Aria’s POV

The soft rays of the morning sun filtered through the curtains, warming the edge of my bed and gently dragging me from sleep. For the first time in weeks, I felt rested. Maybe it was the way Kael had held me the night before, his warmth cocooning me, or maybe it was simply exhaustion winning over my restless mind. Either way, I wasn’t ready to let go of that peace just yet.

But the pack house wasn’t merciful. The distant chatter of servants, the sound of clattering plates from the kitchen, and the occasional bark of commands drifted through the walls. It reminded me of where I was—reminded...