Aria's POV
By evening time, I had summoned enough courage to go the west wing despite Raine's warning.
My heart pounded in my chest as I walked, a steady drum that matched the rhythm of my footsteps.
I had spent the day replaying the story that Ivan told me, about the man Raine used to be before the curse twisted him into ice. I thought that maybe—maybe if could just talk to him, if I could make him see that we didn't have to love each other to coexist, things could change.
I paused at the heavy door to his chambers, hand raised to knock.
The door swung open almost immediately after my knock, and there he was—Raine, silver eyes narrowing as they landed on me. His shirt was untucked, sleeves rolled up, as if I'd caught him in the middle of something private.
"What are you doing here?" he demanded, voice low and sharp. "At this hour?"
I swallowed, standing my ground. "I've been busy all day. Training in the morning, Luna duties after. This is the only time I could come."
His jaw clenched. "Get out."
I shook my head, stepping forward before he could close the door. "Not until I say what I came to say."
Raine's eyes flashed with warning. "You forget your place, Aria. Leave. Now."
I lifted my chin boldly. "I know about Seraphine."
The name hit him like a blow. Raine's face darkened, his hands curling into fists at his sides.
"Don't you dare mention that name," he growled, stepping closer, towering over me. His voice was like a storm.
But I didn't back down. I couldn't. "You can't keep letting the past define how you treat others. Ever since I walked into this pack, you've treated me with nothing but coldness. Like I'm a burden. But yesterday, with the cubs—I saw you. The real you. Laughing, playing that song. And then I thought, what if there's more to the ice you've surrounded your heart with? Please, Raine. I'm begging you. We can still… relate to each other. Talk. We don't have to fall in love. We can just… not be enemies. For the pack's sake."
"Get out," he yelled, the words exploding like thunder.
I flinched. "Please, Raine."
"You know nothing about me. Nothing about what I've lost. Get out. I don't want you. I don't want anyone. And you, you're nothing but a broken omega whose wolf can't even come out. Weak. Pathetic. A liability I was forced to take. You are useless, Aria. Go back to your duties and leave me alone."
The words hit like a slap, sharp and stinging. My breath caught, tears spilling over before I could stop them.
I turned and fled, the door slamming shut behind me. The halls blurred as I ran, sobs choking my throat.
What was I thinking? Trying to talk to him like that? Like I could fix him? Like he'd listen?
I've been nothing but a fool.
I ran blindly through the corridors. The west wing's shadows seemed to swallow me as I stumbled toward the east, toward my chambers, toward anywhere that wasn't near him.
I didn't see Ivan until I nearly crashed into him.
He caught my arms, steadying me. "Aria? Goddess, what's wrong?"
I tried to speak, but only a sob came out. My face was wet, my breath hitching.
Ivan's expression darkened with concern. He glanced around quickly, then guided me gently into a quiet corner off the main hall—it had a cushioned bench beneath the narrow window. The manor was mostly empty this late; so no one would disturb us.
He sat me down and crouched in front of me, one hand on my knee.
"Talk to me when you're ready," he said softly. "I'm here."
I cried harder at first, the kind of crying that shakes your whole body. Ivan didn't push. He just stayed close, rubbing slow circles on my back until the sobs eased into quiet tears, then into shaky breaths.
When I could finally speak, the words tumbled out in a rush.
"I went to his chambers. I… I told him I knew about Seraphine. I thought that if he understood that we didn't have to love each other—just be civil, for the pack—he might let me in a little. I begged him, Ivan. I told him I saw the real him with the cubs. But he… he yelled at me. Told me to get out. Said he didn't want me, didn't want anyone. Called me a weak omega whose wolf can't even come out. Useless."
My voice broke again on the last word.
Ivan's face had gone still, jaw tight. He sat beside me on the bench, pulling me into his side. I leaned against him, exhausted.
"Why would you do that?" he asked quietly, no judgement in his tone—just worry. "Why go to him like that?"
"I thought talking would help," I whispered. "I thought if he knew I understood his pain, he'd stop pushing me away."
Ivan shook his head slowly. "The only reason I told you about Seraphine was so you'd be aware. So you'd understand why he is the way he is. Not so you'd go remind him of it. Bringing her up… that's like pouring salt in a wound that never healed."
I wiped my eyes. "I'm sorry. I didn't think—"
"I know," he said gently. "You have a kind heart, Aria. That's why you thought words could fix it. But talking has never helped Raine. Not with anyone. Not even with me, and I've known him half my life."
He pulled back just enough to look at me.
"Stay as far away from him as you can. For your own sake. He's not ready to let anyone in—and he might never be. Don't let him hurt you again."
I nodded, fresh tears slipping down my cheeks. "I feel so stupid."
"You're not stupid," Ivan said firmly. "You're brave. And hopeful. But hope can burn you when it's aimed at someone who's made shutting the world out his only way to survive."
He wrapped an arm around my shoulders again, and I rested my head against him.
We sat there until my tears dried and the ache in my chest dulled.
"I'll be okay," I said eventually, voice small.
Ivan pressed a light kiss to the top of my head—brotherly, comforting. "You will. You're stronger than you know."
He helped me to my feet and walked me back to my chambers. At the door, he gave my hand one last squeeze.
"Tomorrow's a new day. Training at dawn. Don't let him take that from you."
I managed a weak smile. "I won't."
He left me there, and I closed the door softly behind me.
I crawled into bed, still in my damp clothes, staring at the ceiling.
Raine's words echoed in my mind—cold, cutting.
Weak. Pathetic. Useless.
I curled into myself, hugging a pillow to my chest.
Lira stirred faintly inside me—a soft, sad whine.
At least she was still trying.
Even if I wasn't sure I was anymore.