She had chosen her brother over their sacred mate bond.
Caleb wanted her to return.
He wanted her to bow her head and beg for forgiveness.
But that day would never come.
Aria had endured far more pain than he believed she could bear. She knew that someday Caleb would regret what he was doing.
But when that day came…
His regret would mean nothing.
Meanwhile Marcus’s spirit continued to deteriorate.
The Pack Academy, once the place where he had trained for years, expelled him soon after the scandal spread across the territory. His dreams vanished overnight—even though no judgment had yet proven him guilty.
Whispers chased him everywhere.
Cold glances.
Cruel words sharp as silver blades.
Marcus was only twenty-one.
No matter how hard he tried to stay strong for Aria and for Sophia, the weight crushing down on him grew heavier each day. Slowly, painfully, he felt himself losing everything—including the wolf he once was.
After Aria managed to secure his temporary release from the council’s holding cells, Marcus tried to help rebuild their lives.
He searched for work across the territory.
But every door closed the moment wolves recognized his name.
Harsh words greeted him everywhere.
How could people condemn someone without knowing the truth?
Being accused of a crime you never committed was a torment that slowly tore a person apart from within.
Hatred burned in Marcus’s chest.
Even that word felt too small for what he felt toward Clara… and toward Caleb.
He understood Caleb believed he was protecting his sister.
But the lengths the Alpha had gone to were destroying far more than Marcus alone.
He was destroying Aria too.
---
“Marcus… pull yourself together,” Aria whispered softly.
She wrapped her arms around him, holding him tightly as if afraid he might shatter.
“I’m still here,” she murmured gently through their faint sibling mindlink. “I’m not leaving you.”
Marcus buried his face in her shoulder as tears fell freely.
In his hand he clutched the silver ring he had once given Sophia beneath the full moon.
Only hours earlier, Sophia had ended their engagement.
Five months of hearings before the pack council and endless rumors had worn down her faith.
In the end… she could not keep believing.
“I… I think she believes them now,” Marcus choked. “She thinks maybe I really tried to hurt Clara.”
His voice broke completely.
Aria immediately shook her head and cupped his face.