69

69
Aria's P.O.V.

The pack had endured so much recently, with Kane’s looming threat forcing everyone to stay on edge. But as I walked through the forest, the branches casting soft shadows across the ground, I realized that even nature had finally begun to breathe again. The pack needed a break—and so did I.

I spotted Carden up ahead, his shoulders tense as he led a group of warriors through another relentless training session. His focus was intense, his gaze fixed on each movement and every flaw, as though tightening every guard would somehow erase Kane’s shadow from our lives.

As I approached, he noticed me and signaled to the warriors to take a short break. I could see the relief on their faces as they stepped aside, eagerly catching their breath. Carden wiped the sweat from his forehead, giving me a small, questioning nod as I drew closer.

“Carden,” I began, my voice steady. “We need to talk about the patrols. You’ve had the pack stretched to their limits for weeks. It’s time to ease up.”

His eyes narrowed slightly, and I could see the resistance there. “Aria, we can’t risk lowering our guard. Kane could still be out there, watching, waiting for us to let down our defenses.”

I took a breath, holding his gaze firmly. “And if you push this pack any further, there won’t be anything left to defend, Carden. People are exhausted, drained. If we don’t allow them to recover, they won’t be able to defend themselves, let alone anyone else.”

He stared at me, his jaw clenching as he weighed my words. I knew he understood the logic, but he was too used to carrying the weight of the pack on his shoulders alone. He’d been like this for as long as I’d known him, always pushing himself and everyone else to their breaking point in the name of safety.

“I get it, Aria,” he said, his tone slightly softened. “But I can’t just assume Kane is gone for good. You know how he operates—he waits for moments like this, when we start to feel safe, to strike.”

I crossed my arms, standing firm. “Carden, I’m not asking. I’m telling you to stop running this pack ragged. You have to trust that we’re safe enough to rest, that it’s okay to let go of the reins a little. You’re not helping anyone by ignoring reality.”

His eyes flashed with frustration, but he held his tongue, and I could tell he was fighting the urge to argue. “And what if I’m wrong, Aria?” he demanded. “What if Kane really is out there? If he attacks and we’re not ready, it’s on me.”

“No,” I said, my voice unwavering. “It’s on both of us. We’re in this together, and I’m telling you—we need to give everyone a chance to breathe. We’ve done everything possible to protect this pack. Kane isn’t worth tearing ourselves apart.”

He ran a hand through his hair, exhaling sharply. “I don’t want to let my guard down. I don’t know if I can.”

“Well, you’ll have to learn,” I replied firmly. “Because whether or not Kane is out there, pushing yourself and everyone else like this is a mistake. So, from now on, cut back the patrols. Give everyone—including yourself—a break. That’s an order.”

The surprise on his face was unmistakable, and I could see his jaw tighten, his hands clenching into fists. He didn’t like being told what to do—especially by me. But I wasn’t about to back down, not on this. For once, I was setting the boundaries, drawing a line that he needed to respect.

After a moment, he let out a breath, his shoulders slumping slightly. “Alright,” he said reluctantly. “But if there’s any sign of danger, we go back to full patrol.”

“That’s fair,” I conceded, though my voice remained firm. “But until then, this pack deserves some peace.”

A muscle in his jaw twitched, but he nodded, finally giving in. “Understood.”

I held his gaze for a moment, letting the silence settle between us. There was so much more I wanted to say, things I couldn’t allow myself to say—not now, not after everything we had agreed. The truth was, I wasn’t just setting boundaries for the pack’s sake. I was setting them for myself, for both of us. Because I couldn’t keep letting our feelings get in the way.

“Thank you, Carden,” I said, my tone softening just a little. “For trusting me on this.”

He nodded, his eyes searching mine. “I do trust you, Aria. Always have.”

There was a quiet intensity in his gaze, something that sent a shiver down my spine. I forced myself to look away, to focus on the task at hand. I couldn’t afford to let myself get swept up in this again, not after all we’d been through.

“Good,” I said, stepping back to put some distance between us. “Now, let’s give everyone the chance to rest they’ve earned.”

With that, I turned and walked away, leaving him standing there. I could feel his gaze on my back, and I knew that this wasn’t the end of our conversation—just a temporary truce. But for now, it was enough.

\---

The following days were noticeably quieter. The patrols had been reduced, and training sessions were shorter and less intense. The pack had a chance to breathe, to recover from the relentless pace Carden had set, and the tension in the air began to ease.

I threw myself into my duties, keeping myself busy, determined not to let my thoughts drift back to Carden. Every time I saw him, every time I caught a glimpse of that look in his eyes, it was a reminder of the feelings I was trying so hard to ignore.

But it wasn’t easy. Avoiding him completely was impossible, and there were moments—brief, fleeting moments—when our paths crossed, and the weight of everything unsaid hung between us like a shadow.

One afternoon, I was in the pack house, going over some patrol schedules, when I heard footsteps behind me. I turned, and there he was, his gaze locking onto mine with that same intensity I’d tried to avoid.

“Aria,” he said, his voice low, as though he were trying to be careful with his words. “Can we talk?”

I took a steadying breath, nodding. “Of course. What’s on your mind?”

He hesitated, glancing around to make sure no one else was within earshot. “I just wanted to thank you. For pushing me to ease up on the pack. It’s… it’s been good for everyone. You were right.”

A small, satisfied smile tugged at the corners of my lips. “I know I was. Sometimes it takes a different perspective to see what’s best.”

He chuckled softly, nodding. “Guess I needed that reminder. I’m too used to carrying everything myself.”

“I get that,” I replied, my tone softening. “But you’re not alone, Carden. You have a pack that’s willing to stand by you, to carry the weight with you. You just have to let them.”

He looked down, a faint smile on his lips. “Sometimes, that’s harder than it sounds.”

“Then start small,” I suggested, my voice gentle but firm. “Let yourself trust that things will be okay, even if you’re not always in control. You’ve earned that.”

For a moment, he just looked at me, his expression unreadable. I could see the struggle in his eyes, the tension between the need to protect and the desire to let go. It was a battle I knew well because it was one I was fighting too.

“Thank you, Aria,” he said finally, his voice barely above a whisper. “I don’t know what I’d do without you.”

His words sent a pang through my chest, and I felt my resolve waver. But I couldn’t let myself get pulled back in. I had to keep the boundaries we’d set, had to protect myself from getting too close.

“You’d be fine,” I replied, my tone light but my eyes serious. “You’re stronger than you realize, Carden. You don’t need me to tell you that.”

He smiled, but there was a sadness in it, a hint of something deeper that he wasn’t saying. “Maybe. But it doesn’t make me any less grateful for you.”

The sincerity in his words was almost too much, and I forced myself to look away, focusing on the papers in front of me. “Well, I’m here as long as the pack needs me,” I said, trying to keep my voice steady. “But we both know what we agreed on. No distractions, remember?”

He nodded, his expression resigned but understanding. “Yeah. I remember.”

The silence between us was thick, heavy with everything we weren’t saying, but I knew it was for the best. We had made a decision, and we had to stick to it, no matter how hard it was.

After a moment, he cleared his throat, stepping back. “I should go. There’s still a lot to take care of.”

“Right,” I said, keeping my focus on the papers, not daring to look up. “I’ll see you around, Carden.”

He hesitated, as if he wanted to say something more, but then he turned and walked away, leaving me alone with the quiet and the  overwhelming weight of our decision.