“Well, well,” he drawled. “Looks like your butterfly finally flew away. I heard Sophia broke the engagement.”
He tilted his head slightly.
“Funny thing is… she’s already promised to another. Daniel Stroke—the French merchant who’s been visiting the northern territories.”
Caleb shrugged.
“A friend of mine, actually. Apparently he’s had his eyes on her for quite some time.”
He smirked.
“They’ll likely be wed before the next winter moon.”
His gaze locked onto Marcus.
“So tell me… how does that feel?”
Pain flashed across Marcus’s face.
Aria grabbed Caleb’s arm and forced him to look at her.
“Yes, Sophia ended things,” she said coldly. “But honestly, it’s better that way. Hard times reveal who truly cares.”
Her eyes burned with defiance.
“We don’t need people who abandon us when life becomes difficult.”
Marcus gave her a grateful smile.
Caleb’s jaw tightened.
“You’re playing with fire, Aria,” he warned darkly. “I told you what would happen if you refused to return to me.”
“I’d rather face consequences than return to a man like you,” she replied. “Loving you once was the greatest mistake of my life.”
Anger flashed in Caleb’s eyes.
In an instant he grabbed her waist and pulled her against him.
Aria struggled immediately, but his Alpha strength overwhelmed her.
Marcus rushed forward—
But Caleb’s warriors restrained him.
Caleb leaned close to Aria.
“I want to hate you,” he murmured quietly. “But I can’t. I still love you.”
His voice softened.
“These months without you have been torture. Even our wolves cry for each other through the broken mindlink.”
“Let me go,” Aria hissed. “Your touch disgusts me.”
His eyes darkened.
“Disgusts you?” he repeated bitterly. “This is the same touch you once begged for beneath the full moon.”
“That was before,” Aria said coldly. “Not anymore.”
Marcus shouted furiously.
“Let her go, Caleb!”
But Caleb ignored him.
“Do you know how I felt when I saw my sister bruised and crying?” he said coldly. “You deserve to feel the same pain.”
Before Aria could react, he shoved her against the wall and crushed his lips onto hers.
Tears streamed down her face as she struggled.
Her fists pounded against his chest.
But he pinned her wrists above her head.
Across the room Marcus roared in rage, trying desperately to break free.
Even Caleb’s own warriors looked away uneasily.
“Punish me instead!” Marcus shouted hoarsely. “Leave her alone! You’ll regret this, Caleb!”