Chapter 43

[ 1,029 words ]

Aria

The front door bursts open so hard it slams against the wall, and every muscle in my body locks tight.

Then I see him.

“Liam—”

Theo and Kiara are half-carrying, half-dragging my brother inside, his arm slung over Theo’s shoulders.

Blood streaks his shirt, dark and drying, and for a split second, the world narrows into a suffocating tunnel.

They got him back.

The weight that’s been crushing my chest since he left lifts just enough for me to breathe again.

I’m moving before I realize it, my feet carrying me across the room.

“Liam,” I say again, softer this time, like if I say it too loud he might disappear.

They ease him down onto the couch, and I drop to my knees beside him, my hands hovering uselessly.

I don’t know where to touch without hurting him.

“I’m okay,” he mutters, but his voice is rough.

“You don’t look okay.”

My wolf stirs, restless beneath my skin.

He smells like blood, she growls, pacing.

Not all of it his.

But enough.

Kiara kneels on his other side, calm and focused.

“Hold still,” she murmurs, placing her hands over his ribs.

A soft golden light blooms beneath her palms.

I suck in a breath.

“What—”

“Healer,” Dex says quietly from behind me.

The word settles into place as I watch the glow intensify, warmth radiating outward.

Liam tenses, a small gasp escaping him, and I instinctively reach for him—but stop when Kiara shakes her head.

“Let her work,” Dex adds.

I nod, forcing myself back, though every instinct screams at me to stay close.

Movement at my side draws my attention, and suddenly, Ronan is there.

Close.

Too close.

His hand slides around my waist, firm and unyielding, pulling me back against his chest in a way that feels less like comfort and more like a claim.

My breath catches.

Mine, my wolf purrs, completely unhelpful.

Heat floods my face.

I should pull away.

I barely know him—any of them—but instead I freeze, caught between instinct and logic.

Dex lifts his hands slightly, stepping back.

“Easy,” he mutters, like he’s trying to avoid provoking something.

Before I can even process that, Kade moves into the space Dex vacated.

And just like that, the tension shifts.

Instead of feeling boxed in, I feel… safe.

Protected.

What the hell is wrong with me?

I glance between them—Ronan at my back, Kade at my side—and my stomach twists.

I don’t know these men beyond surface-level introductions and fragments of conversation.

And yet my body reacts like they’re—

Ours, my wolf finishes, satisfied.

I swallow hard.

Damn these instincts.

Kiara’s light slowly fades, the golden glow dimming until it disappears completely.

She exhales, sitting back on her heels.

“That should do it,” she says.

Liam rolls his shoulders, testing himself, and then sits up straighter like he wasn’t bleeding out five minutes ago.

I don’t wait.

I move to his side again, ignoring the way Ronan’s grip tightens briefly before he lets me go.

“Are you okay?” I ask, searching his face.

“I’m fine,” Liam says, brushing it off like it was nothing.

I frown.

“You were not fine.”

“I am now.” His gaze sharpens.

“I’m more worried about who sent him after us.”

The room stills.

Ronan steps forward, all easy dominance and quiet authority.

“Clarify.”

Even I feel the command in his voice.

Liam leans forward, resting his forearms on his knees.

“Everett.”

A ripple goes through the room at the name.

My wolf snarls low.

Enemy.

“He was looking for someone,” Liam continues.

“A female. Said they took her.”

My stomach tightens.

“Who was the girl?” Sebastian asks, his tone measured but intent.

Liam shakes his head.

“I don’t know. He didn’t say. But whoever she is… she’s important to Everett.”

Silence follows that, heavy and thick with implication.

Ronan’s expression darkens.

“Marcus.”

Marcus straightens immediately.

“Already on it.”

“Dig into Nightbane,” Ronan orders.

“Every member. They’ve grown since the split—we don’t know who’s new.”

Marcus nods once and moves off, already pulling out his phone.

I barely register it.

Because I’m staring at Liam.

Really staring at him.

And for the first time… I see it.

The wildness in his eyes.

The strength in the way he holds himself.

Something deeper than the brother I grew up with—the one who used to tease me and steal my snacks and pretend he wasn’t soft when it came to me.

This version of him is sharper.

Harder.

My wolf shifts uneasily.

Predator, she whispers.

The realization sends a chill down my spine.

“Are you sure you’re okay?” I ask again, quieter this time.

He looks at me, something softening just a fraction.

“I’ll be alright, Aria.”

I nod slowly.

“Okay.”

But the word feels fragile.

Before I can say anything else, my phone starts ringing.

The sound slices through the tension, and I flinch slightly before pulling it out of my pocket.

Hazel.

Of course.

“I—uh—” I glance around, suddenly very aware of how many ears are in this room.

“I’ll be right back.”

Too many wolves, mine mutters.

No privacy.

I step away, heading toward the hallway, putting a bit of distance between me and the others before answering.

“Hey,” I say, trying to sound normal.

“Finally,” Hazel replies immediately.

“Do you know how long I’ve been waiting for you to pick up?”

A small smile tugs at my lips despite everything.

“I was busy.”

“Clearly.

Anyway, I finished packing.

Sent the last of my stuff this morning.”

“That was fast.”

“I’m efficient,” she says smugly, then pauses.

“Are you okay?”

There it is.

Straight to the point.

I lean against the wall, staring at nothing.

“I’m fine.”

Silence.

Hazel doesn’t buy it.

She never does.

“Aria,” she says, softer now.

“You hate that place. You hate them. I’m not going to pretend that’s not a thing.”

My chest tightens.

She’s too smart to lie to.

Always has been.

“I know,” I sigh.

“It’s just… things are different now.”

“How?”

I hesitate, choosing my words carefully.

“My mom left me more than I expected.

Money.

A business.”

“Well, that’s… something.”

“And I’m reconnecting with Liam,” I add.

Another pause.

“Are you sure?” she asks quietly.

Am I?

I close my eyes briefly.

“Yeah. I’m sure.”

It’s not the full truth—but it’s not a lie either.

Hazel exhales.

“Okay.

I just… I worry about you.”

“I know.”

“I love you.”

The words hit deeper than I expect.

“I love you too,” I say softly.

We hang up a moment later, and I lower my phone, staring at the screen for a second before letting my arm fall to my side.

The house feels different out here.

Quieter.

But not empty.

My wolf lifts her head.

Not alone.

I inhale slowly.

And there it is.

Barric.

His scent wraps around me—earthy, warm, grounding.

I don’t turn around immediately.

I don’t need to.

“Care for a walk?” he asks from behind me, his voice low and steady.

My pulse quickens.

Say yes, my wolf urges.

I glance back over my shoulder, meeting his gaze.

Something in his expression is calm… but searching.

Waiting.

I hesitate for half a heartbeat.

Then nod.

“Yeah,” I say.

“I think I need one.”

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.