Chapter 24
Aria’s POV
The grand ballroom doors closed behind me with a soft click as I finally extracted myself from Ethan’s embrace. My skin still tingled where his hands had gripped me, but I forced those dangerous thoughts away.
“I can manage from here,” I said firmly, avoiding his forest–green gaze. The warmth of his dinner jacket around my shoulders felt like both comfort and temptation.
Just then, a subtle shift in the air caught my attention. Ethan’s eyes took on that unfocused quality I remembered all too well- the look of wolves sharing thoughts through their pack bond. Once, I’d had that too, before Bella’s poison severed my connection to Cassandra. The familiar ache of loss twisted in my chest.
Ethan seemed to freeze for a moment, a slight frown creasing his brow. He may have received Emma’s mental communication, asking him to go back to her.
I forced myself to look away. Emma was making a point of showcasing her special connection with Ethan, while I, a lone wolf cast out from her pack, could no longer partake in such bonds.
I turned away, the silver dress swishing around my legs. Without a backwards glance, I made my way towards the exit, head held high despite the whispers that followed in my wake.
But as I stepped out into the cool night air, the tears I’d been holding back finally spilled over, tracing silver paths down my cheeks. The moon hung full and bright overhead, a silent witness to my pain.
wiped away my tears as Ethan followed up.
“At least let me drive you,” Ethan’s deep voice carried notes of both command and concern. But I was done taking orders from alphas, no matter how my traitorous body responded to his
presence.
I stepped out of his jacket, holding it out to him with steady hands. “No need. The walk will do me good.”
The night air hit my bare shoulders as I made my way down the winding path that led to the training facility. My silver heels dangled from my fingers as I walked barefoot on the rough pavement. The full moon painted everything in shades of silver and shadow, catching on the torn silk of my dress.
A sleek black Range Rover pulled up beside me, its engine purring softly in the quiet night. The passenger window slid down with an electric hum, revealing Jack’s sculptured features. The heir to the Storm Pack leaned across the center console, his expression apologetic.
“Need a ride, Silver Moon Princess? His smile seemed genuine this time. “Consider it my apology for being too forward at the ball earlier.‘
! hesitated, every instinct warning me to decline. But the training facility was still a good twenty–minute walk away, and my bare feet were already protesting against the rough
pavement.
‘Just a ride, Jack added, raising his hands in a gesture of peace. ‘No ulterior motives. It’s the least I can do after my behavior tonight.”
I surveyed my surroundings, weighing my options. The path stretched empty in both directions, and the torn dress left me feeling more exposed than I’d like. After another moment’s hesitation, I gave a short nod.
“To the training facility gates,‘ I said firmly. “Nowhere else.”
His smile widened as he reached across to open the door. The interior smelled of expensive leather and something darker – bourbon, maybe, with undertones of alpha musk. I settled into the passenger seat, keeping my muscles loose but ready. Six years without wolf powers had taught me never to relax my guard.
*That was quite a scene back there,” Jack’s voice carried carefully crafted sympathy as he pulled away from the curb. “Shadow Fang’s heir making such a… public display. Must have been embarrassing for you.”
I kept my expression neutral, though my fingers curled slightly against the leather seat. “I’ve survived worse.”
His laugh was warm and practiced, like everything else about him. “Oh, I’m sure you have. The famous fallen princess, making her way in the human world.” His hand left the gear shift, moving as if to pat my knee. I shifted subtly, avoiding the contact without making it obvious.
“You know,” he continued, his tone dropping lower, “Storm Pack has always admired strong women. We’re not as… traditional as some of the other packs.”
The implications hung in the air between us. I watched his reflection in the window, noting how his eyes kept darting to my bare legs where the torn dress had ridden up. The moonlight caught something predatory in his expression that had nothing to do with his wolf nature.
“That’s very progressive of you,” I said carefully, maintaining the delicate balance between polite and distant. The training facility’s lights were visible now, growing closer with each turn of the wheels. Just a few more minutes.
“You look like you could use a chance to freshen up,” Jack’s voice took on a gentler tone. “My place is just around the corner.”
I kept my tone light but firm. “Thank you, but I need to get home to my son.”
“Ah yes, the boy. His expression softened with what appeared to be genuine concern. “But looking like this…” He gestured at my torn dress. “Wouldn’t you rather clean up first? No child should see their mother in distress.”
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Chapter 24
The words struck a chord deep within me. Single motherhood had taught me how to be strong for Lucas, how to shield him from the harsh realities of our world. Every morning, I made sure to smile no matter how exhausted I felt. Every night, I checked my injuries from training before hugging him, careful not to let him see any weakness.
Lucas was already too perceptive for his age. Those forest–green eyes seemed to see straight through my carefully constructed walls.
The thought of him seeing me like this – dress torn, hair disheveled – made my chest tight. He’d already seen too much, carried too much worry for a six–year–old. The last thing he needed was another reason to fear for his mother.
“He’s quite remarkable, your son,” lack continued, his voice gentle. “I’ve heard how well he’s doing in school, how mature he is for his age. That speaks volumes about your parenting.”
I glanced at my reflection in the car window. The moonlight caught the rips in my dress, the slight smudge of mascara under my eyes, the general air of dishevelment that screamed victim‘ rather than ‘warrior‘. Not the image I wanted Lucas to see, not when he already worried so much about me.
After another moment’s hesitation, I nodded slowly. “Just long enough to make myself presentable.”
“Of course,” Jack smiled, turning onto a tree–lined avenue. The streetlights cast dappled shadows through the leaves, creating an almost magical atmosphere.
“I have a guest bathroom where you can fix your dress.”
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