Aria's POV
After the reports and the inspection, I finally escaped to my chambers.
Raine's short "good" still echoed in my ears. Maybe if I talked to Lira, the irritation would fade.
I closed the door behind me and leaned against it, letting out a long breath.
I kicked off my shoes and sank onto the bed, closing my eyes.
Lira, I whispered inwardly. Are you there? Talk to me.
Nothing.
Just the faint, familiar hum—present, but silent. Like always.
I groaned, flopping back against the pillows.
"Why are you so stubborn?" I muttered aloud.
A soft knock at the door pulled me up.
"Come in."
The door opened, and Ivan stepped inside, still in his patrol gear—cloak dusted with rain, hair tousled. He looked tired, but his smile was warm as ever.
"Hey," he said. "Back from the border."
I sat up, relieved to see him. "Good. How was it?"
"Fine. Boring, mostly." He closed the door and leaned against it, crossing his arms. "How about you? Luna duties today?"
I rolled my eyes. "Don't ask."
He raised a brow. "That bad?"
"Raine," I said, the name tasting sour. "Called me into his study for reports. I was soaked from the rain—training, supplies, you know. My tunic was… clinging."
Ivan's mouth twitched.
"He noticed," I continued, cheeks heating at the memory. "Stared for a second, then yelled at me to go change before we could finish talking. Like I'd done it on purpose."
Ivan burst out laughing deeply, his eyes crinkled.
"Oh, gods," he managed between chuckles. "He actually yelled at you to go change?"
"Yes!" I said, half-laughing now too. "Like I was some indecent—"
Ivan wiped his eyes, still grinning. "Poor Raine. Probably wasn't about you at all. Man gets hard too easily and hates admitting he's human."
I snorted, covering my mouth.
"He's got ice in his veins everywhere else," Ivan went on, "but apparently his penis didn't get the memo."
I lost it then—laughing so hard my sides hurt, tears pricking my eyes.
When we finally calmed, I looked at him, chest warm.
"I don't know what I'd do without you," I said softly. "You always know how to lighten the mood when I need it most."
He smiled, softer this time. "Good. Someone has to."
He pushed off the door, offering his hand.
"Come on. Walk with me? Fresh air might help wash the day away."
I took his hand without hesitation.
"Yeah," I said. "I'd like that."
We strolled along the moonlit path, the cool night air brushing our skin. In the distance, a group of cubs were still up—sneaking around the kitchens, giggling as one held a stolen loaf of bread high like a trophy.
Ivan chuckled, nodding toward them. "Look at those little thieves. Reminds me of my rogue days."
I laughed. "They'll get caught. They always do."
He glanced at me, eyes twinkling. "Speaking from experience? What kind of trouble did little Aria get into back in Silvercrest? I bet you were a terror."
"Me? Never."
"Hmmm, I smell lies," he said, leaning in with mock suspicion, nose wrinkling dramatically.
"Ok, I'll admit," I said, holding up my hands in surrender. "I used to sneak honey cakes from the kitchens more than once. Got caught with sticky fingers and a guilty face. The cook—old Marta—would chase me with a wooden spoon, yelling about 'thieving little wolves.' But she always let me keep one anyway."
Ivan threw his head back and laughed, the sound warm and rich in the quiet night.
"I knew it," he said. "Sticky-fingered honey thief. Fits you perfectly."
I swatted his arm playfully. "And you? Mr. Rogue—don't tell me you were a perfect angel."
He grinned. "Never. Once painted a rival rogue's den bright red with berry juice. Took him days to scrub it off. He chased me for a week."
I shook my head, still smiling. "We were terrible."
"We were kids," he corrected gently. "Trying to find a little sweetness in a hard world."
As we reached a quiet clearing, Ivan stopped, tilting his head.
"Listen," he whispered.
We stood still. Night sounds filled the air—crickets, distant owl calls, the rustle of leaves.
"I love this," I said. "The forest at night. It feels… alive."
Ivan turned to me. "Your scent mixes with it perfectly. Pine and rain and something that's just you."
My cheeks warmed. "Careful. That almost sounded sweet."
He stepped closer, wrapping his cloak around my shoulders when I shivered.
"Only almost?" he teased, hands lingering at my collar.
I looked up at him, moonlight catching in his eyes.
"Definitely sweet."
He smiled, slow and real.
The kind of smile that reached his eyes and made the night feel warmer.
We stood there under the moonlight, the quiet path stretching behind us, the manor lights distant and soft.
Ivan's expression shifted, the playfulness fading into something more serious.
"About earlier," he said quietly, voice low. "What we almost did. I… I'm sorry."
I blinked, caught off guard. "Why are you apologizing?"
He looked away for a moment, jaw tightening.
"Because you're Raine's wife," he said finally. "And I'm his Beta. Technically… you belong to him. Nothing's supposed to happen between us."
The words landed heavy.
I stared at him. "What's wrong if something does happen? It's not as if Raine can love me. The curse won't let him. If there's another chance at love—or even just feeling wanted—why can't I take it?"
Ivan shook his head, eyes pained. "You don't understand."
"Then explain it to me."
He exhaled slowly. "Raine and I… we've known each other a long time. I've stood by him through everything—the curse, the losses, the nights he couldn't sleep because of what it took from him. It's not his fault. None of it. And just because he's cursed doesn't mean I get to take what belongs to him."
I stepped back, anger flaring. "I belong to no one."
Ivan's voice was gentle but firm. "You're his Luna, Aria. Whether you like it or not. The pack sees it. The Goddess bound you. And I won't betray him—not like that."
The night air felt colder suddenly.
I wanted to argue. Wanted to say that Raine didn't want me, didn't care, had made that clear a hundred times.
But the look in Ivan's eyes stopped me.
Loyalty.
Deep, unbreakable loyalty.
He was doing this for Raine.
Ivan took a small step closer, voice softer now.
"I don't want to argue," he said. "I just… for his sake, let's stick to friendship. Nothing more. No kiss. No… anything like this morning."
He looked at me, pleading.
"Please, Aria. Promise me."
My throat tightened.
I didn't want to.
But I saw it in his eyes—the war between what he felt and what he believed was right.
I nodded slowly, hesitantly.
"I promise."
His shoulders relaxed, relief and regret mingling in his expression.
"Thank you," he whispered.
We stood there a moment longer, the space between us suddenly wider.
Then he turned back toward the manor.
"Come on," he said quietly. "It's late."
I followed, the warmth from earlier gone.
The path felt longer on the way back.
And when we reached my door, he only offered a small, sad smile.
"Goodnight, Aria."
"Goodnight."
I closed the door behind me.
And for the first time that night, the quiet felt lonely.