Kael's POV.
I sat on the bed in Aria's room, my heart still racing from the fight with Seraphina, her slap on Aria's cheek burning in my mind, her cries as the guards dragged her out echoing.
Aria's hand was warm in mine, her silver hair loose, her blue eyes soft but worried, her cheek still red from the hit. Liam sat beside us, his small body leaning against me, his toy wolf clutched tight, his brown eyes bright, calling me "Big Brother" with a smile that eased my anger.
The air was cool, the torchlight flickering, the stone walls of the Shadow Claw packhouse dim, the room quiet except for Liam's soft giggles.
My heart ached, wanting to stay here, to hold Aria, to play with Liam, to forget the elders, Nicholas, and Elijah's death.
A sharp knock broke the silence, my heart jumping, my jaw tightening, Zeus growling, sensing duty calling.
I squeezed Aria's hand, my voice rough. "Come in," I said, my eyes on the door, my body tensing, knowing peace never lasted.
