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But I knew the truth. Every trial he’d ever faced, however cruel and unfair, had honed him into the male I loved. A male worthy of the title ofalpha.Pressing my cheek to his chest, I clamped my eyes shut and focused on the steady beat of his heart. Hisgood,fair heart.

“Maybe that’s exactly why it should be you,” I whispered, kissing the spot above his heart.

24

ARIA

Over the next few weeks, we entered a blissful period of peace. Every night, I fell asleep entangled with my mate. Every morning, we woke side by side.

Although Roman kept Malik occupied with his various duties as a general, overseeing training or making preparations for the quarterly patrol of the entireIntonat Nocteterritory, he did not dare to interfere withus.Since we cemented our mate bond, Roman smartly kept his distance, no doubt recognizing that Malik’s control hung on a very thin, very precarious thread.

Most days, I remained by Malik’s side on the training field. Sometimes, he accompanied me to the clinic, hulking by the wall while I worked and glaring daggers at any patient that dared to linger too long after treatment. If he couldn’t be with me, Emerson took his place, and we spent enough time together that I considered her a friend.

Several times a week, Malik and I would shift into our wolf forms and enjoy long runs through the surrounding woodland. More often than not, we’d find a pond or a meadow and spendhours alone amongst the wilderness, making love and talking and playing and learning every little detail about our soul’s other half.

And, through it all, my belief in Malik’s ability to lead theIntonat Noctecontinued to grow.

He spoke to every pack member, old and young, strong and weak, with fairness. He governed the warriors with an iron fist, yet treated every individual with kindness when they earned it. From my view, the pack revered him as a leader. Only a select few, who I’d come to recognize as Roman’s inner cadre, showed disdain for Malik.

I knew, in my heart, that theIntonat NoctePack would respect andcelebratehis ascension as alpha. Only Malik stood in the way of his own success.

Still, I didn’t make the mistake of bringing it up to him again.

“General!” Gio called, jogging to catch up to where Malik and I trekked, hand-in-hand, from the training yard to our cottage. “I’ve just received word from Roman that he’d like us to leave for the patrol of the outlying territories tonight.”

Malik and I stiffened, my heart thundering to a halt. We turned to face Gio, who’d gone above and beyond in his new role as Malik’s assistant.

Tonight?I questioned for Malik alone, my grip on his hand tightening.I thought we were leaving next week? I promised Estelle I’d be here for the pack’s War Trial this weekend.

The War Trial was a bi-annual event held to allow warriors and their leadership the chance to demonstrate their fighting abilities. Each squad split into separate teams and fought in a simulated battle until only one team emerged victorious. My home pack never partook in anything so needlessly violent, but it was a pivotal part ofIntonat Nocteculture.

According to Estelle, each War Trial saw multiple casualtiesandcountlessinjuries, and healers were in extremely high demand.

Weare,Malik promised me, placing his hand on the small of my back. He addressed Gio next, opening up his mental pathways to allow me to listen to their conversation.We’re leaving after the War Trial. What reason does Roman have to move up our departure?

Gio skidded to a stop, his chest heaving as if he sprinted all the way from the pack house. “He has reason to believe one of the newly acquired territories is plotting to withdraw fromIntonat Noctecontrol.”

Malik’s brow furrowed, a frown crossing his features.I’ve heard nothing of the sort.

“It’s new information.”Gio struggled to catch his breath and shrugged a shoulder. “That’s all I know. He said to prepare to depart immediately. He’ll be joining us on the journey, just in case the reports hold any truth.”

I blinked.Roman will be joining us?

Malik said that Roman hasneverleft the center ofIntonat Nocteterritory for something as trivial as the quarterly patrol before. Hells, he didn’t even leave for an actual war! He was choosingnowto become an involved alpha?

One look at Malik told me that he thought the same thing. My mate’s nostrils flared, clear discontent etched in his frown. He nodded once at Gio.Fine. We’ll prepare to leave tonight. Will you tell Roman?

Gio hurried away, leaving Malik and I alone once more.

Trouble squeezed at my gut, and I chewed on my bottom lip. Goddess, this change of events wasn’t ideal, but it couldn’t be helped. “I’ll need to go tell Estelle that we’re leaving tonight. She’ll have to find someone to take my shifts for the War Trials?—”

You’re not coming with us, little dove,Malik interrupted me, stepping in front of me until he eclipsed the world behind him.

My mouth fell open. “What?Why?”

Roman’s coming with us for a reason. My guess is that reason has to do withyou,Aria.I felt his anger simmering through our bond, the intensity of it scalding.The further away you are from him, the better.

“But I’ll be withyou,” I protested, crossing my arms against my chest. “There’s no safer place for me than by your side.”