Aiden’s POV
The last few months had been surprisingly peaceful like the universe had finally gifted us a rare break from chaos. Shenaya and I had settled into a new rhythm here in Rome, a blend of family life and preparations for the wedding. Zoey had been making incredible strides in her training with Skylar, who surprisingly had shown genuine dedication and care for her daughter. Twice a week, Skylar would bring Zoey back to Shenaya and me, letting us have family time before Zoey returned to her lessons. Our daughter was stronger, and more in control, and I knew we had Skylar to thank for that.
Meanwhile, Shenaya had thrown herself into plans for her new brand, hoping to establish it here in Rome now that we’d decided to build our lives here. Though she’d already given me her heart and allowed me to mark her, I felt the need to make things official. I wanted her as my wife, not just my mate, and she deserved to be given that choice. So, a few weeks ago, I’d proposed, and now Shenaya, my mother, Isla, and Lilah were caught up in the planning. Shenaya had initially insisted on keeping it simple-
“We’ve already got a child together, Aiden,” she’d said with a soft laugh-but my mother wouldn’t hear of it. Knowing them, they’d eventually find a compromise.
As for me, I didn’t care about the details. It didn’t matter how grand or how simple the ceremony was. I just wanted Shenaya and the life we’d fought so hard to build.
But even with so much to be grateful for, the darkness hadn’t lifted for everyone.
Lucy was still struggling. She was a ghost of the person she once was, silent and shattered. Since her return, she’d barely spoken a word about what she endured, and her silence had become a weight that we all felt. She’d given birth a few weeks ago but hadn’t touched her child, hadn’t looked at him. I knew it was because of Alenjro. He was a monster, her mate, and he’d stripped her of everything-her wolf, her spirit, her dignity.
That was not my sister, I thought, she was dead and had been replaced just by a mere shell of her body.
As I was about to step to my quarters, I saw her sitting quietly all by herself with her back towards me, on a wooden bench facing nowhere in particular. The sight turned into something inside me, a prosaic blend of sorrow and anger that can never do anything. She looked lost, confused, and broken, so different from the full happy life she used to lead.
I walked to her and sat beside her but made sure I did not cause her any discomfort.
“Hi” I greeted her gently, in my tone I could only hope that she wouldn’t pull away from me again but, he said nothing, she didn’t pay any attention to me. I drew in a deep breath so that I would not be too irritated by her behavior. It wasn’t her fault, she was still suffering, and I was clueless about how to help her.
“Lucy,” I said hesitantly, having a slight hope that she would respond “None of us really know how it feels to experience domestic violence and everything you went through, I can’t pretend to know. But…if ever you are willing to discuss it I am here.”
The silence stretched, and I began to rise, ready to give her the space she seemed to need. But then, barely a whisper, her voice broke the stillness.
“Just do me one favor,” she said, and I froze, hearing the weight in her voice. “Do me one favor, and I’ll die happy.”
Her words stunned me. I turned to face her, searching her eyes for a clue.
“What do you want me to do, Lucy?”
Her gaze finally met mine, her eyes filled with a haunted determination.
“Find Alenjro. Bring him to me…alive. Promise me you’ll find him, no matter how long it takes.”
I clenched my jaw, feeling the fire of anger roar to life inside me. She didn’t have to say it-her face, her broken spirit, told me all I needed to know. She wanted revenge, and she deserved it. She deserved the chance to face the man who had destroyed her.
“I promise, Lucy,” I said, my voice low and fierce. “I will find Alenjro. You’ll get your revenge, even if it’s the last thing I do on this earth.”
A shadow of relief crossed her face, a flicker of something almost like hope, and with that promise lingering between us, I left her on the bench and headed straight to my office. Alenjro had vanished after Lucy’s rescue, but I was willing to tear down every corner of the world to find him.
I dialed Ethan, knowing he would understand the urgency. He picked up on the second ring, and his familiar sarcasm greeted me.
“You know, you could’ve just texted. Or are you calling to propose to me too? My wife might have something to say about that.”
Despite the weight of the situation, I couldn’t help but crack a small smile.
“I need your help, and it’s urgent.”
“Shoot,” he said, all humor gone.
“I need your men to be on the lookout for Alenjro. I need him alive.”
There was a pause on the other end, and when Ethan replied, his voice was hard to understand.
“You got it. He needs to pay for what he did.”
We chatted briefly, then hung up, a silent understanding between us. Ethan might be back in Paris now, with his own pack to lead, but he was family, as close to me as a brother.
Two weeks later, a call came in. Ethan’s name flashed on my screen, and my heart thudded as I picked up. His voice was terse, direct.
“Aiden, we found him. He’s being transported to Rome as we speak. Prepare the to face that bastard.”
“Understood,” I replied, barely able to contain the rush of adrenaline.
I informed Lucy, who nodded, her face pale but resolute. A glint of fear flickered in her eyes, but it was overpowered by something stronger.
Hours later, Alenjro arrived in silver shackles was heavily restrained, and was thrown into the darkest depths of the dungeon. I wasted no time following him because the weight of my promise to Lucy was pressing on to me.
The stench hit me first, the stale air, mingling with the tang of silver and wolfbane. Alenjro was bound to a chair, thick silver chains wrapped around his wrists and ankles, pressing into his skin. I placed vials of wolfbane-infused water nearby, reminders of the pain he was about to face.
When I entered, he looked up, his face contorted with mockery and arrogance. A sneer curled on his lips, and he spat on the floor.
“Aiden the big brother,” he drawled, disdain dripping from his tone. “Always there to play the hero?”
I Ignored his taunts, and stepped closer, fixing him with a cold, steady gaze.
“Why did you do it, Alenjro?” I asked my voice deadly calm. “Why did you destroy her?”
A twisted smile spread across his face, his eyes glinting with malice.
“Did what exactly? I did quite a lot of things to her.”
My hands trembled with rage, and before I knew it, I grabbed one of the vials and splashed the wolfbane-infused water across his face. His scream pierced the air, his skin sizzling where the water made contact but, even as the pain contorted his face, he laughed, the sound harsh and grating.
Just then, a figure appeared in the doorway. I turned to see Lucy standing there, a bundle in her arms, her son. She entered the room, her gaze fixed on Alenjro, a cold determination in her eyes.
Alenjro’s laughter faltered, and his eyes narrowed as he looked at her.
“So, you not a barren after all?” he sneered, his voice dripping with disdain. “Tell me, Lucy, you couldn’t give me a pup but you could give other wolves?”
Lucy’s face paled, but she didn’t say anything. What does he mean by that? If he isn’t the father of the baby then who was? The confusion roared in me but I decided to just watch.
“Do you even know the father of the pup? Oh, do you?” he mocked, a twisted smile on his face. ” I mean we both remember how it was back in those cages. I lost count of how many wolves took a turn on you?”
The words struck like a physical blow. That was when I realized what was going on. I watched as Lucy’s face went white, her body trembling. Horror washed over me as his words sank in. This was beyond anything I’d imagined. Alenjro had not only betrayed her but had allowed-no, arranged-for her to be used and abused.
“You watched it all. You stood there and watched while they tore me apart. And you did nothing.” Lucy’s voice shook, but she spoke, her gaze never wavering.
“Why should I have stopped them? You were pathetic, Lucy. Proud. They were only doing what was natural, putting you in your place.” He laughed, the sound low and cruel.
I felt a fury so intense it nearly blinded me. I stepped forward, gripping his throat, my fingers digging into his skin.
“You’re a monster,” I spat, my voice a growl. “You don’t deserve to breathe the same air as her.”
But Lucy’s hand touched my arm, stopping me. She shook her head, her gaze fixed on Alenjro, a cold fire in her eyes.
“No, Aiden. He is mine.”
“You took everything from me. My wolf. My spirit. But I will make sure you suffer, Alenjro. You will feel every ounce of the pain you caused.” She turned back to him, her voice barely a whisper
For the first time, a flicker of fear crossed his face as he realized the strength she’d reclaimed, the power he’d failed to extinguish.