ARIA
I dressed slowly, my hands trembling as I fastened the last clasp of my dress. The mirror reflected someone who looked almost calm, but my heart was far from it.
The words of my father kept echoing in my mind like a curse, his demand that I report every one of Axel’s moves, that I use my position as his mate to spy on him.
It made me sick and Axel had done nothing but protect me, nothing but stand by me even when no one else would yet, my father wanted me to be the knife in his back.
I swallowed hard, forcing the thoughts aside. My diary, my necklace… All my memories on my old phone had been messed with and that isn't helping.
I bit my lip, holding back the sting in my eyes. Then a knock broke through my thoughts.
I turned just as Aunt Diane’s warm, familiar voice called, “Aria
