Aria's POV
The next morning, Damon, Noah, and I left before sunrise. The three of us stood near the vehicles while the estate slowly woke around us.
Damon looked at me. "Ready?"
I nodded. "As ready as I'll ever be."
He stepped closer and pulled me into his arms. "I can't wait for all of this to be over so you can finally be free again." His voice was barely above a whisper.
I held him tightly. "Me too."
His lips brushed against my forehead. The mate bond warmed between us, spreading through my chest like a quiet reassurance. Rhein stirred inside him, and even through the bond, I could sense his wolf's protective presence.
Lydia answered instinctively. Tell Rhein to stop worrying.
A small smile touched my lips. He's an Alpha. Worrying is apparently part of the job.
Lydia huffed. Th
