I took my bottom lip in between my teeth, gawking at Liam as those words washed over me. Aiden's mother wanted to see me? What could she possibly have to say now? A weird feeling sunk in my stomach. The grip on my phone tightened, my back cracking as I suddenly sat up and rushed out of the room.        "Now?!"       "Yeah." The beta let out a tired sigh, his voice coming out as a whisper. "I tried to appease her, but she won't move. The guards want to see Aiden about it."         "Oh no."       "Exactly!" Liam groaned. "He will not react very well to the news. What do you suggest I do now, Rose?"       A sense of something akin to pride surged in my chest, knowing he asked me as the Luna of t

/Aiden's POV/  At those words, I blinked at my mate, confused lines marring my face. I took a step back, creating some distance between us, parting my mouth, breath whooshing out loudly. "What do you mean by that?"   My mother had all these years to explain herself, so I did not understand Rose trying to defend her now. Still, I was eager to know her condition, a strong feeling in the pit of my stomach. Ever since I got the call from Liam about the attack and our guards scourging for the enemy, I couldn't sit idle. I wanted to sprint into the woods and rescue Rose, tear the throat of her attacker, but before I could do any of that, the omega came to me.     The omega noisily breathed, tears forming in her eyes as she looked at me. "Your mother had no choice but to leave you behind, Aiden."

As soon as I woke up, my eyes shifted towards the windowpanes of the bedroom, darkness shrouding the room. Heavy drops of rain started pounding against the glass in quick succession, drowning out the ticking sound of the clock. I allowed my body another few minutes, languidly stretching the limbs that were beginning to ache. The guards must have left by now, I thought with a twist of my lips.    Aiden insisted on me taking the guards along with the attacks in our territory increasing. Then again, I cannot blame him after what happened to Ann. My heart clenched at her mention, thinking back to the frail image of Luna lying in the clinic. No one from the clinic contacted me, which meant there was no progress.    Before falling into the river, I knew she wanted to tell something, the words on the tip of her tongue. Unfortunately, the

/Aiden's POV/   Damon insisted on calling his mate to inform her that we were leaving for the clinic. I asked him to tell Rose about my location, not wanting to worry her. Along with my beta, we both stepped inside the room, finding Slyvie on the bed.     The doctor bowed as soon as he saw, greeting politely. I waved at him, my eyes flickering towards the frail body of the omega. My heart clenched at sight, guilt swarming in my belly as I recalled the way I behaved with her in our past meetings. I should have given her another chance to explain instead of letting it go.     "H-How is she now?" I croaked, turning to the doctor, my hands falling by my side.  

/Aiden POV/  I didn't know where I went wrong in my life. No. I was aware but did not want to acknowledge it for the sake of my mind. However, the problem is that I cannot change anything now. Staring into Slyvies desperate eyes only made me realise how much of a fool I have been.    Rose was right all along. I sent her away in hopes that my guilt towards Sylvie would ease. When in reality, she's a pawn from Reece side, thrust into my life for my failure. Even though she had no choice but to surrender to fate, I couldn't help the resentment gnawing in my chest.     I would never be able to trust her on anything again. As harsh as it may sound, I did not want to be fooled by her again.