Maria.

For a while... I didn’t move.

I lay there quietly, my head resting against Noah’s chest, listening to the steady rhythm of his heartbeat beneath my ear. His arm was wrapped securely around me, holding me close like he was afraid I might disappear if he loosened his grip even slightly.

It was... peaceful.

My fingers traced absent patterns against his shirt as my thoughts drifted. Everything that had happened, Galen, Adrien, Daniel... even Aidan...spun slowly in my mind, but for once, the noise felt distant.

Because right here... in his arms...I felt safe.

My eyes lifted slightly to look at his face.

He was asleep.

Completely.

His features relaxed in a way I rarely saw. No tension. No guarded expression. Just... calm.

A soft breath left my lips.

"I don’t know how I feel, Noah, but all I know is I want to stay by your side." I muttered under my breath.

Carefully, I shifted, trying not to wake him. His arm tightened instinctively for a second, and my heart skipped, but when he didn’t wake, I gently eased myself out of his hold.

I slipped off the bed.

I took one last glance at him before turning toward the door.

There were still things I needed to do.

I couldn’t stay here forever.

As much as I wanted to.

The hallway was quiet when I stepped out, the cool air brushing lightly against my skin as I walked. My steps were soft, unhurried, my mind still lingering on everything that had happened.

I barely turned the corner when...I collided with someone.

"Whoa—"

Strong hands caught my arms before I could stumble back.

I blinked, looking up.

"Vincent?"

He smiled instantly.

"Well, if it isn’t the troublemaker herself," he teased lightly, his tone warm and familiar.

A small laugh slipped from my lips.

"Sorry, I didn’t see you."

"Clearly," he chuckled, releasing me.

There was something easy about being around Vincent, no tension, no complications, just... simple.

"What are you doing out here?" he asked, tilting his head slightly.

"I needed to clear my head," I replied honestly.

He studied me for a second, like he could tell there was more I wasn’t saying, but he didn’t push.

"Come on," he said instead, gesturing for me to follow. "I was just heading to the back. You can help me with something."

I raised a brow.

"Help you?"

"Yes," he grinned. "Don’t worry, it’s nothing dangerous."

I rolled my eyes slightly but followed him anyway.

A few minutes later, we were at the back area, where a pile of dishes sat waiting to be washed.

I stared at it.

Then at him.

"You’re joking."

He laughed.

"Not at all."

I sighed but stepped forward anyway, picking one up.

"Fine."

For a while, we worked in comfortable silence, the sound of water and clinking dishes filling the space.

Then Vincent spoke again.

"Maria."

I glanced at him.

"Hmm?"

He hesitated for a second.

"Do you want to leave this pack?"

The question caught me off guard. My hands paused slightly in the water.My chest tightened faintly.

Why was he asking? Could he not bear to part with his newly found friend?

"Yes," I said quietly.

The answer came easier than I expected because it was the truth.

"I do."

Vincent nodded slowly, like he had expected that.

Then he asked again, "Do you want power?" 𝒻𝓇𝑒𝘦𝘸𝑒𝒷𝓃ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝒸ℴ𝘮

I blinked, turning to look at him fully now.

"Power?"

He held my gaze.

"Yeah."

I shrugged slightly, unsure.

"I mean... kind of?" I admitted.

It wasn’t something I had deeply thought about, not really. I just wanted freedom, peace and a life where I wasn’t constantly being dragged into chaos.

Vincent’s lips curved slightly. "Then I’ll give it to you."

I stared at him, and without realizing it I laughed. A small, disbelieving laugh.

"Vincent," I shook my head, turning back to the dishes. "We’re both rogues."

He didn’t respond immediately, but I could feel his gaze on me.

"You never know," he said finally.

I smiled faintly, dismissing it.

"Sure."

I was about to say something else when...A strong hand suddenly grabbed my arm. I gasped softly, startled as I was yanked backward.

"What the.."

Before I could react, I was pulled away from the washing area entirely. My heart jumped as I stumbled slightly, trying to keep up with the force dragging me along.

"Aidan...?"

My voice came out in shock as I recognized him, yet he didn’t respond, not a single word, only his hands did the talking as he tightened his grip. He dragged me down the hallway, straight into a secluded corner before finally stopping.

I barely had time to steady myself before he turned to face me.

His eyes were dark.

Burning.

"What is wrong with you?" he demanded, his voice low but filled with restrained anger.

I blinked, taken aback.

"What?"

"Why did you kiss Noah?" he asked, stepping closer.

The question hit me instantly, my expression hardened.I crossed my arms slightly, lifting my chin.

"I don’t owe you any explanation, Alpha Aidan."

His jaw clenched.

The air between us shifted instantly.

"You don’t..."

Before he could finish, be grabbed my face and then...he kissed me, hard, possessive, like he was claiming something.

My eyes widened in shock, my body freezing for a split second before instinct kicked in. I pushed against his chest, trying to break free, but his grip tightened, holding me in place.

His lips moved against mine with a force that stole my breath, his hand gripping my waist as he pulled me closer.

"Stop..." I tried, but the words barely made it out.

Then he pulled back suddenly, our breaths were uneven as my lips tingled.My heart raced wildly in my chest, his gaze locked onto mine fierce and unapologetic.

"You belong to me,You are my damn mate, you can’t go about kissing anyone." he said, his voice rough, final.

And for a moment...I couldn’t even find the words to respond.