What Remains Unsaid
Chapter 91
Lucien’s eyes snapped open, and he blinked up at her, his gaze disoriented and unfocused at first, then narrowing with recognition. “Aria…”he rasped.
Aria gasped. “I’m here,” she said quickly. “You’re safe.”
“You're here…” he repeated, his voice hoarse and barely audible.
“I never left,” she murmured.
He tried to sit up, but his strength failed him almost immediately. Aria pressed a hand to his chest. “Don’t move. You’re not fully healed.”
“And you shouldn’t still be worrying.” His tone was soft, teasing, but his hand trembled slightly when he reached for the cup of water beside the bed. Aria took it and held it for him, meeting his gaze she replied, “You were half-dead.”
Lucien’s mouth curved faintly. “You’ve been saying that since the night you dragged me out of the forest.”
“Still am,” he murmured, his voice softer now. “But at least I woke up to you.”
Her heart clenched. “Don’t…” she began, but the words faltered in her throat.
Lucien caught her wrist weakly. “I mean it,” he replied, meeting her eyes briefly before drinking.
After he drank, silence settled between them. “How long have I been out?” he asked, breaking it.
“Two days,” she replied. “Ryn said your fever broke at dawn.”
Lucien’s eyes drifted toward the window. “Two days. That’s long enough for weird rumours to have spread.”
“They already have,” Aria replied. “Half the pack thinks I brought misfortune back with me. The other half are praying that I don't smite them down with lightning.”
Lucien’s jaw flexed. “You didn’t. And it’s normal that they're scared, especially since we all treated you badly and you're not a normal wolf.”
“I know.” Her voice softened. “They need someone to blame and fear, and I'm the perfect candidate. I understand that perfectly.”
He closed his eyes briefly. “Ryn will try to keep things calm though, diffuse any tension so they don't riot or do something worse.”
She hummed, not answering him. He was about to speak when the door creaked open behind them. Kael stepped in, his wary gaze moving quickly from Aria to Lucien. “He’s awake,” he said simply when he spotted Lucien. His expression was unreadable, but there was relief under the usual brooding stare.
Lucien tried to sit up again, gritting his teeth against the effort. “You still have that heartbroken look, Kael.”
Kael’s lips twitched faintly. “And you still have terrible timing.”
Lucien managed a rough laugh that turned into a cough. Aria reached for the cup beside his bed and helped him drink. When the cup was empty, and his breathing steadied. Lucien smirked faintly. “Still hovering like a shadow, I see.”
“Someone has to,” Kael replied dryly, “You’ve got a pack full of wolves who’d slit her throat the moment you blink.”
Lucien’s smile faded. “Not all.”
Kael scoffed. “No. Just most.”
Lucien’s brow furrowed but he dropped the topic,“What happened to the scouts?” he asked.
Kael’s tone darkened. “Gone. Ryn’s people say they’ve been quiet since we passed the gates. No sign of them near the borders.”
Lucien frowned. “Quiet doesn’t mean gone.”
Aria nodded. “They stopped when we reached the walls. Like something held them back, stopping them from coming in.”
Lucien’s gaze flicked to Aria. “You think Damien sent them?”
She hesitated. “Maybe. Or maybe they’re watching to see what we do next.”
The tension thickened again, until a knock broke it once more. The door opened, and Beta Ryn stepped inside. His face was grim, his eyes darted to his Alpha. “How are you holding up?”
“Standing will be a challenge,” Lucien admitted. “But I’ll manage.”
Ryn nodded once. “Good, because the Council sent a messenger. They're convening and they want a meeting this afternoon.”
Lucien and Kael spoke at the same time.
“Already?”
“On what grounds?”
“They’ve heard the reports,” Ryn replied. “They don’t like uncertainty,” Kael said. “And you’re like an unanswered question.”
Lucien’s eyes met hers. “You don’t have to go.”
“Yes, I do,” she said. “If I hide behind your name, they’ll take it as cowardice.”
Kael leaned against the wall, arms crossed. “Then we go in together.”
Ryn’s gaze shifted between them. “The Council will decide who comes. They want to question her.” His eyes landed on Aria.
Aria straightened, her voice cool. “Then let them.”
Lucien started to sit up again, but pain lanced across his face. “No,” he hissed. “She’s not ready. You tell them I’ll speak first.”
Ryn shook his head slowly. “No. If you walk into that hall, they’ll see a recovering Alpha protecting his mate. They’ll dismiss anything she says as emotion.” He looked at Lucien, hesitating before speaking, “You know how this works. They’ll hear her before anyone else.”
Aria hesitated. “And if they try to turn it into a trial?”
“Then speak plainly,” Ryn replied. “They respect clarity more than power.”
Kael took a step forward. “If you think we’ll just let her walk in there alone…”
Aria cut him off. “I’m not walking in alone.”
Her gaze was steady, her posture unshakable. “I’ve faced worse, Kael. I'm sure I can handle a room full of old werewolves.”
Lucien’s hand found hers, his grip weak but insistent. “Be careful with them, don't show any emotion,” he said quietly. “They’ll want to prode you until you crack.”
Aria’s expression softened, just a little. “I know.”
Kael cleared his throat, breaking the moment. “I’ll see that she’s escorted safely.”
Ryn inclined his head toward the hall. “They’re waiting.”
Aria breathed once, steadying herself, then turned toward the door.
Behind her, Lucien whispered her name, too faint for anyone else to hear. “Aria…”
She didn’t turn back.