**Aria POV"Just one more session and you should be good as new," I said cheerfully.I had just finished giving Chris another dose of aconite and redressing his wound, which seemed to be healing nicely."Thank you, I really appreciate all your help," Chris said with a smile. "You've saved my life.""It's my job," I reminded him. "You paid me, remember?""True," Chris said with a chuckle, "but I get the sense that you're not just doing this for the money. You find purpose in saving lives, and it brings you joy and relief knowing that you do."I didn't reply as I packed up my things. The way Chris looked at me so intently made me feel as though he was looking into my very soul and reading all of its contents.I did not want to linger for too long. Luckily, I didn't have to travel all the way to the lower city for the appointment this time. I had met up with Chris at an apartment building in the middle district. It was not as affluent as the upper city, but it was much mo

**Aria POV"Tony?" Noah said, enraged. "You ran into that little scoundrel today and you said nothing to me or anyone in the pack! How the hell am I supposed to trust you if you're hiding information like that?""Hey, I'm not part of your little pack war, alright?" I fumed. "And I don't work for you, I work for Henry! Stop thinking that you can order me around."I was getting tired of this. Healers were not supposed to entangle themselves in pack politics; we were just supposed to heal the injured and sick without getting caught up in social issues. But now I was in the thick of it, all because I wanted a fast track out of the slums."Just one problem, 'Arianna,' you're officially the Luna to the Bergmann pack whether your marriage to my father is a sham or not!" Noah exclaimed angrily. "You can't play the middle ground and change your role as you please! If they call you again, you either ignore it or you tell me where they are.""You don't control me, Noah!" I snapped at hi

**Aria POV"It's unprofessional to contact me directly," I said calmly into the phone, keeping my tone as neutral and businesslike as possible. "We work through brokers for a reason.""I know, I know," Chris's voice chimed though, charming and playful as usual. "I just thought that you and I were practically friends now, so a personal call wouldn't do much harm.""Still," I said, "it's not what I'm used to. But if we're talking now, to what do I owe the pleasure?""Well, my wound is healed completely but there's still a dull ache that's rather bothersome," he explained. "I could go to a clinic, but…I must say I've rather fallen in love with your workmanship."He wanted to discuss the offer he made me in person, luring me in under the pretense of healing him. I knew it was a trick…but why was I so tempted to say yes? I should tell Noah about this. Keeping it from him would only strain things between us again."I'll have to get back to you on that, Chris," I deflected. "I

**Noah POVLeaping from the roof of the mansion, I landed on my feet and dashed toward the woods. It was the weak point in the estate's defenses, so it was the place that Chris and his pack had chosen to attack from.Howls and screams echoed as the Hansen wolves walked straight into the traps we had placed all throughout the forest.My fellow pack members joined me at the treeline. There were ninety of us present at the moment; the others had been stationed all around the estate, as well as with my father down in the tunnels.The wolves with me were itching to transform and attack the intruders."Hold the line!" I yelled. "Don't engage until we see them! If you run in there blind you could head into a trap or an ambush!"More howls echoed through the woods, screams both of pain and rage followed by growls as the enemy transformed. The thundering of a hundred wolf paws could be heard hurtling across the forest floor."Hold!" I yelled.They were getting closer."Hold

**Aria POVThe Hansens' raid on the Bergmann estate had been thwarted. We had suffered very few casualties and those with major injuries were being treated at high care medical facilities. The damage to the estate was being repaired and the forest restored.Everything was going back to a semblance of normality. The house staff had returned and were going about their duties as usual.Yet for some reason, it felt like the victory was hollow. We were left with more worries and concerns, and the thought of Chris being a more dangerous adversary than anticipated kept me awake at night.He knew who I was now; how long before he discovered Henry's illness? How long before he exposed me as impersonating an aristocrat and practicing medicine illegally?And somehow he was unable to die. Some power had kept him alive, and I felt lost in the dark trying to figure out what it was.Most wolves were magically inclined to some degree, but the magic we could perform was limited to healing a