The night wrapped around them like silk.
Aurelia's chest rose and fell as she stared at him — the boy who had haunted her since the fall. The boy with eyes like midnight storms and lips that knew too many secrets.
"You came," he said, stepping closer. His boots crushed the frost beneath them.
She didn't move.
"I didn't mean to," she whispered.
He tilted his head. "But you did."
His voice was low, teasing. But his eyes… his eyes burned with something else. Something wicked. Something hungry.
She should run.
But she stayed.
Her fingers trembled at her sides. Her skin tingled where the cold kissed it. But the chill had nothing on him — the heat in his stare could melt bones.
"I don't even know your name," she breathed.
He stepped closer.
"And yet… you came to me in the dark."
His hand lifted — slow, deliberate — and brushed a stray strand of hair from her cheek.
She gasped.
His thumb lingered. "You're hurt," he said softly, glancing at her leg. "Did the little snake do this?"
"I fell," she said quickly. Too quickly.
His lips curled.
"I saw the look in her eyes when I saved you. That wasn't guilt, little wolf. That was rage. She wanted you gone."
Aurelia swallowed hard. "Who are you?"
He leaned down — just enough that his breath ghosted over her ear.
"I'm the one your father hates."
A sharp inhale.
"Why?" she asked, almost breathless.
"Because he knows I'll take what's his."
Her heart slammed against her ribs.
"Are you… trying to take me?" she asked.
That smirk vanished.
For a moment, he looked deadly serious. Almost hurt.
"No," he said. "You're not something to take. You're something to earn."
Then—he stepped back. Just an inch. But it felt like a canyon between them.
"I shouldn't be here," she whispered. "I don't know what I'm doing."
He nodded slowly. "You're searching for the part of you they buried."
Her eyes snapped up to his.
He touched her chest — just over her heart — and said, "It's still here. You just need to remember."
Behind the trees, three pairs of furious eyes watched.
Aero's hand balled into a fist.
Ren's face turned pale.
But the Duke?
He was already pulling his sword from its sheath.