Aria’s POV
Aria was slumped over a table in the sa hotel as I was, barely conscious, clutching the little girl protectively against her. Even half-fainted, her wolf instincts were stronger than that of most people I’d ever known.
The little baby whimpered, her big eyes swimming with fear. Aria didn’t react at all.
My pulse spiked. I stepped closer and reached toward her forehead—
I had barely even touch her but heat hit like a blast of fire. She was burning up.
My wolf snarled in alarm.
I straightened instantly, shock tightening my chest. I brushed her hair aside, and when I saw her flushed cheeks and parted lips...
A mory slamd into .
That night over one year ago when I had slept with her for the first and only ti.
My jaw clenched and I pushed the thought away, focusing on the present.
This wasn’t normal fever heat. She’d been drugged.
My wolf bared his teeth.
"Book the presidential suite," I ordered, scooping her into my arms before Collins could blink.
"Hot..." she whimpered weakly against my chest.
My heart lurched.
I kicked open the suite door and laid her on the bed. The noise startled her causing her lashes to flutter. Her gaze found in a dazed haze.
And damn it, my breath caught.
"Hot..." she whispered again, twisting, her body reacting to the drug.
"Aria?" I shook her gently. Her eyes narrowed in annoyance.
Annoyance at despite being half-delirious.
My wolf huffed.
I pressed my palm to her forehead. She lted into the cooling touch, sighing, feeling almost content. Then she moved closer, her body seeking mine instinctively.
My wolf went still.
The drug was strong, a bit too strong. The only natural redy for it was...
My breath thickened. We were married afterall, she was my luna and she was suffering.
Driven by instinct I couldn’t fully control, I leaned in. Her scent washed over , sweet, warm and intoxicating.
"You won’t be hot anymore in a mont," I murmured, my voice rough.
I reached for her collar—
"Moo-mah... hold..."
A tiny voice cut through everything.
I froze.
The little baby blinked up at with the clearest, most innocent eyes I had ever seen. She giggled and reached her tiny arms toward Aria and then toward .
My wolf stilled.
My hand dropped.
I backed away, dragging a hand through my hair in pure frustration. The heat in the room wasn’t just hers, it was mine too, now.
She needed help, real help.
After a short internal war, I grabbed a basin of cold water, soaked a towel, and returned to her side. The little baby watched curiously, chewing her fingers.
I called the private doctor, hung up, and resud cooling Aria’s skin.
This—this I could do.
I could take care of my wife, I could protect her.
Even from myself.
My gaze stayed fixed on her as I wiped her skin with the damp towel, moving slowly, carefully—almost too carefully for a man like . The cool water slid over her warm skin, steam rising faintly from the heat radiating off her.
Moon goddess above... she was burning.
My throat tightened as I traced the gentle curve of her collarbone, the delicate lines of her neck. I swallowed before I could stop myself, my wolf noticing and reacting. He was pacing within with an energy I struggled to contain.
Then she let out a soft sigh.
It was barely a sound, but enough to make my fingers pause. The small, contented noise hit like a punch. My chest tightened. My movents softened instinctively, becoming close to reverent.
Why did she affect like this?
A knock snapped out of my thoughts.
"Alpha Nathan, the doctor’s here," Collins called.
"Hold on," I muttered, forcing myself to move faster, finishing the cool wipe-down before I trusted anyone else to walk through that door.
When Collins brought the doctor in, the warm, heavy heat settling in the air hit them imdiately. I watched the doctor’s face twist in surprise as he took one look at Aria spread across the bed—flushed, exhausted, and undeniably affected by the drug.
Then his gaze slid to .
His eyes flicked to my slightly loose collar, then quickly away.
"Can you handle it?" I asked, my voice low, gaze still pinned to Aria. My wolf was hovering just under my skin, watching her through my eyes, restless and protective.
"Yes," the doctor answered softly, not daring to look at again.
He produced a vial from his kit and administered the antidote. I stood over him the entire ti, the way a wolf stands over his injured mate.
When he finished, he opened the window, letting cold night air rush into the room. It swept across my face and chest, cooling the simring heat under my skin.
Slowly Aria’s feverish flush began to fade. Her breathing steadied.
The doctor sagged in relief.
"Thank you," I said, stepping forward just enough to block his view of her.
Collins understood and escorted him out.
Silence settled, broken only by the breeze from the window and Aria’s now-calr breaths.
My gaze drifted back to her.
She looked... peaceful and innocent. As if none of the storms of her life existed, as if nothing and no one had ever hurt her.
My gaze softened as I watched her. Without thinking, I sat beside her, close enough to guard and to breathe in her scent.
A small giggle pulled my attention away.
It was the little baby girl.
She blinked up at , smiling toothlessly like I was her favorite person.
I frowned.
Why did the sight of her make a warm feeling unfurl inside my chest?
She wasn’t mine.
She wasn’t even close to mine.
And yet...
Almost without thinking, I reached out, brushing my fingers over her soft cheek. She leaned into the touch, giggling again.
My heart gave a strange thump.
"Who’s your father?" I murmured under my breath before I realized the words had escaped.
I huffed a quiet laugh. "Listen to ... talking to a baby."
She nibbled her fingers, her head tilted as if trying to understand .
I tugged gently on her tiny hand. "Would you like to co ho to with your mom?"
A voice imdiately cracked through the quiet.
"She doesn’t want to. And neither do I."
It was Aria.
Her voice was hoarse and defensive. She struggled upright, her eyes wary, her arms imdiately pulling Lana close as if shielding her from .
My body stiffened, my expression imdiately shifting back into neutrality.
"You’re awake?" I said, glancing at her, but the cold look in her eyes sent a sharp pang through my chest.
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