Chapter 24
We lay in silence for a moment Aria told me about Aurora’s day–how she’d insisted on three stories before sleep, how she’d made Aria promise to sing at her birthday celebration. Hearing the affection in her voice when speaking about my daughter soothed something in me that had been raw for years.
She fits with us, Phantom rumbled contentedly. With our pup.
“Can I ask you something personal?” Aria finally said, her voice hesitant. You don’t have to answer,”
I turned on my side to face her. ‘Ask me anything, little one No secrets from you.”
“Aurora’s mother… what happened?”
The question I’d been expecting. My chest tightened, the old wound still tender despite the years. “Vanessa left when Aurora was just months old.”
“Just left?” Aria sat up, disbelief evident in her voice. “She abandoned her daughter and…you?”
I nodded once. “She said she didn’t want this life. Didn’t want to be a mother or Luna. She formally rejected me, severed her bond with Aurora, and renounced all connections to Moon Shadow.”
“She must have been crazy to leave that sweet little girl and-” Aria stopped abruptly, looking embarrassed. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t judge.”
“No, continue,” I said, a genuine smile forming. “I appreciate your honesty, Ria. Most people only tell me what they think an Alpha
wants to hear.”
We fell quiet again, each lost in thought. Aria yawned, breaking the spell. “I should head back. Gabriel will worry.”
I stood in one fluid motion, extending my hand to help her up. As she rose, her legs–fatigued from our training–gave slightly. I steadied her, bringing our bodies closer together.
Instead, I gently tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, my fingertips trailing against her skin. The contact sent electricity through me. Her blush told me she felt something too, even without a wolf’s instinctual recognition of a mate bond.
“You’re extraordinary, Aria Silverbrook,” I said, my voice dropping lower. “Whoever becomes your mate will be the luckiest man
alive.”
“Who knows,” she attempted to joke, “maybe no one wants a human mate like me.”
“Then he’d be an absolute fool,” I told her, watching her pulse jump in her throat. My thumb traced her botto breath. I leaned closer, drawn by some force beyond even Alpha power.
, feeling her shaky
“A complete fool,” I whispered, pressing my lips to hers. She didn’t pull away. Instead, her hands gripped my arms as she responded to the kiss. I cupped her face gently, tasting her sweetness with careful restraint, terrified of frightening her.
Every instinct screamed at me to claim her, but I knew better. When she didn’t protest, I placed my hands at her waist and lifted her. She wrapped her legs around me naturally, sending a surge of possessiveness through me.
When my fingers brushed the bare skin at her waist, she trembled and pulled back, her face flushed deep red.
“I… I don’t know if…” she stammered.
I pressed my forehead against hers. “I know. I won’t push you. But I’ve wanted you since you crossed into my territory, Aria.”
1/2
Chapter 24
“I want you too,” she admitted quietly. “But everything’s happening so fast, and I’m human, you’re Alpha…”
I kissed her again, softly. “We have time, little one. I’ll wait until you’re ready.”
I set her down gently, though every cell in my body protested. Phantom howled in frustration, but I maintained control.
I set her down gently, though every cell in my body protested. Phantom howled in frustration, but I maintained control.
Aria smiled softly. “I think I need a shower.” She paused, then added with unexpected boldness, “Would you like to join me?”
I froze, caught completely off guard by her sudden invitation. My heart raced as I searched her face, wondering if I’d misheard her.
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