Aria’s POV
“Aria… Aria…”
The voice floated through the fog in my head like a distant echo, pulling me slowly toward consciousness. My eyelids felt heavy. My limbs, heavier. Every breath I took felt like it was dragging me up from deep water.
“Aria, can you hear me?”
I forced my eyes open.
The ceiling was white. Too white. I blinked slowly, turning my head toward the voice. Mara. Her eyes were red, hands wringing a washcloth. Beside her stood someone else. Taller. Broad shoulders. Dominant presence.
Alpha Lucien.
My heart skipped.
What was he doing here?
Panic swelled in my chest.
Did something happen?
Why is he here?
Who told him I’m in the hospital?
Does he know about…
No. No. There was nothing to know. Right?
But why was I here?
“Aria,” he said, stepping closer to the bed
