SHADE POV -
Aria was going to hate me. And this time, she had every right to.
I stood at the edge of the balcony outside the council chamber, bracing my palms against the railing, trying not to punch straight through the stone. Below, the pack was getting ready for the event. They had no idea what was coming. What I had to do.
She'd already marked me. Chose me. Declared that I belonged to her with the kind of fierce devotion only a Luna could have. It was a vow. She believed I'd protect her, believed I'd stand by every promise I'd made. She believed in me enough to claim me in front of a world that doubted her.
And I let her. I let her bind herself to me knowing damn well I might have to break her heart. Again.
I was going to make sure this was the last damn time.
She'd asked me t
