Aria’s legs felt like lead as she stared into the Shadow Alpha’s silver eyes. Every instinct screamed at her to run, but the sight of the little girl bound to the tree held her in place like an anchor.
“Don’t listen to him,” Killian’s voice was a low, dangerous growl. His claws were still dripping blood, his chest heaving. “He wants you to break. He wants you to give him what he can’t take.”
The Shadow Alpha tilted his head, amused. “Is that so?” His gaze never left Aria as he stepped forward, the shadows around him moving like living things. “Tell me, little key, how much is that child’s life worth to you? Enough to surrender yourself?”
Aria’s throat tightened. She could feel her power thrumming under her skin, begging to be unleashed, but she was afraid. Afraid that if she lost contro
