The room was dimly lit, and the scent of blood still lingered in the air like a warning. Aria refused to move from Lucian’s side, her fingers laced tightly with his as if afraid he’d vanish if she let go.
Outside, the murmurs had started. She could hear them through the walls,the pack questioning, whispering, scared.
If Lucian’s this wounded… who will protect us now?
“I have to speak to them,” Lucian said suddenly, shifting to sit up. Pain sliced through him like fire, and he gritted his teeth to hold back a groan.
Aria pushed him back down. “You’re not going anywhere. You’ll bleed out on the damn floor before you make it past the door.”
“I can’t lie here while they doubt me,” he rasped. “An Alpha doesn’t hide behind his mate.”
Her heart cracked at the word mate.
“You’re not hiding,
