Aiden doesn't let go of me for a long time after the kiss.
His forehead rests against mine, breath mingling with mine, his hands cupping my face like he's memorizing every line, every curve, every trembling inhale.
"Liyana…"
His voice is soft, rough, aching.
"I shouldn't have kissed you like that."
"Then don't stop," I whisper.
He shudders.
"You don't understand what you do to me."
My fingers slide slowly into his hair.
"I think I do."
His lips hover over mine again—
but he forces himself to pull back.
Barely.
One inch of distance.
One inch that hurts more than any wound.
He exhales shakily.
"We need to get you somewhere safe for now."
"Inside a Temple that wants to test me?" I ask dryly.
He doesn't smile.
He's too worried.
"Just… come with me."
He threads his fingers through mine and leads me through the silent, glowing hallways.
Every step sends chills through me—the Temple breathes.
I can feel it.
Not like a building.
Not like stone.
But like a living creature watching me from every angle.
THE TEMPLE'S INNER CHAMBER
He pushes open a door carved with silver moons.
Inside is a simple room:
A stone bed carved into the wall
covered in white sheets that glow faintly.
A bowl of water reflecting silver light.
A small fire pit that burns without wood.
No windows.
No sound from outside.
Aiden shuts the door and locks it magically.
I hear the lock glow.
He turns toward me slowly.
And when his eyes meet mine—
the Alpha disappears.
What stands in front of me is a man.
A man terrified of losing the girl in front of him.
He takes a step closer.
Then another.
When he reaches me, his hands rise, trembling slightly, and settle on my waist.
"I'm not letting you face this alone."
"You can't stop the Temple," I whisper.
"No."
His forehead touches mine again.
"But I can hold you through the fear."
Something hot pricks behind my eyes.
"No one has ever said that to me," I admit quietly.
Aiden closes his eyes like the confession hurts him.
"You deserved someone long before me," he murmurs. "Someone who held you, fought for you, loved you without an agenda."
He pulls me closer until my chest is pressed against his.
"I will be that someone," he whispers.
"If you let me."
My heart trips.
"Aiden…"
His thumb slides over my lower lip.
"You're shaking."
"I'm trying not to."
"You don't have to try."
He lowers his lips to my temple.
"Shake in my arms. Cry in them. Sleep in them. Just… be here."
My breath catches.
His arms slide fully around me, slowly, carefully, as if afraid to break whatever I am becoming. I melt into the warmth of his body, resting my cheek against his chest.
His heartbeat thumps, strong and steady, under my ear.
"You're warm," I whisper.
"You're cold."
He rubs my back gently.
"Lie down."
"I don't want to sleep."
"Then just rest."
He brushes hair from my face.
"I'll stay awake."
"You haven't slept in two days."
"I'll sleep when you're safe."
My eyes meet his.
The raw devotion there steals my breath.
Slowly, he guides me to sit on the stone bed.
He kneels in front of me, taking my hands in his.
"Show me your mark," he murmurs.
I lift my hand.
The symbol glows faint silver-gold.
Aiden gently lifts my wrist to his lips and kisses the mark.
My breath stutters.
His voice dips low.
"This mark belongs to you. Not to him."
"Aiden…"
"I mean it," he whispers.
"You choose how you use your power.
You choose your destiny.
You choose your future."
He lifts his eyes to mine.
"And if that future has room for me—
I won't let the Moon or the Shadow take you away."
The bond pulses hard enough to make me gasp.
He stands, slowly, letting his fingers brush along my cheek as he sits beside me on the bed.
"Come here," he whispers.
I scoot closer.
He pulls me gently onto his lap—legs draped across his, arms wrapping around my back—and I settle against him like I've belonged there forever.
His lips brush my hair.
"You fit," he murmurs.
"Fit where?"
"Here."
His hand slides to my waist.
"With me."
A warmth spreads through me that has nothing to do with magic.
"Aiden," I whisper, heart pounding, "kiss me again."
He goes still.
My fingers slide along his jaw.
His eyes darken.
"You don't know what you're asking for."
"I know exactly."
He inhales sharply—like he's fighting himself.
"You're too precious for me to rush."
"Then don't rush," I whisper.
"Just kiss me."
He doesn't hesitate this time.
He pulls my face toward his and kisses me—
slowly at first, letting me feel the tender press of his lips against mine.
His fingers slide into my hair as the kiss deepens.
Heat curls low in my stomach.
My hands grip his shirt, pulling him closer.
A low growl vibrates in his chest as his lips move with mine—full of hunger he's been swallowing for days.
He breaks away only to breathe against my mouth.
"Tell me to stop."
"Never," I whisper.
He kisses me again—deeper, slower, more deliberate—
like he's memorizing the shape of my lips.
His hand slides to the back of my neck, thumb stroking gently.
I gasp softly against his mouth.
He smiles breathlessly.
"You sound like that again," he whispers in my ear, "and I'll forget every promise I made about taking it slow."
Heat floods my cheeks.
"And if I want you to forget?"
He growls—a low, beautiful sound.
"Moonlight," he breathes, "don't tempt me."
Then—
The ground shakes.
I jolt in his arms.
The fire flickers violently.
Aiden immediately shifts, shielding me with his body.
"Stay behind me."
"Something's coming," I whisper.
"No," he growls. "Something is waking."
The Temple walls glow with silver veins.
Symbols flicker alive.
The air thickens.
The temperature drops.
And a deep, ancient voice echoes through the chamber:
"Shadow Heir."
My blood runs cold.
Aiden bares his teeth, eyes glowing.
"Don't answer it," he commands.
But the voice continues:
"Your trial begins at moonrise."
The stone beneath my feet vibrates.
Aiden grabs my hands.
"Liyana. Look at me."
I do.
"You will survive this," he says fiercely.
"Because I'm not letting you face it alone."
"But the Keeper said—"
"I DON'T CARE WHAT SHE SAID!"
His voice cracks with emotion.
"I'm staying with you."
The walls tremble again—but this time, softly.
Like a heartbeat.
My mark burns.
Aiden presses his forehead to mine.
"We face destiny together."
I swallow.
"What if destiny chooses death?"
He pulls me closer.
"Then death will have to get through me first."
The Temple hums harder.
Moonrise is coming.
And with it—
the test that might kill me
or turn me into something the world has never seen.
But I'm not facing it alone.
I'm facing it with him.
The Alpha who kisses like he's claiming my soul.
The Alpha who would break the Moon for me.
The Alpha who whispers:
"Whatever happens tonight…
you're mine."
And somewhere deep inside me—
another voice whispers back:
"For now."