Chapter 52
[ 674 words ]
The attacks
52: 52.
The attacks Ronan
I scan the crowd.
“I don’t know what’s coming,” I admit.
“But I know this—we’re going to need wolves who are ready to weather a storm.”
The words settle deep.
“This week,” I say, “you decide. Stay—and stand with us. Or go—and keep your families safe.”
A beat.
“Give me your answers by the end of the week.”
No one speaks.
They don’t need to.
The weight of it is already sinking in.
I turn and walk away.
Because if I stay any longer, they’ll see the cracks.
And I can’t afford that.
***
I’m halfway to my office when I hear footsteps behind me.
Light.
Careful.
I don’t have to turn to know who it is.
My wolf perks up instantly.
Mate.
“Yeah,” I mutter.
I push the door open and step inside.
A second later, she follows.
Aria.
I turn, leaning back against my desk, arms crossing as I study her.
She’s not shrinking.
Not avoiding me.
But there’s something there now—something cautious.
Measured.
Like she’s trying to figure me out from a distance.
I don’t like it.
My wolf definitely doesn’t like it.
She should be closer.
“She just had her entire world flipped,” I remind him.
Still.
Still.
But then—
She came to me.
And that… that settles something in my chest.
“What is it?” I ask.
She hesitates, then steps further into the room.
“I heard what you said.”
Of course she did.
I nod once.
“Yeah.”
Her hands twist together briefly before she stills them.
“I don’t want anyone to be uncomfortable because of me.”
My spine straightens.
I already don’t like where this is going.
“Aria—”
“Maybe,” she cuts in, her voice quieter now, “it would be better if I just left.”
Everything in me goes still.
Then—
My wolf explodes.
No.
The word rips through me like a snarl.
My own anger follows right behind it.
“No,” I say sharply.
Her eyes widen slightly.
“Ronan—”
“No,” I repeat, pushing off the desk and closing the distance between us in two strides.
“That’s not happening.”
Her chin lifts, stubborn.
“You just told your entire pack they could leave because of me.”
“I gave them a choice,” I snap.
“That’s not the same thing.”
“And I’m making one too.”
“No,” I growl.
My wolf surges forward.
She doesn’t get that choice.
“She does,” I argue internally.
Not this one.
“She’s not leaving,” I say aloud, voice low and dangerous.
Her brows draw together.
“You don’t get to decide that for me.”
The challenge in her tone hits something primal.
Possessive.
Unyielding.
“You’re wrong,” I say.
I step closer.
Too close.
“There is no version of this where I let you walk out of this pack.”
Her breath catches.
“And why is that?” she demands.
Because you’re mine.
The answer is instinctive.
Immediate.
Absolute.
“You’re mine,” I say, the words rough and unfiltered as they leave me.
Silence slams into the room.
My wolf hums in satisfaction.
There it is.
Aria stares at me.
“Ronan…”
“I will protect you,” I continue, not backing down, not softening it.
“You belong here.”
“With you?” she asks quietly.
“Yes.”
The word doesn’t hesitate.
Doesn’t waver.
It just is.
She shakes her head slightly, emotion flashing across her face.
“I don’t want anyone else getting hurt because of me.”
“Tough shit,” I bite out.
Her eyes widen.
“That’s what a pack does, Aria,” I say, my voice hard but not unkind.
“We protect our own.”
My wolf growls in agreement.
Ours.
“And you’re one of ours,” I add.
Her breath quickens.
“This isn’t different,” I continue.
“This is exactly what we were built for.”
I reach out, my hand closing around her arm, pulling her closer before she can step back.
The contact sends a jolt through both of us.
Tension.
Heat.
Something deeper.
Her gaze lifts to mine, and for a second—
Everything else disappears.
The pack.
The attacks.
The uncertainty.
It’s just her.
My wolf leans forward, hungry.
Kiss her.
I should step back.
Give her space.
Let her process.
I don’t.
I tighten my grip slightly, my other hand brushing her waist as I lean in.
Her breath catches again.
Our faces inches apart.
“This is where you belong,” I murmur.
Her lips part.
And I’m right there—
Right about to close the distance—
A sharp knock hits the door.
I freeze.
My wolf snarls.
Ignore it.
“I can’t,” I mutter.
“Come in,” I call, my voice rough.
The door opens immediately.
Marcus steps inside, his expression grim.
“We’ve got trouble.”
Of course we do.
I release Aria slowly, though every instinct screams not to.
“What now?” I ask.
Marcus meets my gaze.
“Scouts just reported movement on the eastern border.”
My chest tightens.
“How many?”
“Not sure yet,” he says.
“But it’s not small.”
My wolf bares his teeth.
Finally.
I glance at Aria, then back at Marcus.
“Get everyone ready,” I say.
Because whatever’s coming?
It’s not waiting for us to figure it out.
If you find any errors (non-standard content, ads redirect, broken links, etc..), Please let us know so we can fix it as soon as possible.