Chapter 39

[ 813 words ]

Theo

Kade shifts closer to Aria in a protective move.

I want to do the same, but at the same time, I trust the Kiara won’t hurt our mate.

She is pack now, her soon-to-be luna.

She continues her intelligent gaze, sweeping the room.

“What if they believe Liam knows something about Aria, and they took him because of that?”

Ronan studies her.

“Go on.”

Her fingers curl slightly against the table’s edge.

“If this were about breaking the truce, they would’ve attacked outright. Sent a message we couldn’t ignore. But this…” She shakes her head.

“This is targeted. Like the last few visits from the Assembly. ”

I feel it then—my wolf going still.

Listening.

Watching her.

She’s one of our best strategists; she has a point.

Yes, she does.

And that scares me more than anything.

Dex frowns.

“So what, we’re walking into something bigger?”

“Probably,” Sebastian mutters.

“Kiara does have a point.

Your mate has certainly had a knack for drawing their interest.

I wouldn’t put it past them to employ others as a means to an end.”

“They have a point,” Barric corrects.

Ronan straightens.

“Which is why we don’t deviate from the plan. We get in, secure Liam, and get out. No heroics.”

His gaze flicks briefly—intentionally—to Aria.

The air shifts.

She notices.

Of course she does.

My little mate is ever the observant one.

Her chin lifts slightly.

“What aren’t you saying?”

Ronan doesn’t hesitate.

“You’re not coming.”

The words land like a gunshot.

My wolf immediately perks up.

Good.

Aria stiffens.

“Excuse me?”

“You’re staying here,” Ronan repeats, voice firm.

“No.”

It’s instant.

Sharp.

Certain.

Dex shifts awkwardly, glancing between them.

Ronan doesn’t even blink.

“Dex.”

Dex straightens.

“Yeah?”

“You’re staying behind.

Keep watch over Aria.

No one gets in or out of my house without clearance.”

“No,” she says again, shaking her head.

“No, that’s not happening. I’m not sitting here while you all walk into—into whatever this is. Liam is my brother, you can’t just ask me to stay behind.”

My wolf surges forward, heat flooding my chest.

She must stay where he is safe.

She’s going to chew my ass, I realize before I even say a word, but I know I will anyway.

I step toward her, using my proximity to force her to look at me.

She turns, and those eyes—fierce, frustrated, alive—lock onto mine.

“Don’t,” she warns.

Too late.

“You’re staying,” I say.

Her expression hardens.

“You don’t get to decide that.”

My jaw tightens.

“Yeah, actually, I do.”

The room goes very, very quiet.

Careful, my wolf murmurs, though there’s approval threaded through it.

She’s ours.

We have to be gentle.

I ignore that last part.

Mostly.

Aria takes a step closer to me, anger radiating off her in waves.

“He’s my brother.

I have a right to—”

“To what?” I cut in, my voice rising.

“Walk into Nightbane territory? Into a potential ambush? To get yourself captured or worse, killed because you were to stuborn to see reason.”

Her hands ball into fists.

“I can handle myself.”

“Against humans, I’m sure you can. But these are wolves, Aria. You’re smart. Think about it. You’re still working on getting a handle on your senses. That’s something even every juvenile in this pack can do. Do you really think you’ll stand a chance against trained enforcers?” I snap.

She quiet.

Pissed but listening.

My wolf growls.

*Say it.*

I hesitate.

Because if I say it, there’s no taking it back.

But the image of her hurt—captured—broken—

It claws its way up my throat.

“They will hurt you,” I say, my voice low, deadly serious.

“If they get the chance, they won’t hesitate. And I— We” I stop myself, jaw clenching.

“We won’t be able to concentrate when there’s this big a threat to your life.

You’ll do more damage than good being there with us.”

“Theo’s right,” Kade says, unapologetically.

Her breath catches, just slightly.

But she doesn’t back down.

“I’m not fragile,” she says, quieter now, but no less fierce.

“I know,” I repeat, softer this time.

“But this isn’t a game, Aria. This is a dispute between wolf packs. Nightbane doesn’t play fair. They don’t hold back.”

I take another step closer, lowering my voice so it’s just for her.

“We will get Liam back. I promise. Just let us keep you safe while we do.”

The truth hangs between us.

Heavy.

Unavoidable.

I see it hit her.

See the moment she understands.

And hates it.

My wolf whines softly.

She hates being left behind.

Her shoulders sag just a fraction, but her eyes stay locked on mine.

“I can help.”

“And you will,” I say.

“By staying here.

Safe.”

“I hate this,” she whispers.

“I know.”

A hand settles on Aria’s back.

Kade.

He steps up beside her, his voice calm, grounding.

“I know it’s unfair to ask, but I want you to trust us.”

She glances at him, pain flickering across her face.

“Fine.”

It’s not agreement.

But it’s acceptance.

For now.

Ronan clears his throat, pulling the room back to order.

“We leave in twenty minutes. Gear up.”

Chairs scrape.

Movement returns.

The mission is back on track.

But I don’t move.

I’m still watching her.

She turns away from me, arms wrapped around herself again.

I meet Barric’s eyes and can see the look of concern there.

My wolf growls low.

She’s upset with us.

The thought doesn’t sit well with me, which makes me angry at myself for caring.

Her safety should mean more than her feelings, shouldn’t it?

I push the thought from my mind and focus on Liam, on bringing him home.

Because failure?

It isn’t an option.

Not with her waiting.

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