Reclaiming the Moonlit Grove

I shook his hand off my wrist. "What are you doing?"

"Just trying to help a friend," Silas replied smoothly.

I let out a short, bitter laugh. "Help me or possess me? I rejected you once. Is this your revenge, now that I'm at my weakest?"

"Revenge? Is that how you see me?" The usual lazy smile vanished from his eyes.

"What else?" I snapped. A gust of cold wind made my stomach clench, and combined with the weakness from my fading power, I immediately bent over, dry-heaving violently.

A searing pain ripped through my chest and stomach. By the time it passed, I was so weak I could barely stand.

Silas's hand steadily supported my back while his other quickly offered me a tissue. He paid no mind to the filth that had splattered on his pants and shoes.

I sank to the ground and burst into tears. "Why me? Why does every Alpha have to hurt me? You're all the same..."

"Aria," he said softly, his hand tracing slow circles on my back. "No one wants to hurt you. I never wanted to. I sensed your mate bond was on the verge of shattering the moment I returned to this territory. I've been worried sick."

"I followed you tonight when I saw you leave the Blackwell Pack's territory. I just wanted to make sure you wouldn't hurt yourself. That's all. If you don't want to see me, I can call a friend of yours to come get you..."

I answered curtly, "I don't have any friends. Not since the Kade family fell."

Silas was silent for a long time. Then, he asked, "Should I mind-link Jasper to come get you?"

"We're severing the mate bond," I said. "I initiated the ritual, offered half of my wolf's power, and left with nothing."

I swayed as I stood, letting out a small, hollow laugh. "But he was right. I used up a lot of his resources over the past three years. We're even now."

"Do you still love him?" Silas asked.

I froze, then shook my head. "No. Not anymore. I'm not that pathetic, Silas."

"In that case, would you consider accepting my mark?"

My head snapped toward him, my eyes wide. "Don't you hate me?"

When I rejected him all those years ago, I was young and arrogant. My words had been cruel.

Silas shook his head. He was no longer that impulsive, passionate youth. Time had honed him into a more composed, sharper Alpha, his steady presence almost eclipsing Jasper's brilliance.

"I tried to hate you," he admitted, "but I couldn't."

He took a step closer. "Aria, how about we give this a try?"

When I didn't answer, he smiled. "Even if it's just for revenge. If you want to use my Pack, then use it."

That familiar, lazy smile returned to his eyes, making his words sound like a harmless joke. Yet, the warmth beneath that smile was so intense I couldn't meet his gaze.

After a moment, he said, "Let me get you to a hotel. You look awful. You need to rest."

He took my suitcase and offered his arm. "Hold on to me. Don't fall."

...

Silas didn't leave the hotel until I was settled in, fresh from a hot shower and wrapped in a bathrobe, while he patiently blow-dried my long hair.

Just as he reached the door, I called out to him. "Silas."

He turned. I stood on my tiptoes, wrapped my arms around his neck, and deliberately scent-marked him, rubbing my cheek against his neck.

I remembered the first time I'd wanted this with Jasper. He'd pushed me away, sneering that my bloodline was impure before walking out.

Now I had finally marked someone, but it was a person I had never expected.

The moment my scent was on him, Silas took control. His large, warm hand landed on my waist, spinning me around and pressing me firmly against the door.

His kiss was relentless and possessive, sweeping over me as tears slipped from the corners of my eyes.

"Don't cry, Aria."