Denderick’s POV
I stood frozen in place, trying to steady my breath as the door to my study clicked shut behind Alpha Marcus. The echoes of his threats still rang in my ears.
He was so hell bent on destroying everything I’d worked for, for years, and I sincerely couldn’t blame him.
I knew he wouldn’t hesitate to follow through with his threats. He was a man of power, and his influence reached far beyond what most could comprehend. If he took this to the Council, I’d lose it all. I’d lose my title, my pack, and the fragile peace I’d fought to maintain.
And I’d lose Aria and my son as well.
I couldn’t let that happen. Not for anything. I had to protect both of them.
I had to act fast, and there was only one option left. My feet felt heavy as I made my way down the corridor, my heart filled with the weight of the decision I was about to make. When I reached Aria’s door, I hesitated, my hand hovering just above the polished wood. I wasn’t sure I had the strength to do this. But I had no choice.
Pushing the door open, I was greeted by the soft, lilting sound of Aria’s voice. She was by the window, bathed in the golden light of the early afternoon sun. Her long, curly brown hair cascaded over her shoulders, catching the light in a way that made it seem almost angelic.
She wore a bright blue dress with frills, the fabric hugging her petite frame beautifully. Her delicate features were framed by that mass of curls, and her beautiful, piercing green eyes were focused intently on the small bundle in her arms.
She was singing to Edward, her voice gentle and soothing. The sight of her like this, so tender and so full of love, made my heart ache in a way I couldn’t describe. I had thought that I’d moved past these feelings, that I could handle the situation with the calm detachment of an Alpha. But watching her now, I realized that I was fooling myself.
I was in love with this woman.
I cleared my throat softly, not wanting to startle her. She looked up, and when our eyes met, she smiled; a smile that could melt the coldest of hearts. It melted mine, and for a moment, I forgot why I was here.
“Oh, Denderick,” she called out, her voice light and full of warmth. “You’re back. Is everything alright?”
I couldn’t bring myself to answer immediately. Instead, I crossed the room and sat down beside her, careful not to disturb Edward, who was sleeping soundly in her arms. I could still feel the warmth of her smile lingering in the air between us, but it felt like a knife to the heart, knowing what I had to say.
“Aria,” I began. “There’s…. there is something we need to talk about.”
Her smile faltered slightly, and I saw a flicker of concern in her eyes. “What is it?”
I took a deep breath, trying to find the right words, but there were no right words for this. “I just met with Alpha Marcus, Giselle’s father. I’m sure you remember him from that Council meeting. He’s furious, Aria. He threatened to take everything from me – my title, my pack – if I didn’t do something to fix the situation with Giselle.”
She listened quietly, and I watched her expression slowly darken as she realized where this was going. I could see the tension building in her, her body growing more rigid with every word I spoke.
“I’ve tried to keep you safe here, to protect you and Edward,” I continued, feeling my throat tighten. “But Marcus… He won’t let this go. If I don’t act, he’ll destroy everything.”
“And what does he want you to do?” Aria’s voice was steady, but I could hear the strain underneath.
I looked down at my hands, unable to meet her gaze. “He wants you to leave the pack house.”
Silence fell between us, heavy and oppressive. I could feel the air thicken with unspoken words and emotions that neither of us knew how to express. When I finally looked up, I saw that Aria’s smile had faded entirely. She was staring at me, her eyes distant and cold, as though a wall had suddenly risen between us.
“I see,” she muttered quietly, turning her gaze back to Edward. “You want me to leave.”
“It’s not that I want you to leave,” I said quickly, trying to explain. “But I have to find a way to restore peace, to keep the both of you safe from Alpha Marcus. This is the only solution I have left.”
Aria didn’t respond immediately. She just sat there, holding Edward close to her chest, her expression unreadable. When she finally spoke, her voice was distant, as though she was speaking to someone far away.
“I should have known this would happen.” She mumbled. “It doesn’t matter how much you care for me, Denderick. I’m just a breeder. That’s all I’ll ever be.”
“That’s not true,” I protested, reaching out to take her hand, but she pulled away, turning her back to me.
“Isn’t it?” she asked, her tone bitter. “I was foolish to think otherwise. It doesn’t matter that I’m the mother of your child. In the end, I’m just a tool to be used and discarded when I’m no longer needed.”
“Aria, please,” I pleaded, feeling a pang of guilt that I couldn’t shake. “I’m not pushing you out. I’m trying to protect you. I’m trying to protect our son.”
Her shoulders stiffened, and she turned her head slightly to look at me out of the corner of her eye. “This is my punishment, isn’t it? For lying that the baby belonged to Logan. For causing all this trouble.”
“It’s not a punishment,” I insisted, but my words felt hollow even to me. “I’ll make sure you’re comfortable. I’ll have the guards and maids prepare a nice cottage for you inside the pack. You and Edward will be safe there, I promise.”
She stared at me for a long moment, her eyes searching mine for something I couldn’t give her. Then, slowly, she turned away again, her voice barely audible as she spoke.
“Thank you, Denderick. Please leave; I need a moment to think about this.”