Chapter 133

Chapter 133

ARIA

I woke late the next morning, groggy nd disoriented. Sunlight was alrearly streaming through at an angle that suggested it was well past dawn-probably closer to mid-morning I cou last time I’d slept this late, but then again, I couldn’t remember the last time I’d spent ins tossing and turning, unable to silence the poisonous words circling in my head.

“You’ll always be second place p>

*His wolf has already claimed her p>

*The pack tolerates you but doesn’t want you p>

I pressed my palms against my eyes, trying to physically push the thoughts away. It didn’t work. Damon voice had taken up residence in my mind, a constant whisper undermining every fragile piece of confidence I’d managed to build.

A soft knock on the door made me sit up. “Come in,” I called, my voice rough from sleep and unshed tears

Celine entered, carrying a breakfast tray. Her expression was carefully neutral as she set it on the table near the window.

“Good morning, Luna Aria. I let you sleep as long as possible, but I thought you’d want something to eat when you woke p>

“Thank you, Celine.” I managed, pushing myself out of bed. My body felt heavy, weighted down by more than just physical exhaustion. “What time is it p>

“Nearly eleven,” she said, beginning her usual morning routine of tidying the room. “You needed the rest. I think. You’ve been through so much lately p>

Eleven. I’d slept for over twelve hours and still felt exhausted. That probably said something about my mental state that I didn’t want to examine too closely.

Has Alpha Kael already left for the day?” I asked, trying to sound casual rather than pathetically hopefta

Celor paused in her work, her expression becoming sympathetic. “Alpha Kael Ias been swamped with work Luna. He’s been meeting with Security Chief Nina and the elders constantly, I heard he pulled

other all-nighter last night, actually. They’re still dealing with the fallout from the spy’s cappare arch interrogating him for more information about Blackwood’s plans p>

Araber diniglwer. So Kari hadn’t come to bed again. That made three nights in & DOW

1 kauwht was they knew he had responsibilities beyond our relationship Kiew that align a pack repaired endless meetings and decisions and crisis management. But Damon’s wont kept exhu duse her over you. He will always chouse her

“Tace i said, missing to the husband tray was chappee Thank you Be it the Bre

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Chapter 133

“Luna Aria,” Celine said hesitantly, “Alpha Kael has been trying to see you I don’t want your to thit avoiding you or neglecting you. He’s been leaving notes and flowers when he does come while you’re sleeping”

the

I looked around and noticed for the first time what I’d been too distracted to see when I first wole of freshly picked wildflowers on the dresser. A folded piece of paper propped against it with my nat written in Kael’s distinctive handwriting.

“He’s trying,” Celine said softly. “In whatever way he can manage right now. I just wanne

I nodded, not trusting my voice. Because yes, Kael was trying. The flowers proved to Ther The fact that he was coming to the chambers when he could, even if I was asleep, proved it

But it wasn’t enough to drown out Damon’s poison, Wasn’t enough to erase the memory of Ka Lagreeing my execution. Wasn’t enough to make me forget that when forced to choose between trusting me and trusting Ivory, he’d chosen her without hesitation.

I picked at my breakfast while Celine continued her work. The food tasted like ash, but I forced myself to eat anyway, I needed strength. Needed to function. Needed to stop wallowing in doubt and hurt and do. something. Though what that something was, I had no idea.

“Celine,” I said after a few minutes of silence, “when was the last time Alpha Kacl actually slept? In a bed, 1 mean. Not at his desk or in a chair somewhere p>

She considered for a moment. “I’m not entirely sure, Luna. But I know he was here yesterday afternoon. He came looking for you, actually. Wanted to ask if you’d join him for a garden date. Something quiet and private where you two could talk without interruption p>

My heart clenched. Kael had come looking for me. Had wanted to spend time with me. Had tried to create an opportunity for us to reconnect.

And I’d been at the neutral dungeons, letting Damon poison my mind against my own mate.

“What did you tell him?” I asked quietly.

“I told him you’d left the pack grounds and would be home late,” Celine said. “I didn’t know where you’d gone specifically-you didn’t inform me-so I couldn’t give him more details. He looked disappointed but said he understood you probably needed space after everything that had happened p>

Of course he’d understood. Of course he’d given me the space he thought I needed. While I’d been off letting my ex-mate tear down everything Kael and I were trying to build.

And this morning?” I pressed. “You said he came again p>

Early Celine confirmed. “Around dawn. He wanted to check on you, see if you were feeling alright. But ONE were still asleep and looked so peaceful that I didn’t want to wake you. I told him you were resing and he should let you sleep. He left the flowers and another note”

I looked at the note, still unopened. Part of me wanted to read it immediately. Part of me was afraid of what at might say what it might not say

“Where is he now I aced, making a decision. “Do you know where I could tund him

Probably his office. Celine said “That’s where he’s been spending most of his time buch when he’s not h

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Chapter 133

meetings. Though… She hesitated.

“What p>

I overheard some pack members saying he was planning to take a break this morning. Something a needing to clear his head before the afternoon council session. He might have gone to one of the que areas of the territory. The training grounds, maybe, or the gardens”

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