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ARIA

O ver 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 entire Intonat Nocte territory, he did not dare to interfere with us.

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 spend hours 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 the Intonat Nocte continued 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 the Intonat Nocte Pack would respect and celebrate his 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 of Intonat Nocte culture.

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

We are, 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 from Intonat Nocte control.”

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 has never left the center of Intonat Nocte territory for something as trivial as the quarterly patrol before. Hells, he didn’t even leave for an actual war! He was choosing now to 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 with you, 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 with you, ” I protested, crossing my arms against my chest. “There’s no safer place for me than by your side.”

He sighed. Usually I’d agree. But I’d rather spend a few days apart than make you endure the entire trip in close proximity to him. You’ll be safer and happier here.

I frowned, shifting away from him when he reached out to cradle my cheek with his palm. “I highly doubt that.”

Two lines formed between Malik’s brow at my refusal, frustration and guilt clouding his good eye. I’ll have Gio stay behind. He won’t leave your side from morning to night. He’s not much of a fighter, but I trust him. Emerson, too. And you’ll be with Estelle all weekend.

I hated this. I hated that Malik made this decision without consulting me. Even the idea of spending ten minutes apart made my heart ache, especially after weeks of bliss by his side. I felt more connected than ever. Like he’d become a part of my body, and separation would be akin to death.

I think this is a mistake, I whispered into our bond, shaking my head and avoiding his gaze. My throat felt too tight to speak out loud.

He captured my chin between his thumb and forefinger, the space between our bodies disappearing as he forced me to look up at him. I’ll be back before you know it. Please… Do this for me.

I swallowed, unable to look away from him not matter how much I tried. If you’re right and Roman wanted to join the trip to get close to me, he’ll be furious when he finds out I’m not going .

We’re not going to tell him. Not until the last possible moment. His thumb trailed up to trace the corner of my lips, a tender, devoted touch that slowly melted away my anger. If he changes his mind about joining the patrol when he discovers it, we’ll know he was up to something.

“Then I’ll be able to go with you?” I prompted, sliding my hands up the ridges of his abdomen.

Yes, he chuckled, and the delicious sound filled my head and sent shivers down my spine. Then you’ll come with me, little dove.

I dared a smile. “How long do you think we have before you leave?”

He shrugged a massive shoulder. A few hours, at least.

Good, I hummed, standing on my tiptoes to kiss him. His lips parted, accepting. We’ll need every single one of them if we’re about to spend a week apart.