CHAPTER 74: CHAPTER 74

Kael’s POV.

Aria’s scream woke me, sharp and loud, cutting through the quiet night. My heart jumped, my eyes snapping open, my body tense, my wolf, Zeus, growling, his worry loud.

The room was dark, the moonlight soft through the window, the air cool, the bed creaking under us.

Aria sat up, her silver hair messy, her blue eyes wide with fear, her hands shaking, her breath fast. My heart raced, my fear for her strong, my love pushing me to act.

I sat up, my ash-gray shirt loose, my arms reaching for her, my voice soft. "Hey," I said, my eyes meeting hers, my hands gentle on her shoulders.

"You’re safe. It was just a dream." My heart pounded, her fear cutting me, her pale face, her weak body from the river crash, still fresh in my mind.

She trembled, her hands clutching the blanket, her voice shaky. "It felt real," she whispered, her eyes wet, her body leaning into mine.

My heart broke, my love for her fierce, my need to protect her stronger than ever. I moved behind her, my legs around her, my chest against her back, her warmth grounding me.

"I’m here," I said, my voice low, my hand stroking her hair, my fingers soft, untangling her silver strands.

I grabbed a wooden comb from the table, its edges smooth, my hands steady, combing her hair slowly, the moonlight catching her locks, making them shine.

My heart swelled, my love for her loud, Zeus purring, his warmth steady.

"No one will hurt you again," I whispered, my voice gentle, my lips close to her ear, my hands moving slow, the comb gliding, her breathing easing.

The moonlight lit her face, her eyes closing, her fear fading. My heart steadied, my worry softening, my promise real, Celeste, Torin, anyone who tried to harm her would face me.

The room was quiet, the night calm, the blankets soft, her body relaxing against mine. I kept combing, my fingers gentle, my love for her keeping me there, her warmth my anchor.

The door creaked, my eyes snapping up, my heart jumping, Zeus growling low. Two maids stood there, their eyes wide, their hands clasped, their faces soft, almost crying, watching me comb Aria’s hair.

My heart warmed, my love for her clear, but my anger flared, their stares too close, too private. "Shut the door," I growled, my voice hard, my eyes burning.

"Get out." My tone was sharp, my protectiveness fierce, my hand pausing on Aria’s hair, her body still. The maids gasped, their steps quick, pulling the door shut, the wood clicking, their whispers fading.

My heart eased, my hand moving again, combing slowly, Aria’s breathing steady, her eyes closed, her sleep returning.

Morning came, the sunlight bright, the room warm, Aria sleeping, her face peaceful, her hand in mine.

My heart swelled, my love for her strong, my fear from the river, from Celeste’s lies, lingering but quiet.

I stood, my boots soft, my heart set on staying with her, not leaving her side. I walked to the hall, the stone floor cold, torches out, guards bowing, their eyes down.

I found Brian in the courtyard, his armor glinting, his brown eyes serious, his hands clasped. "Take over today’s events," I said, my voice firm, my eyes meeting his. "The Lunar Festival plans, the patrols, everything. I need to be with my Luna." My heart raced, my worry for her loud, my love stronger than duty.

Brian nodded, his face calm, his voice low. "I’ll handle it, Alpha," he said, his eyes steady, his loyalty clear.

My heart eased, my trust in him strong, my mind on Aria, her weakness, her stubbornness to keep going.

I turned, my boots quick, heading back, the halls busy, maids carrying trays, guards standing tall.

I reached our room, my hand on the door, my heart jumping, expecting Aria’s face, her smile. I pushed it open, the wood creaking, but the bed was empty, the blankets messy, her scent faint.

My heart stopped, my fear spiking, Zeus growling, his panic loud.

"Where is she?" I growled, turning to the guard by the door, his armor dull, his eyes nervous.

My voice was sharp, my fists clenching, my fear for her overwhelming, the river flashing in my mind, her limp body, her faint breath.

"Dining room, Alpha," he said, his voice low, his hands shaking, his eyes down.

My heart raced, my boots moving fast, running through the halls, the air warm, the packhouse alive, maids stepping aside, their eyes wide.

I reached the dining room, the table long, the smell of bread and soup strong, guards and maids quiet, their faces soft.

Aria sat there, her blue dress loose, her silver hair tied back, her face pale, her hands shaking, a spoon slipping from her fingers, her body weak.

My heart sank, my love for her fierce, my worry loud. I walked to her, my boots soft, my eyes on her, sitting close, taking the spoon, my hands steady.

"Let me," I said, my voice gentle, my heart racing.

I scooped soup, blowing on it, my breath slow, touching it to my lips, testing the heat, then feeding her, my eyes never leaving hers.

Her lips closed around the spoon, her smile weak, her eyes teasing.

"You’re too careful," she said, her voice soft, her hand touching mine, her warmth easing me.

My heart swelled, my love loud, my fear of losing her still there, the river’s cold in my bones.

"You’re the most precious thing I’ve ever held," I said, my voice low, my eyes burning, my hand steady, feeding her another spoonful. "I won’t let anything hurt you. Not even hot soup." My heart pounded, my love fierce, my protectiveness strong, Zeus purring, his warmth steady.

The guards and maids smiled, their eyes soft, their whispers quiet, watching me feed her, my care for her clear.

My heart warmed, their approval nice but my focus on Aria, her pale face, her weak smile.

We finished, the bowl empty, her eyes tired but bright, my hand holding hers, my heart full. I helped her stand, her body weak, her arm in mine, my steps slow, guiding her back to our room, the halls quiet, the sunlight fading, the air cool.

We reached the room, the bed soft, the door shutting, the world outside gone. She sat, her dress shifting, her hand pulling at the fabric, hiding a scar on her hand, small and jagged, from the river, from the seatbelt.

My heart sank, my love for her strong, my hand stopping hers, my fingers gentle, lifting her hand, the scar clear.

"Don’t hide it," I said, my voice soft, my eyes meeting hers, my heart racing.

I touched the scar, my fingers light, kissing it slow, my lips warm, her skin soft.

"Every scar on your body is proof you survived," I said, my voice low, my eyes burning, my love loud.

"Don’t ever hide them from me." My heart swelled, my protectiveness fierce, her smile small, her eyes wet, her hand squeezing mine.