Aria's POV
My breath caught. "Noah..."
"I don't expect you to answer immediately." He smiled faintly. "But after what just happened, after almost losing you, I was reminded just how much you mean to me."
My chest tightened painfully because I couldn't pretend I felt nothing. The pull toward Ryder still lingered. The shattered mate bond with Damon still haunted me. And now, Noah.
Three men, three impossible feelings.
I lowered my gaze. "I'm sorry, Noah. But my heart isn't capable of choosing anyone right now."
I thought of Damon, of the pain we'd shared. I thought of Ryder, whose presence stirred instincts I couldn't explain.
Then Noah, the man who had just risked his life without a second thought.
"I don't even understand what's happening to me anymore."
Noah gently squeezed my ha
