His gaze locked onto Marcus.
“So tell me… how does that feel?”
Pain flashed across Marcus’s face.
Aria grabbed Caleb’s arm and forced him to look at her.
“Yes, Sophia ended things,” she said coldly. “But honestly, it’s better that way. Hard times reveal who truly cares.”
Her eyes burned with defiance.
“We don’t need people who abandon us when life becomes difficult.”
Marcus gave her a grateful smile.
Caleb’s jaw tightened.
“You’re playing with fire, Aria,” he warned darkly. “I told you what would happen if you refused to return to me.”
“I’d rather face consequences than return to a man like you,” she replied. “Loving you once was the greatest mistake of my life.”
Anger flashed in Caleb’s eyes.
In an instant he grabbed her waist and pulled her against him.
Aria struggled immediately, but his Alpha strength overwhelmed her.
Marcus rushed forward—
But Caleb’s warriors restrained him.
Caleb leaned close to Aria.
“I want to hate you,” he murmured quietly. “But I can’t. I still love you.”
His voice softened.
“These months without you have been torture. Even our wolves cry for each other through the broken mindlink.”
“Let me go,” Aria hissed. “Your touch disgusts me.”
His eyes darkened.