Aria followed Ronan through the fortress corridors, her mind spinning, her pulse fluttering with every throb of her mark. The walls felt taller tonight. The shadows deeper. The whispers sharper.
Every step she took seemed to echo with the stranger's warning:
"Do not run from who you are."
But Aria wasn't running.
She was stumbling, blind, through a world she didn't understand — and each new truth threatened to break her.
Ronan paused outside her chamber door, his expression softening when he looked at her.
"You need rest," he said quietly.
Aria held her cloak tighter. "Rest feels impossible right now."
He hesitated… then stepped closer, his voice lower. "You're overwhelmed. Anyone would be."
Aria swallowed hard. "Does your pack… does everyone blame me?"
"No," Ronan said firmly. "They fear prophecy. Not you."
"Lyra certainly fears me," Aria muttered.
Ronan sighed. "That's… complicated."
"Because she thought she'd be your mate?" Aria asked softly.
Ronan went still — not tense, not defensive.
Just still.
"Yes," he said finally. "But fate had other plans."
Aria bit her lip. "Plans neither of us agreed to."
Something flickered in Ronan's eyes — something like sadness. Or acceptance. Or maybe both.
"No one chooses the bond," he murmured. "But we can choose how we face it."
Aria opened her mouth to respond, but a sudden sharp pulse shot through her wrist —
thump—THROB.
Aria gasped, stumbling. "Ronan—!"
He caught her instantly, arms steady around her, pulling her against him before she could fall.
"Easy," he said, voice tight. "What is it? The mark?"
"It burns—" she choked. "No— not burning — more like… pulling."
Ronan lifted her wrist gently. The glow beneath her skin brightened, swirling faintly like liquid moonlight.
His jaw tightened. "The second phase is starting."
Aria's breath caught. "Already? But you said—"
"I know," he said. "It's happening faster than it should."
Fear rushed through her.
"The first phase was the mark forming," Ronan explained, guiding her into her room and closing the door behind them. "The second phase is connection."
"Connection?" Aria whispered. "To what?"
Ronan hesitated.
"To me."
Her heart slammed against her ribs.
"The bond tries to stabilize during this phase," he said. "It pulls you toward your mate — physically, emotionally, energetically."
Aria backed up slightly. "So… this pain is the bond trying to complete itself?"
"Yes," Ronan admitted. "But you're not ready. Your body could break under the full force."
Aria's breathing quickened. "Then what do we do?"
Ronan stepped closer — not touching her, but near enough that she felt his heat.
"We resist," he said. "Both of us. We hold it back until your Moonborn blood settles."
"But what if we can't?" she whispered.
Ronan's eyes softened. "Then we don't let the bond see fear. Bonds are like storms — they grow stronger when the host weakens."
Aria rubbed her wrist, trembling. "I feel like I'm losing control."
"You're not," Ronan said, voice steady. "You're awakening."
Another pulse shot through her — stronger this time — and Aria cried out, doubling over.
Ronan rushed forward, catching her again.
Her vision blurred, her breath shallow, her knees weak.
"Aria—look at me," he urged.
She forced her eyes open.
Ronan cupped her face gently, tilting it upward.
"You are not alone," he said. "Do you hear me?"
She nodded shakily.
His thumb brushed her cheekbone — not intimate, but grounding, firm, reassuring.
"Good," he whispered. "Stay with me. Don't let the pain control you."
Aria clung to his forearm as another pulse vibrated through her arm. "It's too much—"
"I know," he murmured. "Hang on."
But the next wave hit harder — light burst from her wrist, illuminating the room in silver.
Ronan shielded her instinctively, pulling her against him as if trying to absorb the pain himself.
"It's okay," he said softly. "Let it pass."
Aria squeezed her eyes shut, her body trembling violently.
And then—
Everything stopped.
The light dimmed.
The pain faded.
Silence filled the room.
Aria sagged into Ronan's arms, panting.
He held her carefully, not letting her fall.
"Is it over?" she whispered.
"For now," he said. "The second phase has begun."
Aria's legs shook. "How many more pulses like that will there be?"
Ronan looked away. "I don't know."
"Ronan—"
"It varies," he said quietly. "Some Moonborn awaken slowly. Others… violently."
Aria's stomach twisted.
"Am I… in danger?"
Ronan met her eyes.
"Yes," he said honestly. "But I will be with you through every phase."
Her breath hitched.
"Come," he murmured, guiding her to sit on the edge of the bed. "I'll get you water."
As he crossed the room, Aria pressed a hand over her chest, trying to steady her breathing.
Her mark glowed faintly — but differently now. Softer. Warmer.
Alive.
When Ronan returned, she sipped water shakily.
"Thank you," she whispered.
He sat beside her. "Tell me what you felt."
Aria closed her eyes. "It felt like… a voice calling me. Like something pulling me toward it."
Ronan exhaled slowly. "That's the bond. It's trying to merge our energies."
Aria stiffened. "Merge?"
Ronan nodded. "It links your heartbeat to mine. Your breath. Your emotions."
"But that doesn't sound—"
"Safe?" Ronan finished for her. "It's not. Not until your Moonborn blood strengthens."
Aria leaned forward, elbows on her knees. "If the bond completes now… what happens to me?"
Ronan hesitated — and that hesitation terrified her.
"Tell me," she pleaded.
He spoke softly.
"Your body may not survive the energy surge."
Aria felt cold all over.
"But I won't let that happen," Ronan said quickly, taking her hands. "I promise you, Aria. I won't let the bond seal until you're ready."
She nodded, blinking tears away.
A knock echoed through the room.
Ronan stiffened. "Stay here."
He opened the door a crack.
Lyra stood outside.
Of course.
"We need to speak," Lyra said sharply. "Now."
"This is not the time," Ronan growled.
"It is the time," Lyra insisted. "The council has reached a decision about the girl."
Aria's heart stopped.
"What decision?" Ronan demanded.
Lyra's eyes flickered with something cruel.
"She must be isolated."
Aria inhaled sharply. "What?"
"You are destabilizing the pack," Lyra said coldly. "Your awakening is dangerous."
"She stays with me," Ronan snapped. "End of discussion."
Lyra glared at him. "The council outranks even you in matters of pack safety."
Ronan's voice became lethal. "Try to take her from me."
Lyra lifted her chin. "Then she will join the council chamber at dawn. For questioning. For restriction. For protection — from herself."
Aria paled.
Ronan slammed the door in Lyra's face.
He turned back to Aria, breathing hard.
"They won't take you," he said fiercely. "Not while I live."
Aria shook her head, terrified. "Ronan — what are we going to do?"
Ronan knelt in front of her, taking both her hands in his.
"We're going to fight fate," he whispered. "Together."
Another pulse flickered beneath Aria's skin.
The second phase had only just begun.
And already… everything was slipping into chaos.