Aria's POV
Raine left without a backward glance, the door closing softly behind him.
I didn't care.
I'd tried. Goddess knows I'd tried—first in his chambers, then tonight with my story. I've offered a different way to see the world, a way out of the darkness he wrapped himself in. If he wanted to keep acting coldly, shutting everyone out, that was his business. I wasn't going to chase him anymore.
The pack seemed to sense the shift too. After a brief, respectful silence, one of the younger warriors cleared his throat.
"I've got one," he said, standing. "About the time three of us tried to outrun a thunderstorm on patrol…"
Laughter rippled through the hall, and the mood lifted. Stories flowed again—one after another, lighter ones now, full of mischief and narrow escapes.
As the hour grew late, the cubs began to yawn, eyelids drooping even as they fought to stay awake.
I stood, smiling gently. "It's time for the little ones to head to bed," I announced. "The moon's high, and dreams are waiting."
Protests rose immediately.
"Nooo!" Lily wailed dramatically. "One more story!"
The other cubs chimed in pleading eyes turned on their parents.
But the mothers and fathers were already gathering blankets and sleepy children. One father ruffled his son's hair. "The Luna's right. But we'll have another night soon—I promise."
Mira, holding her youngest, nodded at me. "Thank you, Luna. This was wonderful. We'll make sure there's another."
The cubs were herded out reluctantly, their whines fading down the corridor.
The adults stayed a while longer. A few more tales—deeper ones now, about old battles and lost friends. One by one, the elders rose, offering quiet thanks as they left. The warriors followed, clapping each other on the back, voices low.
Cara was among the last. She paused beside me, patting my arm.
"A good night, Lady Aria," she said softly. "You and Ivan put the fire out when you're done, aye?"
I nodded. "We will."
She gave Ivan a knowing look, then slipped out.
The hall emptied until only the crackle of the dying fire remained.
And us.
Ivan an I.
We sat on the same bench, shoulders brushing, the vast room suddenly feeling smaller.
The embers glowed red, casting warm shadows on his face.
"Quite a night," he said quietly, turning to me.
"Yeah," I agreed. "It was."
We sat in comfortable silence for a while, watching the embers shift and settle.
Then Ivan asked a question I wasn't expecting.
"Have you ever been in love?"
The question was gentle, but it landed like a pebble in still water.
I stared at the fire, letting the ripples spread.
"No," I said finally. "Not really. In Silvercrest… there wasn't time. I was mistreated, invisible most days. Love felt like something for other people. I only ever believed in fated mates—the kind the Goddess hands you, perfect and meant to be."
I gave a small, wry smile.
"But the Goddess wasn't kind to me in that department. Kael rejected me in front of everyone. And now… I'm married to an Alpha who can never love me. So it seems love is out of the books for me altogether."
I shrugged, the words lighter than the ache behind them.
"But I'm not bothered. Not really. I have a roof over my head. Food. A pack that actually seems to adore me. That's more than I ever had before. It's enough. It fills the space where love might have been."
Ivan nodded slowly, his eyes on the embers.
"I see."
He was quiet for a moment, then leaned back, hands behind his head.
"Your turn," I said, nudging him. "Have you?"
He huffed a soft laugh. "Once. A crush, really. On Seraphine's younger sister—Liora. She was fierce, funny. Had this laugh that could cut through any bad day. I was too young and too awkward to ever say anything.
His smile faded.
"But after Seraphine died… her family couldn't stay. They blamed Raine—even though it wasn't his fault. The curse took her, not him. They left the pack. Haven't heard from them since."
He shrugged.
"Before that, when I was a rogue… a few hookups. Nothing serious. Survival didn't leave much room for anything else."
He turned to me, eyes soft in the dying light.
"So yeah. My love life's almost as boring as yours."
"Almost," I teased.
We fell quiet again, the embers glowing softer.
The silence wasn't awkward—it was peaceful, the kind that only comes after sharing pieces of yourself you usually keep hidden.
Ivan stood first, stretching with a quiet groan.
"We've stayed up too late," he said. "We should probably get some sleep. Training tomorrow, remember?"
I smiled, standing beside him. "You're right."
Together, we banked the fire—pushing the logs apart, scattering the ashes until only a faint warmth remained. The hall grew darker, cooler, the last traces of light fading.
We left side by side, footsteps soft on the stone floor. The corridors were empty, torches burning low.
As we walked toward my chambers, Ivan spoke again.
"You know," he said, "there's this old saying among rogues—'new beginnings.' It means throwing away the pains of the past. Not forgetting them… just choosing not to let them own you anymore. Finding new joys in the future instead."
He glanced at me.
"I think your entrance into this pack… that's the start of new things. For all of us."
My heart warmed. "You really believe that?"
"I do," he said simply. "You've already changed things here. In ways you probably don't even see yet."
We reached my chamber door too soon.
He stopped, turning to face me.
"Goodnight, Aria."
I looked up at him. The torchlight in the hall caught in his eyes—warm brown, steady, kind.
I got lost in them.
The world narrowed again—just like by the river, but softer this time. Just the quiet pull of something growing between us.
He smiled faintly, as if he felt it too.
I really don't know how long we stood there, staring into each other's eyes before he broke the silence.
"You should probably go inside now," he said gently.
"Oh," I murmured, blinking. "Yes."
I slipped through the door, closing it softly behind me.
But I stood there for a long moment, back against the wood, heart racing.
New beginnings.
Maybe he was right.
And maybe—just maybe—I was ready for one.