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MALIK

T he sound of Roman’s death followed me away from the clearing, through the doors to the pack house and into the nearest empty room.

When I first gave the order, he fought his slaughter. Eventually, his snarls transformed into howls, which turned into yelps and whimpers. The noise of gurgling blood and tearing flesh continued long after Roman’s cries ceased.

I couldn’t bring myself to care.

Whatever loyalty—whatever devotion— I’d felt for my kin disappeared the moment he turned on me. The moment he decided I’d become a liability and his rule would be more secure if he killed me. The moment he decided he wanted my mate for himself.

That was Roman’s downfall.

I would’ve followed him to my dying breath. Not because I loved him or even liked him, but because I’d given him my word. Because loyalty meant something to me.

It meant nothing to him .

I would not mourn my treacherous brother. I’d wipe the remnants of him from my life—from my pack. I’d reverse the darkness he’d instilled over the world and become the alpha he never could’ve been. His name—his words, his legacy—would disappear.

“Malik?”

Aria’s voice reached into the depths of my frenzied mind, coaxing me from the darkness that had shrouded my soul from the moment I woke up months ago.

My eyes clamped tight, and I took a deep, shuddering breath before opening them again. I trembled, my control teetering on a precarious edge. With another deep breath, I grounded myself in reality.

Aria was here. I held her in my arms. My mate. My pregnant mate.

Tears streamed down her cheeks. More welled in her bright eyes. Dark circles marred the space beneath them, and she looked skinnier despite the pup in her belly.

Goddess, I’d nearly shattered upon hearing Roman’s haughty claim that Aria carried his child.

Until that moment, I’d been biding my time and waiting for the perfect moment to levy my challenge.

Then, Aria confirmed it, and I exploded.

The careful walls I’d constructed between our bond fell, and every ounce of agony unleashed itself into the cord that tethered my soul to hers.

The residue of that agony still clung to my heart. It gave birth to panic and fear that, at any moment, I might wake up and Aria would no longer be mine.

That fear overshadowed any control I’d been holding to, and I hauled Aria against me, claiming her lips in a brutal display of possession. She gasped, opening her mouth in silent compliance as if she knew I needed this. Knew I needed to reassure myself that she was here and mine, mine? —

Mine, I growled into our bond, the only thought I could fully comprehend.

Aria wove her delicate fingers into my hair, then slid her hands down my naked chest. Her digits shook as they trailed over the gruesome scars I’d earned in my fight against Roman and his cronies.

Instinct drove my actions. A desperate, primal need to claim her and reunite our souls.

Claws protruded from the ends of my fingernails as I reached for the neckline of her dress and ripped the fabric from top to bottom.

It fell away from her body with featherlight grace.

A soft whimper slipped from Aria’s lips at the sudden exposure, and her arms flew to cover her breasts and swollen stomach.

My eyes flared as I took in the sight of her. If I inhaled deep, I could still smell my scent on her— in her. Though Roman had poisoned my mind with doubt, there was no denying that the pup was mine. Mine.

My pup.

Newfound need swept through me, and I advanced on my little dove.

Gently, I pried her arms away from her body and forced her to reveal herself to me again.

She didn’t resist, slowly allowing her arms to fall to her sides.

Her nipples were hard and pebbled, rosy peaks atop substantial, vein-covered mounds, and goosebumps peppered every inch of her milky skin.

Goddess, I whispered and fell to my knees.

My hands found her stomach, fingers spreading wide to encompass as much of the globe as possible. Awe swelled in my chest, and I leaned forward to brush a kiss just below her navel.

Aria sniffed, and I looked up to see fresh tears spilling from the corners of her eyes. Devastating joy brimmed in her gaze, but it couldn’t hide the fissures of heartbreak lingering beneath.

I pulled back, though my hands still cradled her belly. Aria…

She shook her head, lips trembling. “H-How? I-I-I couldn’t feel you. Our bond… Our bond went silent. B-But you were alive!”

I felt her pain as surely as it was my own. It was. Our souls were one and the same.

I know. I know. I pressed another kiss to her stomach, soothing. And I’m sorry. It was the only way, little dove.

“You let me think,” she hiccuped, “you were dead!”

I had to, I tried explaining, desperation leaking into our bond. I hated every second of it, my love. But I was gravely injured. I needed time to heal and regain my strength without Roman realizing that I lived. He would’ve sent an army to destroy me, and I needed time to prepare to challenge him.

“I wouldn’t have told him!” Aria cried, shaking her head again. “I could’ve come to you. I could have helped?—”

Your pain made it real. And it had. Roman had no inkling that I lived. He truly believed that he’d killed me. Aria… I’m sorry.

My plan worked perfectly, until the moment Roman refused my challenge. I’d underestimated his cowardice.

She bit her lip in an attempt to stifle her sobs, and I tried to comfort her with a brush of warmth down our bond. Aria answered by lowering to her knees, joining me on the ground. I rose up to bridge the distance between us, but she leaned back before I could reunite our lips.

You will never shut me out again, she warned, her words a command I couldn’t have disobeyed if I tried.

I nodded, caressing her red, wet cheeks. Never. I promised, then cemented it with a kiss. Never again.

Another kiss, then another.

Short brushes of our lips morphed into wet, salty kisses that healed every shattered and broken piece of my soul.

Aria crawled into my lap, though her rounded stomach made it difficult, and our bodies strained to remove any gap of space between us.

Seconds bled into minutes, and the world beyond these four walls faded away.

Soon, we tumbled into a heap of skin and desire on the thick rug. We laid on our sides, Aria enveloped against my front as I lifted her leg and sheathed myself so deep inside her body that I could not tell where she ended and I began.

“I love you,” she chanted with every slow, thorough thrust. My lips latched on the mark on her neck, and she broke apart, muscles spasming around me.

Seconds later, I followed her over the edge. Seed poured forth from my tip, seeping from the place where our bodies locked together. Again and again, release barreled through me, reigniting every time I thought I might be finished.

Minutes or hours later, we were a quivering mess. Our kisses became slow and lazy. Our breathing eased, and my swollen base slackened enough that I could’ve pulled out of her. I didn’t dare.

She kissed me over her shoulder one last time, then rested her head on my arm extended beneath her. “We’re having a little girl,” she whispered, nuzzling her nose against the crook of my arm.

My heart skipped. A girl?

She nodded, skating a hand lovingly over her stomach. “I owe her everything. When I thought you were dead, I wanted to join you… She’s the only reason—the only thing that kept me here.”

Fissures spread through my chest at Aria’s heartbreaking admission.

Then I owe our daughter my life. There is nothing for me in this world apart from you, Aria. And now our pup. My hand covered Aria’s, and I silently sent a prayer of thanks to the Moon Goddess for the miracle growing within .

What of the pack? Her words were quiet in my mind. They are yours now, too.

I stiffened.

I’d known for months that I’d return to the Intonat Nocte Pack and challenge Roman. I’d been preparing for months to reclaim my birthright. I cared for the pack. I would protect them and lead them. I’d lead them into a time of prosperity and peace, something they’d known nothing of for years.

But my heart did not beat for the pack.

I would gladly burn this pack to ashes if you wished it, I murmured, the words solemn but true.

I’d run away from my duty. I’d abandon them in a heartbeat if it meant keeping you safe.

I swept my thumb over her smooth skin, where her stomach felt much firmer.

I swore I felt movement within, and my affection swelled. Both of you.

She smiled, lifting her head to place a lingering kiss on my lips again. Then it’s a good thing I don’t wish for you to do that. Her soft chuckle drifted through our bond. You’ll be a wonderful alpha, Malik. The alpha this pack deserves.

I grunted. There’s much that needs to be changed… Beginning with the packs Roman conquered in the last few years.

What will you do with them? Aria wondered, stroking her hand up and down my arm as we embraced.

Release them, I answered. That included her own father’s pack. Should they wish it. I’ll help them rebuild and promise protection in the process.

She hummed. See? You’re already proving yourself worthy of them.

I only care about being worthy of you. I peppered another kiss to her shoulder and rolled onto my back. And our daughter. I want to make her proud. Want to be the father I never had.

She’ll love you, Malik. Aria followed me, gingerly turning until she curled into my side, her head resting on my chest. Just as I love you.

And she did. I felt it as surely as I felt my own heart beat in my chest.

Aria—my beautiful little dove. My mate. My luna.

The woman who waltzed into my life and reignited a sense of purpose. Who touched me despite the scars of my past. Who listened to me when I could not speak. Who helped me find my voice after a lifetime of silence.

Should we go back outside? she murmured, even as she nuzzled deeper into my side. A small smirk played on her lips, and her brows wiggled. I’m sure your pack is eagerly awaiting their new leader.

I chuckled. Let them wait. I’m not done with you yet.

Her squealed laughter as I hauled her body on top of mine mended my soul. Hearing that joyful sound made all the pain I’d experienced throughout my life—the devastation and the loneliness—worth it. I’d do it all again to find her.

The woman who taught me to live again. For her, I would.