Aria POV

Kael didn’t speak. He stood there, frozen, his jaw tight, his eyes burning into mine like he was searching for some truth that would give him peace. But there was no peace left between us, not after the words I had spoken.

I sat up straighter on the bed, wiping my face with the back of my hand. My tears hadn’t stopped, but I didn’t want him to see me as weak. Not anymore.

“You don’t get it, Kael,” I said, my voice steady now, low and sharp. “You think protecting me means locking me up and giving me orders. You think being Alpha gives you the right...