Aria's POV
I held Elona tight against my chest as we stepped back into the shattered heart of the altar ruins. Behind me, the vampire host fanned out like a living shadow. Viktor stood at my shoulder, the rest of them fanned around us, silent and hungry.
My daughter’s small body was warm, solid, and real. That was the only thing keeping me from fracturing right there.
The moment we stepped into the clearing, I sensed them... wolves, dozens of them.
Then I heard a roar.
"Aria!"
It was Damon. My heart clenched. I turned. He stood at the edge of the ruins, surrounded by warriors, his eyes burning gold, power rolling off him in waves. Noah and Ryder were beside him. Their eyes were fixed on me.
They froze.
I watched the shock hit them one by one. The way I stood among the vampires with
