AIDAN

I was furious.

No—furious didn’t even begin to cover it.

My chest burned as I strode away from the scene, my fists clenched so tightly my nails dug into my palms. Every step I took felt heavy, like I was carrying something unbearable inside me.

Maria.

Noah.

The image of them together wouldn’t leave my head.

The way she looked at him...the way he held her...It made something dark rise inside me.

I pushed open the door to the council room where my brothers were, the sound loud enough to snap their attention toward me.

Davian frowned immediately. "What’s wrong with you?"

Damien leaned forward slightly. "You look like you’re about to kill someone."

"Maybe I am," I muttered, my voice low and sharp.

They exchanged glances.

"What happened?" Davian asked again, his tone more serious now.

I let out a harsh breath, running a hand through my hair in frustration. "Noah," I spat his name like it tasted bitter. "Noah and Maria."

That got their full attention.

Damien straightened. "What about them?"

"They’re getting too close," I snapped. "Too damn close."

Davian’s expression hardened. "Explain."

I laughed dryly, pacing the room like a caged animal. "He said it himself. He doesn’t care anymore. He’s ready to throw everything aside, his engagement, his responsibilities...just for her."

Silence dangerously filled the room.

Damien’s jaw tightened. "You’re saying he’s willing to break the engagement with Anabel?"

"I’m not saying it," I shot back. "I heard it. He said it."

Davian cursed under his breath.

"And Maria?" Damien asked slowly.

I stopped pacing.

My chest tightened again.

"She didn’t deny him," I said, my voice dropping. "She stayed, letting him blab about them being engaged."

The words felt like knives leaving my mouth.

None of my brothers spoke for a moment.

Then Davian muttered, "This is getting out of hand."

"Out of hand?" I scoffed bitterly. "It’s already out of control."

I turned away from them, my jaw clenched so hard it hurt. "Do whatever you want with it," I added coldly. "But I’m not sitting back and watching this happen."

"Aidan..." Damien started.

But I was already walking out.

I didn’t want to hear it, neither did I want to think nor did I want to see reason. Because there was no reason left in me, only anger, only jealousy, only her.

I slammed my room door shut the moment I entered, the sound echoing through the walls.

"Damn it!" I growled, pacing the space restlessly.

My wolf stirred inside me, agitated, restless... possessive.

Mine.

The word echoed in my head like a command.

Maria.

Everything about her pulled me in ways I couldn’t explain. I had actually marked her. The bond has been confirmed. It was real.

And now Noah wants to...

"No," I snapped aloud, dragging my hands through my hair. "No, I won’t allow it."

I stopped in the middle of the room, breathing hard.

"An engagement?" I scoffed. "He thinks he can just walk away from it? Just like that?"

My fists clenched again.

"And Maria..." I whispered, my voice tightening. "Why him? Why would she choose him over us? Over the bond?"

Why not me?

I mean we are more capable of giving her whatever she asks for as long as she obeys and behaves.

I laughed bitterly. "What do I have to do?" I muttered. "What exactly do I have to do to make you choose me? Us?"

Silence answered me.

And that only made it worse.

I turned sharply, knocking over a chair in the process.

"I’ll end it," I said under my breath. "Whatever this is between them...I’ll end it."

My jaw tightened.

"I don’t care how."

The door burst open suddenly.

I turned instantly, my eyes blazing.

Anabel.

She stood there, breathing hard, her face flushed with anger and frustration. 𝗳𝚛𝚎𝚎𝘄𝕖𝕓𝕟𝕠𝚟𝚎𝕝.𝗰𝕠𝐦

"And what are you doing here?"

"Brother!" she snapped. "I don’t understand what’s going on!"

I stared at her coldly. "Then maybe you should try to."

Her brows furrowed. "I thought you said I’m already engaged to Noah! So what is all this I’m hearing? You all were so certain that he would accept it!"

I let out a harsh laugh. "I should be asking you that."

She blinked. "What?"

I stepped closer, my gaze sharp. "How is it so hard for you to keep one man’s attention?"

Her eyes widened. "Aidan..."

"No," I cut her off sharply. "Answer me. Why can’t you hold onto him? Why can’t you make him see you instead of Maria?"

Her lips parted in shock.

"You’re supposed to be his fiancée," I continued, my tone harsh and unforgiving. "So why does it look like you’ve already lost him?"

Her expression hardened, hurt flashing in her eyes. "Why are you taking like this? That’s not fair."

"Fair?" I scoffed. "Nothing about this is fair."

She clenched her fists. "Then tell me what to do!"

I paused.

For a second, just a second... I didn’t have an answer.

"I don’t know," I admitted finally, my voice lowered now. "Just... do something."

She stared at me.

"Anything," I added. "Push harder. Make him remember his place. Make him remember you."

Her breathing steadied slightly.

"Fine," she muttered. "If that’s what it takes..." she turned sharply. "...but you better figure something out too," she threw over her shoulder. "Because I’m not losing him to her. I am ready to eliminate her."

I froze at her last words.

"Don’t you dare lay a finger on Maria?" I said without realizing it.

Anabel didn’t respond, and then she stormed out, slamming the door behind her.

What exactly is wrong with her?

Why would she suddenly think of eliminating someone?

Where was the innocence in her?

I exhaled slowly, dropping onto the chair behind me.

My head fell back as I stared at the ceiling.

"Noah..." I muttered.

My jaw clenched.

"I saw you as a brother." The words felt bitter on my lips. "But now..." I leaned forward, my elbows resting on my knees. "...now you’re just a thorn."

My eyes darkened.

"A thorn in my life." My fingers curling slowly into fists again. "And I don’t keep thorns..."

I stood up abruptly with a cold smile forming on my lips.

"...I get rid of them." My voice dropped to a dangerous whisper. "So be careful, Noah..." I paused, biting my lips hard. "...Because I won’t hesitate."