Aria's POV
"Aria. One last time. Apologize. Or you know the consequences."
His voice was cold. Merciless.
I felt something inside me shatter completely.
The Alpha's pressure felt like countless hot steel needles piercing my limbs. My mouth filled with the metallic taste of blood. The pain in my wrist was almost enough to make me pass out.
But none of it compared to the chill his actions sent through me now.
He could humiliate me, hurt me, even kill me.
But he had no right to use the same methods on my friend.
"Astrid," I stopped her before she could argue further, shaking my head slightly. "Don't."
She turned to look at me, her eyes instantly reddening.
"Aria! You can't—"
"It's fine." I cut her off, forcing a reassuring smile, though I knew I probably looked worse than if I were
