His Alpha aura rolled outward like an invisible storm, pressing heavily against the room.
“I’ll give you two days,” he said in a low, dangerous voice. “Two days to think carefully.”
His eyes darkened.
“I am prepared to withdraw the charges. Clara and my mother are willing to settle this quietly before the council.”
He paused before revealing the price.
“But your brother must take responsibility. He will marry my sister. That is the only way to restore her honor before the pack.”
Then his gaze softened slightly as it fell on Aria.
“And you,” he continued quietly, “will return to me. Come back to your Alpha… and to your mate.”
For a moment Aria simply stared at him.
Then she laughed.
It was hollow. Bitter.
“Not happening.”
Her voice carried no hesitation.
“Neither my brother nor I will accept your disgusting offer. Marcus would never bind himself to a manipulative viper like your sister.”
Caleb’s temper flared instantly.
But Aria raised her hand sharply before he could speak.
“Don’t bother,” she cut him off.
“And as for me?” she added with icy calm. “I would rather walk this earth mate-less for the rest of my life than return to a man like you.”
Her voice dropped into a deadly whisper.
“Now walk out of this apartment before I throw you out myself.”
She pointed toward the door again.
“Tomorrow the council will receive my petition.”
Caleb’s eyes darkened dangerously.
“You’ll regret this,” he said coldly. “Both you and your brother will regret challenging your Alpha.”
Aria didn’t flinch.
“Do your worst, Mr. Lutherford.”
The two of them stared at each other in silence for several long seconds.
Then Caleb clenched his teeth and turned sharply toward the door.
His warriors followed him immediately, leaving Marcus collapsed on the floor.
The moment Caleb disappeared down the hallway, Aria rushed to her brother’s side.
---
Outside the building, Caleb stood rigid beneath the pale evening moon.
Every instinct within him screamed for him to turn around—to run back upstairs, tear down the door, and drag Aria back into his arms.
His wolf howled furiously inside his mind.
The distance between them felt wrong.
Unnatural.
Life without her had become unbearable.
The Alpha mansion that once felt alive now stood silent and hollow. Aria had been the one who filled its halls with warmth. Her scent had lingered in every room.
Without it, the place felt like a tomb.
And now everything was gone.