Aria's POV
I didn't hesitate. "As you can see, I've made my choice."
Damon stepped closer until he was standing beside me. The warmth of his presence strengthened the mate bond between us, steadying something inside me despite the exhaustion weighing on my body.
Behind me, the wolves lowered their heads, waiting for my command.
The elder looked around the battlefield. I saw uncertainty flicker across his face.
There was no army left to save him. No leader coming to his aid. No advantage he could use against us. Only scattered vampires remained at the border, bloodied and retreating with nowhere else to go.
His hands curled into fists. Then he turned sharply. "Fall back, everyone!"
The remaining vampires immediately began retreating. Some shifted and disappeared into the forest, whil
