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Connor's Pov

Aria stirred under the soft blanket,  her face pale, her body trembling slightly. She woke up slowly, her eyes scanning the room until they landed on me sitting near the fire. I shifted closer to her, with so much concern. I probably was the one she needed to see closer to her at the moment. 

“How are you feeling?” I asked softly with a cautious voice.  

Her expression became so hardened the moment she saw me, her eyes rolled and she moved away. She scoffed and created a deliberate distance between us. “Stay away from me,” she uttered with bitterness in her voice and I felt bad. 

“Aria…”  

She reached for the knife lying by her side, gripping it tightly as though it was her only shield. “I mean it, Connor. Don’t come any closer or else I'll kill you. You know me too well to not listen. One more move and I won't hesitate to use this knife.” 

Her voice was so fierce and the sincerity in her voice only made me know she meant every word she said, but still, her hand trembled. I raised my hands slowly, signaling that I wouldn’t move closer.  

I didn't expect the next move to be so perfect when it came to Tiara walking in. Aria became so soft immediately she did. Her hands dropped the shivers and her eyes turned towards Tiara who walked in with so much aura. 

“Aria, calm down,” she said, her voice steady and soothing.  

To my surprise, Aria lowered the knife. She didn’t completely relax, but her shoulders softened, and the tension in her face eased. I watched in silence, wondering how Tiara managed to earn Aria’s trust so easily when mine had been shattered.  It was such a devastating outcome and I didn't like it. How would my Luna lose trust in me? We should be able to talk to each other. 

I moved to the edge of the bed, sitting cautiously. “Aria, calm down. We need to talk…”  

“Why, why should I listen to you?” she interrupted, her voice breaking. “So you can brainwash me again, and I'll believe you weren't cheating on me? Tell me, Connor. How many times do I have to be strong for our relationship?”  

Her words hit me so hard and it was more painful than the punches I suffered from Noah. And I needed to fix the mess I was in. I'd hate to lose Aria once again. “I promise I wasn't doing anything wrong, Aria. Why would you say that?”  

“You kissed Sofia,” she spat, her eyes narrowing. “You didn’t even bother looking for me, and you were busy kissing your sweet childhood friend. Do you think I'm stupid!?”  

I opened my mouth to defend myself, but she wasn’t done. “If it weren’t for Tiara, I’d be dead. Do you even care about us? About Valerian? I spent one fucking week away from the pack, away from my life in the place of torture from the one I thought was my friend and you were also here cheating on me. Do you really have anything to explain?”  

“Aria, that’s not true,” I said firmly, leaning forward slightly. “Sofia kissed me. I didn’t kiss her.”  

She scoffed, turning her face away. “You think that makes it better? What took you so long to find me?”  

I knew it wasn't just the kiss I had with Sofia. She was angry, angry that I left her behind for so long. Angry that I was comfortable leaving her to Noah's mercy. If only she knew how pained I was when she was far away from me. 

“Aria, please listen to me…” I tried to talk but all to no avail. It was useless, as far as Tiara was there. 
 I stood up abruptly and gestured for Tiara to follow me out of the room.  She was the cause of everything. I needed to make things right. 

Once we were alone in the corridor, I turned to her, my frustration bubbling over. “How did you even manage to get to her?” I demanded. “You weren’t there when I found her.”  

Tiara crossed her arms, her expression calm but guarded. “I connected with her,” she said simply.  

I frowned. “What do you mean?”  

“She was too weak to reach you,” Tiara explained. “So I reached out to her through the bond she has with me. She trusts me, Connor. That’s how I was able to guide you to her.”  

Her words made sense, but they didn’t sit right with me. “You expect me to just thank you for that?”  

Tiara raised an eyebrow. “It’s the least you could do. You’re welcome, by the way.”  

I nodded, “Fine. Thank you.”  
Switching topics, I said, “Sofia’s gone again. Liam’s searching for her, but if you could place a location spell…”  

Tiara interrupted me with a laugh, shaking her head. “Are you really this dense, Connor? I’m cursed. I can’t do anything like that until I find a cure.”  

Her tone was biting, but her words stung because they were true. Still, I couldn't figure out how she could be so powerful and still powerless. We should be able to differentiate between a witch or a powerful beta. I clenched my jaw, trying to suppress my frustration. “What about Noah? He’s dead, completely gone.”  

Tiara’s expression darkened slightly. “Good,” she said, her voice cold. “He deserved worse.”  

A few moments later, Aria emerged from the room, her steps were shaky but determined. “Where’s Val?” she asked, her voice tinged with panic.  

Tiara stepped forward before I could answer. “I’ll take you to him,” she said, giving me a quick glance that clearly said, “Stay out of it.”  

I stayed back as Tiara led her to Valerian. My hands instinctively moved to scratch my head, a habit I’d picked up when I didn’t know what to do.  

When they reached Valerian, Aria’s reaction broke something in me. She fell to her knees beside him, her hands gently brushing over the bandages that covered his small body. Tears streamed down her face as she pulled him close, whispering softly.  

“Thank you,” she said to Tiara through her tears. “Thank you for saving him.”  

Tiara hugged her, offering comfort I wished I could provide.  I saved my son, I saved her, why was she giving Tiara the credits. 

I stood at a distance, my hands balling into fists. I wanted to be the one Aria turned to, the one she trusted, but I’d failed her too many times.  

Once Aria was calm, I approached Tiara again. “How did you escape?” I asked, needing to understand.  

Tiara’s gaze was sharp, and her tone was blunt. “I fought my way out, Connor. Noah’s guards weren’t as loyal as they seemed.”  

“Why didn’t you tell me sooner?” I pressed.  

“Because you were too busy chasing ghosts, you wouldn't even have gotten her if not for my mindlink” she shot back.  

I didn't imagine I was doing the wrong thing all along, and I failed to admit I came late indeed. Aria had every right to be angry with me