Aria’s POV
I glanced at my cellphone and recognized the caller. It was a call from the hospital. I had gotten the front desk number to keep in touch and get updates about Peter.
"Ms. Darvin, Mr. Clarke is awake."
My heart lurched.
Peter was awake.
I forced my legs to move faster.
By the ti I reached the hospital, my breath was shaky but my resolve held.
Peter was propped up in bed, a bowl of soup in front of him, a nurse hovering nearby. The IV line trailed from his arm.
"You’re here."
The second he saw , his guarded eyes softened, brightened even.
Like he was relieved, like I was soone worth being relieved about.
"How’s he doing?" I asked the nurse, trying to muster a smile.
"He’s recovering well. A few more days of observation and he can be discharged."
She took the empty bowl from Peter and slipped out, leaving a quiet stillness behind her.
I sank into the chair beside him and let out a breath. Relief loosened the tension in my shoulders.
"And you?" I asked softly. "Any discomfort?"
He grinned, boyish and warm. "Nah, I’m good. Didn’t the nurse just say? I’ll be out of here in no ti."
I smiled. My wolf eased a little.
But after that, the silence crept in, thick and awkward.
I finally spoke.
"I’m sorry."
My voice was barely a whisper, weighed down by guilt that pressed against my chest like a stone. I lowered my head.
If he hadn’t taken in...
If I hadn’t dragged him into my ss...
Maybe he’d never have ended up on Nathan’s radar at all.
Peter blinked, startled. "Aria, this isn’t your fault."
But it was.
Everything felt like my fault.
I shook my head, unable to accept his comfort. The more I tried to protect people, the more they got hurt.
His expression softened, his brows knitting with concern.
"You’ve been through enough. Stop carrying the world on your shoulders. You’re the one who’s been wronged."
His words knocked gently at the locked door of my heart, the door I’d bolted shut ever since prison. Ever since those nights when survival ant hiding my fear, hiding my softness, hiding .
Since getting out, I’d lived like a hedgehog whose spines were out, guarding every inch of myself.
Facing Nathan, facing Sophia, facing Richard...
I wore a shell of coldness the sa way wolves mask fear with bared teeth.
Because every move I made, every lie I told, every choice—was to protect myself
and Lana.
"I’ll be fine," Peter continued. "The house went to auction with a good starting bid, I’ve got savings, and the law firm is still running. Don’t worry."
But instead of comfort, his reassurance made my eyes burn.
Tears blurred my vision before I could stop them.
"I need to go check on Lana," I murmured, rising quickly.
A flicker of worry crossed his face. "Go, go. I’m fine here."
I hesitated, just long enough to et his eyes, to make sure the reassurance wasn’t forced. Then, I turned and walked out of the ward, my wolf pacing anxiously inside .
By the ti I got ho, Kara had just finished preparing a bottle for Lana.
Her scent filled the small space, wrapping around like a reminder of safety I didn’t deserve.
"Let take her," I said before she could turn.
My legs still ached faintly, my muscles trembling from the long day, but the mont my eyes landed on Lana, all the pain scattered like mist under sunlight.
My wolf uncurled inside , her tail swishing gently. Our pup... She’s safe.
Kara’s breath hitched when she saw my face, no doubt I looked as worn as I felt, but when she caught the way my eyes lit up, she held back her concern and simply handed Lana over.
The second my daughter’s small, warm weight settled into my arms, a trembling breath escaped .
Her scent cald every storm inside my chest.
I didn’t even realize how tightly I was holding her until her little fingers curled around my neck, gripping with pure, innocent joy.
"Hey, baby," I whispered, pressing my forehead to hers.
My wolf nuzzled forward too, protective and aching.
We keep her safe. Whatever it takes.
Kara watched us, her smile softening. The mont of peace must’ve ward her as much as it steadied .
"Alright," she said gently, reaching out, "let hold Lana for a bit. You need a break."
Lana blinked twice like she understood and stretched her arms toward Kara.
I almost laughed. This little wolf pup already had instincts sharper than mine.
I didn’t protest; I couldn’t.
There were things I needed to do.
"Kara, could you watch Lana a little longer?" I asked, forcing steadiness into my voice.
Kara squinted at , clearly sensing the determination pulsing beneath my calm exterior, but she nodded firmly. "Of course, You got it."
I slipped into the bedroom.
Moving on autopilot, I drifted between the small rooms, gathering clothes, diapers, the ergency stash of cash I kept hidden, Lana’s blankets—anything we needed to survive.
Then I dragged out the old suitcase that had followed like a loyal shadow through every hardship.
The zipper’s hiss cut through the quiet, and Kara’s voice floated from the doorway.
"What are you up to, girl?"
Her tone held both curiosity and concern.
"We’ve been imposing on people for too long," I said quietly, folding the last of Lana’s things.
I hated feeling like a burden, hated being cornered, even by kindness.
Kara frowned. The guesthouse had spare rooms. We barely occupied a corner. But she understood, she always did.
"Have you found a place to stay?" she asked while feeding Lana.
"I found a few live-in jobs online," I replied, my voice steady. "I’ll take Lana with to check them out."
Her brows creased, but she didn’t argue.
She knew once I made up my mind, not even a pack of alphas could move .
Soon the suitcase was full, everything folded neatly like I was trying to impose order on the chaos of my life.
I cleaned the room until every surface glead—my way of saying thank you, and goodbye to Peter.
When I stood in the doorway and took one last look, a strange ache tugged at my chest.
Then I closed the door.
Once again... I was holess.
But I would rather sleep on the streets with my pup in my arms than drag anyone into this ss.
A lone wolf protects her own, nothing more.
"Kara, let walk you to the bus stop," I offered.
We walked together. She fussed over like a worried hen, giving advice, warnings, reminders.
I nodded at everything, grateful for her concern, though my wolf was already focused on survival, on planning the next steps.
After she boarded the bus, I stood there for a long mont, watching it pull away.
Then I turned.
My next stop: the Hemsworth Group Private Hospital.
Peter had helped too much already. I wouldn’t let him carry more of my burdens. If he knew I was leaving, he’d try to stop . He’d try to help. And I couldn’t, infact, wouldn’t, let him pay any more prices on my behalf.
At the reception desk, I set down the guesthouse keys.
"Please give these to Mr. Clarke," I said softly, tightening my hold on Lana.
The nurse nodded.
And just like that, with my daughter in my arms and nothing but uncertainty ahead of us, I walked out.
I trudged down the street, my shoulders heavy with defeat, the weight of the world pressing between my shoulder blades like an old wound that never healed.
A few minutes later, my phone buzzed in my pocket relentlessly.
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