Aria's POV:
Pain.
That was the first thing I felt when consciousness slowly returned to me.
A dull, burning ache spread through my lower abdomen, making my breath hitch. My fingers twitched slightly against the soft sheets beneath me, and a low groan escaped my lips before I could stop it.
I was alive.
The realization hit me just as memories crashed into my mind—sharp, violent, unforgiving.
Rogues.
Too many of them.
I remembered the way they had surrounded me in the forest, their eyes filled with hunger and cruelty. Twenty of them had fallen under my claws that night. I could still feel the snap of bones, the hot spray of blood, the way my wolf had fought like a demon unleashed.
Then the pain.
One of them had been smart enough. Cowardly enough.
A knife.
Laced with wolfsbane.
It had sunk deep into my stomach, stealing the strength from my limbs, burning through my veins like fire. I remembered running—forcing my body to move even when my vision blurred and my legs shook.
They had chased me.
Laughing.
Promising things I refused to think about.
My breath hitched as another memory surfaced.
A growl.
Deep. Terrifying. Powerful.
If that growl hadn't echoed through the forest…
I would have—
I squeezed my eyes shut, refusing to finish that thought.
My chest rose and fell rapidly as I whispered, "Who was it…?"
Slowly, carefully, I opened my eyes.
White walls. Soft lights. The steady beep of machines.
A hospital room.
I pushed myself up, hissing softly when pain shot through my body, but I refused to lie back down. My gaze shifted—and stopped.
Someone was standing near the window.
A man.
Tall. Broad-shouldered. His posture alert, protective.
He turned when he sensed my movement.
" How are you, my luna?" he said softly, relief clear in his voice.
I frowned slightly. "Who are you?"
He stepped closer, respectful, careful. "My name is Kai."
My eyes narrowed. "Did you bring me here?"
He shook his head. "No. The Lycan King Adrian brought you here."
The words barely registered—
because at that moment, something else happened.
A scent.
Warm. Strong. Dangerous.
It wrapped around my senses like an invisible chain, sending a shiver straight down my spine. My eyes fluttered shut on instinct as my lungs filled with it—power, something wild… something that felt terrifyingly right.
When I opened my eyes again—
He was there.
A man dressed in a black suit, tall and commanding, his presence alone making the room feel smaller. His sharp features were calm, but his eyes—
his eyes burned with something I couldn't name.
My heart skipped.
My wolf surged forward.
Before I could stop myself, the word slipped past my lips like a broken whisper.
"Mate…"
His lips curved into a soft smile as he stepped closer.
Kai bowed his head and quietly left the room, closing the door behind him.
The man stopped in front of me.
"Are you feeling better?" he asked gently. "Are you in pain?"
I couldn't answer.
My mind spun violently.
This was impossible.
My mate was Ryan.
Ryan—who had rejected me in front of everyone.
Who had humiliated me.
Broken me.
So what was this?
Second-chance mates were rare. Almost myths.
And yet—
My second-chance mate was standing in front of me.
The Lycan King.
One of the most powerful beings alive.
I barely realized I had gone quiet until he reached out and placed a hand on my shoulder.
"Aria," he said softly.
The moment his skin touched mine, my breath caught. Our eyes met.
My wolf howled with joy, pushing to the surface, desperate to claim him.
Mate… ours…
"No," I whispered inside my mind, blocking her forcefully.
Out loud, I said, "I'm fine."
I gently removed his hand from my shoulder and looked away.
"Thank you," I said stiffly. "For saving my life. If you hadn't arrived… I wouldn't be here."
Before he could respond, the door opened.
Dr. Rowan walked in. " How are we feeling, Aria?"
I glanced at Adrian—
then back at the doctor.
"I'm completely fine," I said quickly. "And I want to be discharged. I need to leave."
A low growl filled the room.
My head snapped toward Adrian.
His eyes glowed for a split second as he growled possessively, "Mine."
So that was his wolf.
Adrian turned sharply to the doctor. "We can take her home this evening?"
"I'm not going anywhere with you," I said instantly.
Dr. Rowan cleared his throat. "You're not going anywhere today. Tomorrow morning—yes. But not before."
He left without another word.
Silence filled the room.
Adrian looked at me. "You're my mate. You know that. Right?"
"Yes," I said quietly. "I do. But I don't want anything from you. I want to leave."
"Tomorrow," he said firmly. "We go to our home. You're my mate, Aria. You're not leaving alone."
I met his gaze, fire burning in my eyes.
"We'll see about that," I said coldly. "Because I will leave."
I lay back down, turning my back to him.
~
The day passed.
He tried to talk to me.
I ignored him.
Night fell.
After dinner, I lay silently in bed.
"Why are you ignoring me?" Adrian finally asked.
I closed my eyes.
Inside my mind, my wolf whispered, He's hurting. Talk to him.
"No," I replied harshly. "I won't make the same mistake again."
"My only goals are punishing my parents' killers… and taking my pack back from Ryan. Nothing else matters."
Please, Aria, Aera begged. He's different. This bond—
I blocked her.
Then I opened my eyes and looked straight at Adrian.
"Reject me," I said calmly. "I don't want to stay here."
Pain flashed across his face—but he didn't look away.
"I won't reject you," he said firmly. "Tomorrow, you're coming home with me. You're my mate. You're mine."
I turned away again.
He moved to the couch and sat down.
Eventually, exhaustion claimed me.
As sleep pulled me under, one thought echoed in my mind—
This bond would either save me…
or destroy us both.
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