THE ALPHA'S FORBIDDEN VOWS

THE ALPHA'S VOW

CHAPTER THREE

THE ALPHA'S VOW

Aria couldn't stop thinking about Adrian.

That was the problem.

She had spent the entire afternoon trying not to.

She organized old records.

She sorted documents.

She copied dates into the archive register.

She even reorganized an entire shelf that didn't need reorganizing.

Nothing worked.

Every few minutes, her mind returned to the same words.

"Because I meant it."

She could still hear Adrian's voice.

He had said it so calmly.

Almost as if admitting that she was his weakness was something he had been trying desperately not to say.

Aria closed the book in front of her.

"This is ridiculous."

Mrs. Elara glanced up from her desk.

"What is?"

Aria straightened.

"Nothing."

The older woman smiled knowingly.

"You've said 'nothing' quite a lot today."

Aria looked down at the book.

"I'm just tired."

"Of course."

Mrs. Elara returned to her paperwork.

Aria sighed quietly.

She couldn't understand why Adrian affected her so much.

She barely knew him.

They had spoken only a handful of times.

Yet every time he entered a room, she became painfully aware of his presence.

And there was something else.

Something she hadn't told Lila.

Something she hadn't even admitted to herself.

Whenever Adrian was near her, she felt safe.

It made no sense.

The man had spent the past two days telling her to stay away from him.

He was cold.

Distant.

Impossible to understand.

Yet some strange part of her trusted him.

Aria shook her head.

No.

She needed to stop thinking about him.

She stood and carried a stack of documents toward the shelves.

She had barely taken three steps when the archive doors opened.

Several pack members entered.

Aria looked up.

Her heart immediately skipped.

Adrian was among them.

Of course.

He walked into the room with Marcus beside him.

They were talking quietly.

Adrian's expression was serious.

He didn't look toward her.

Aria told herself that she was relieved.

Then she realized she was disappointed.

She immediately frowned at herself.

Why would she care whether he looked at her?

She turned back toward the shelves.

"Aria."

She froze.

Adrian was standing behind her.

She hadn't even heard him approach.

"Yes?"

"Come with me."

She frowned.

"Where?"

"My office."

"Why?"

"We need to talk."

Aria glanced toward Mrs. Elara.

The older woman was pretending very hard not to listen.

Aria sighed.

"Fine."

She followed him out.

The moment they stepped into the hallway, Adrian began walking.

Aria had to hurry to keep up.

"Can you slow down?"

He stopped.

She nearly walked into him.

Adrian looked down at her.

"Sorry."

It was such a simple word.

Yet somehow, hearing it from him surprised her.

Aria nodded.

"It's fine."

They continued walking.

Neither spoke until they reached his office.

Adrian opened the door.

Aria entered.

The office was surprisingly simple.

A large desk.

Bookshelves.

A few framed photographs.

A fireplace.

And a massive window overlooking the mountains.

Adrian closed the door.

Aria turned around.

"You said we needed to talk."

"We do."

"About what?"

He walked toward his desk.

"There are going to be changes within the pack."

"What kind of changes?"

"Security."

"Is there a problem?"

"We've had unusual activity near the eastern border."

Aria's expression became serious.

"Are we in danger?"

"I don't know yet."

"Then why are you telling me?"

"Because you're part of the pack."

She nodded.

"Okay."

Adrian looked at her.

"There's another reason."

Aria waited.

"You need to be careful."

"Because of the border?"

"Because of everything."

She frowned.

"What does that mean?"

Adrian leaned against his desk.

"It means that until we know what's happening, I don't want you going anywhere alone."

Aria crossed her arms.

"You're giving me another order."

"Yes."

"I'm beginning to think that's your favorite word."

A faint smile almost appeared on his face.

Almost.

Then it disappeared.

"Aria."

She became serious.

"Fine. I'll be careful."

"Promise me."

She blinked.

"Promise you?"

"Yes."

"Why?"

His gaze softened.

"Because I need to know you're safe."

Aria stared at him.

There was something different in his voice.

It wasn't the voice of an Alpha giving an order.

It sounded personal.

She looked away.

"I promise."

Adrian nodded.

"Good."

Silence settled between them.

Aria looked around the room.

Then her eyes landed on one of the photographs.

A younger Adrian stood beside an older man.

She recognized him immediately.

"The former Alpha?"

Adrian followed her gaze.

"My father."

Aria looked at the photograph again.

"You look different."

"I was younger."

"I mean... happier."

Adrian's expression changed.

"My father was alive then."

Aria immediately regretted the comment.

"I'm sorry."

"You didn't know."

"Still."

Adrian looked at the photograph for several seconds.

"He died eight years ago."

"Was he a good Alpha?"

Adrian gave a humorless smile.

"Depends on who you ask."

"What do you mean?"

"He was respected."

"That's not what I asked."

Adrian looked at her.

"No. He wasn't always a good man."

Aria remained quiet.

There was clearly more to the story.

But she didn't push.

After a moment, Adrian spoke again.

"My father believed an Alpha should never allow emotions to interfere with leadership."

Aria glanced at him.

"And you?"

"I believed him."

"Do you still?"

He looked away.

"I used to."

Aria studied his face.

"What changed?"

Adrian's eyes returned to hers.

"You."

Her breath caught.

Neither moved.

The silence between them suddenly felt heavier.

Aria whispered,

"Why?"

Adrian looked as though he was trying to find the right words.

"Because I made a vow."

"What vow?"

He didn't answer immediately.

Instead, he walked toward the window.

Aria followed him with her eyes.

"I was eighteen when my father died," he finally said. "Everyone expected me to become the next Alpha."

"And you did."

"Yes."

He paused.

"But before I accepted the title, I made a promise."

"To your father?"

"No."

Adrian looked out at the mountains.

"To myself."

Aria waited.

"I promised that I would never let a mate interfere with my responsibilities."

She stared at him.

"Your mate?"

"Yes."

"You mean... your future mate?"

Adrian's jaw tightened.

"I never expected to find her."

The words sent a strange feeling through Aria.

"And if you did?"

"I would reject the bond."

Aria's heart dropped.

She didn't know why.

It shouldn't have mattered.

She wasn't his mate.

At least, she didn't think she was.

"So that's your vow?"

"Yes."

"To reject your mate?"

"To protect my pack."

Aria shook her head.

"Those aren't necessarily the same thing."

"They are to me."

"Why?"

"Because I've seen what happens when an Alpha becomes distracted by love."

Aria folded her arms.

"Maybe your father was wrong."

Adrian's eyes narrowed.

"You didn't know him."

"No. But I know that loving someone doesn't automatically make you weak."

He said nothing.

"Sometimes," Aria continued, "having someone who cares about you can make you stronger."

Adrian looked at her for a long moment.

"You believe that?"

"Yes."

"Even after everything you've seen?"

"I haven't seen everything."

"Neither have you."

Aria smiled faintly.

"Then maybe we're both allowed to be wrong."

For the first time, Adrian actually smiled.

It was small.

Barely there.

But it changed his entire face.

Aria found herself staring.

He noticed.

The smile disappeared.

"You shouldn't look at me like that."

She blinked.

"Like what?"

"Like you're trying to understand me."

"Maybe I am."

"Don't."

"Why?"

"Because you might succeed."

Aria's heart raced.

She looked away.

"I think I'm already starting to."

Adrian went silent.

Then a loud knock interrupted them.

Marcus opened the door without waiting.

"Alpha, we have a problem."

Adrian immediately straightened.

"What happened?"

"Someone was found near the eastern border."

"Who?"

"We don't know."

"Alive?"

"Yes."

Adrian's expression hardened.

"Where?"

"At the old watchtower."

Adrian grabbed his jacket.

"I'm coming."

Marcus nodded.

Adrian looked at Aria.

"Stay here."

She frowned.

"You're leaving me alone?"

"Yes."

"You just told me not to go anywhere alone."

"I'll be back."

"And what if something happens while you're gone?"

His expression softened.

"Nothing will happen."

"You don't know that."

Adrian hesitated.

Then he turned to Marcus.

"Take her to the main hall."

Marcus nodded.

Aria followed them out.

But as they reached the hallway, a strange sensation suddenly moved through her.

She stopped.

Adrian noticed.

"Aria?"

She looked toward the eastern side of the building.

"I heard something."

Marcus frowned.

"Heard what?"

"I don't know."

Adrian's expression became serious.

"What did you hear?"

Aria shook her head.

"It was like..."

She paused.

"Like someone calling my name."

Adrian's entire expression changed.

"Where?"

"Outside."

He looked toward the windows.

Then back at her.

"Stay here."

This time, there was something frightening in his voice.

Aria nodded.

Adrian left with Marcus.

She watched them disappear down the corridor.

Something about his reaction bothered her.

Why had a simple sound frightened him?

And why did she have the strange feeling that whatever had called her name...

knew exactly who she was?

---

The old watchtower stood at the edge of the eastern forest.

Adrian arrived within minutes.

Several warriors were gathered around the area.

"What happened?" he demanded.

One of them stepped forward.

"We found him here."

Adrian looked toward the ground.

A man was sitting against the base of the tower.

He was unconscious but breathing.

"Is he one of ours?"

"No."

Adrian crouched beside him.

There was a mark on the man's wrist.

Adrian's eyes narrowed.

He recognized it.

His father had used the same symbol years ago.

A symbol Adrian had hoped never to see again.

Marcus noticed his expression.

"Alpha?"

Adrian stood.

"Get everyone back to the pack house."

"Why?"

"Now."

Marcus hesitated.

"Adrian, what's happening?"

Adrian looked toward the forest.

His instincts were screaming.

Something had returned.

Something connected to his father's past.

Something that might now be connected to Aria.

His face hardened.

"Someone is looking for her."

Marcus went still.

"Aria?"

Adrian didn't answer.

He was already running.

Back toward the pack house.

Back toward her.

Because for the first time in eight years, Adrian Blackwood was beginning to realize something terrifying.

His vow wasn't protecting him from love.

It was preventing him from admitting the truth.

And the truth was becoming impossible to ignore.

Aria Vale wasn't simply a woman who had entered his life.

She was the woman fate had chosen for him.

His mate.

And someone else already knew it.