically. “Well, I suppose we can discuss all this tomorrow during our official meeting. For now, please-rest. Recover from your journey. Dinner will be served in a few hours if you’d like to join us, or we can have food sent to your quarters if you prefer privacy p>

“We’ll dine in our quarters,” Kael said immediately. “Thank you p>

“Of course,” Sera said. “Whatever makes you comfortable.” She turned to leave, then paused at the door. “Oh, and Alpha Kael? I really do appreciate you coming all this way for this meeting. I promise you won’t regret it. I have information that will be very illuminating. Information about the investigation you mentioned. About who visited Damon at the neutral dungeons p>

My heart stopped. There it was. The confirmation of what I’d feared. She knew. She definitely knew.

“We look forward to hearing what you have to share,” Kael said carefully.

“I’m sure you do,” Sera replied, and that knowing smirk was back full force as her eyes found mine. “I’m very sure you do. Until tomorrow, then p>

She left, closing the door behind her with a soft click that sounded somehow ominous.

The moment she was gone, Kael’s diplomatic mask dropped. He ran a hand through his hair, frustration evident in every line of his body.

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“She’s playing games,” he said. “Everything about this visit feels like a trap p>

“It probably is,” Nina agreed. She’d followed us into the suite and was already checking the rooms methodically. “I’m going to do a sweep. Make sure there aren’t any listening devices or other surveillance”

While Nina worked, Kael moved to stand by the window, looking out at Blackwood territory with obvious tension. I stood frozen, trying to figure out how to navigate what was coming. Trying to decide if I should confess now, before tomorrow’s meeting, or wait and see what Sera actually revealed.

“Aria,” Kael said without turning around. “Are you alright? Being back here, seeing Sera-I know this can’t be easy for you p>

“I’m fine,” I said automatically, though my voice sounded hollow even to my own cars.

He turned then, really looking at me. “No, you’re not. You’ve been pale and shaking since we arrived. And the way Sera was talking to you-those comments about the execution, the implications-” He moved closer, reaching for my hands. “Whatever she’s planning, whatever she thinks she knows, we’ll handle it together. I won’t let her hurt you p>

The kindness in his voice, the genuine concern in his eyes, the way he was trying so hard to protect me-it all made me want to break down and confess everything right then. Tell him about the visit before Sera could. Give him the truth from me rather than from someone who would deliberately present it in the worst possible light.

But fear paralyzed me. Fear of his reaction. Fear of confirming that I was exactly as stupid and untrustworthy as everyone had suspected. Fear of losing him right when we’d finally started to build something real.

“I know,” I managed to say. “Thank you. For being here. For supporting me through this p>

He pulled me into a hug, his arms wrapping around me securely. “Always,” he promised. “Whatever happens, whatever Sera reveals tomorrow, we’ll face it together p>

I leaned into his embrace, trying to memorize the feeling. Because I had a terrible suspicion that after tomorrow, he might not want to hold me like this anymore.

Nina finished her sweep and reported finding no obvious surveillance devices, though she cautioned that didn’t mean we were completely secure. “Assume anything said in these quarters could potentially be overheard,” she advised. “Be careful about what you discuss p>

Dinner arrived shortly after-brought by silent Blackwood staff who set out the meal and departed without making eye contact. The food looked delicious and smelled even better, but I couldn’t bring myself to eat more than a few bites. My stomach was too knotted with anxiety.

Kael noticed, of course. “You need to eat,” he said gently. “Keep your strength up. Tomorrow is going to be difficult p>

“I know,” I said, forcing myself to take another bite. “I’m trying p>

He didn’t push, just kept his own meal light and watched me with that concerned expression I was becoming all too familiar with.

After dinner, Nina left to check on the security detail and ensure they were properly positioned around our

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Chapter 150

Finished

quarters. Kael and I were left alone in the suite, the weight of tomorrow’s meeting hanging between us like a physical presence.

“We should try to sleep,” Kael said eventually. “Get as much rest as possible before whatever Sera has planned p>

We prepared for bed in near silence. I changed in the bathroom, taking longer than necessary, trying to compose myself. When I finally emerged, Kael was already in bed, propped up against the headboard. clearly waiting for me.

I slid in beside him, and he immediately pulled me close. His body was warm and solid against mine, his heartbeat steady and reassuring under my ear.

“Try to sleep,” he murmured into my hair. “I’m here. You’re safe. Whatever tomorrow brings, we’ll handle it p>

I wanted to believe him. Wanted to take comfort in his certainty But I knew better. Knew that tomorrow would bring revelations that would shatter whatever trust we’d managed to build.

I lay awake long after Kael’s breathing had evened out into sleep. Staring at the ceiling of this guest room in Blackwood Pack, my former prison, waiting for dawn to bring the reckoning I’d been dreading for weeks.

Sera knew about my visit to Damon. She was going to reveal it tomorrow, probably in the most damaging way possible. And there was nothing I could do to stop it.

The executioner’s blade was finally falling.

And I was about to lose everything.

Again.

C

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