Part 2 The Alpha’s Eyes
The forest was quiet in the way a blade is quiet before it strikes.
Aria stood at the edge of the cliff just beyond the Academy’s north wall, the wind tugging strands of hair from her braid, the scent of pine and frost clinging to her skin. Below her, the trees shimmered silver under the moonlight. A year ago, this view meant escape.
Now it felt like pressure.
Freedom came with weight.
Responsibility. Expectation. The bond glowing under her skin like wildfire in her veins.
She flexed her fingers. The marks on her collarbone and ribs had faded since the Veil had stabilized, but they still pulsed faintly when the moon was full—like they remembered. Like something was watching.
Behind her, she sensed him before he spoke.
“You’re brooding again.”
Aria didn’t tu
