Noah's POV
The moment Elder Miriam uttered the words, "You must claim your mate," I knew the clock had started. Not just for Aria, for all of us.
I'd seen this coming months ago. Long before anyone else. The Sacred Land wasn't merely a source of ancient power. It was alive. Every report I'd gathered pointed to the same conclusion.
The guardian never inherited only the land. The land claimed the guardian in return. And now... it was claiming Aria, and Aria needed a mate to survive.
My fingers curled into a fist. The healer's injection had calmed her scent, but only temporarily. I knew enough to recognize that. This wasn't over. It had only begun.
I glanced toward Damon. His eyes never left Aria.
Across the room, Ryder wore his usual relaxed expression, but only someone who understood
