Aria POV

The sound of Kael’s boots faded down the hall, each step a drumbeat against my chest. I stayed where I was, frozen in the chair, staring at the empty space he had left behind. My hands wouldn’t stop trembling. I pressed them against my stomach as if that would steady me, but it only reminded me of what I was hiding.

My wolf stirred again, calm but firm. You cannot tell him. Not yet. He isn’t ready.

My throat burned. “He’s already suspicious,” I whispered under my breath. “He’s not going to stop until he finds out.”

Then let him search. But don’t give him the truth. If...