Author's pov
"I wasn't thinking about anything, just..." Aria's voice trailed off before she offered a bitter smile.
Why should she share her thoughts with Alpha Damien?
Noticing her sudden silence, Alpha Damien knew she wouldn't continue. He took her hand in his, gently playing with each finger before stopping at her pinky.
The mark where her nail had been looked awful, yet it tugged at something deep inside him.
With unexpected tenderness, he raised it to his lips and placed a gentle kiss on the damaged fingertip.
"Does it still hurt?" he asked, his voice barely above a whisper.
Aria pulled her hand back with one swift motion, her expression cold and distant.
"No, it doesn't," she replied coolly, though her fingers instinctively curled into a protective fist.
