The Festival of Blood had concluded, but the aftermath was anything but tranquil. The excitement and revelry of the festival had given way to a quieter, more reflective atmosphere in Crescent Park. The festival’s end brought a sense of relief to Aria, but it also heightened her anxiety. The secret she shared with Steve was becoming increasingly difficult to manage, and the pressure to maintain their covert bond was starting to take its toll.
Jerome Perkins was not a man easily fooled. As the Alpha of Crescent Park, he had a keen eye for detail and a sharp sense of intuition. In the days following the festival, he had been observing his daughter more closely, noting subtle changes in her behavior that were beginning to raise his suspicions.
Aria’s usual demeanor was subdued, her smiles le
