Aria's POV.
I sat on the edge of my bed, my hands twisting the blue blanket, my heart filled with sadness. The room was quiet, the candle's light flickering, causing soft shadows on the stone walls.
My thoughts were a mess, my chest tight with worry that Alpha Kael would hate me for ignoring him.
I'd avoided his eyes in the throne chamber, stepped back from his touch, left him standing there, his hand hanging in the air.
His voice, soft but firm, "Look at me" still echoed, his sadness cutting me deep. I wanted to tell him everything, to explain why I was pulling away, but Seraphina's threat held me back, her words sharp: "I want Alpha Kael. Leave, or I'll make sure you lose everything."
My wolf, Kyra, whined, her sadness matching mine, urging me to be strong, to tell the truth, but I felt trapped, my heart racing, my hands trembling.
