Aria:

“Wait for me.”

Those words were only mouthed from afar by the most handsome and captivating man I had ever seen.

“Alpha Sebastian,” I whispered his name as I watched him turn and leave with Celina, the daughter of the alpha of the Shadow Pack.

Sebastian meant everything to me.

He wasn’t just my guardian but also my savior, the one who had rescued me from a snowy forest, given me a home, attended my parent-teacher meetings at the Wolf Academy, and stayed up all night guarding me when I was sick.

Goddess, it felt so wrong watching him walk away with another she-wolf. I knew I wasn’t supposed to have these feelings for him.

He was older, much older, and had probably only ever thought of me as someone under his protection.

Today was my coming-of-age ceremony. He had thrown a grand celebration in my honor.

All the pack elders were present, but my focus never left Sebastian, the tall, dark, mysterious Alpha.

“Will you please excuse me?”

I excused myself, lifting the hem of my gown so it would be easier to follow after Sebastian and Celina.

As soon as I reached the corner of the hallway, a voice stopped me in my tracks.

“Sebastian, I have admired you for so long.”

Celina’s tone was soft but seductive.

My fist tightened around the fabric of my dress as I leaned closer, peeking around the corner.

She stood before Sebastian, her eyes filled with desire.

It felt forbidden to be so jealous, but I couldn’t stop myself. I couldn’t watch him with her.

While keeping her eyes locked on him, Celina began to unbutton her top until her lacy bra showed.

I gasped softly, covering my mouth as tears burned at the corners of my eyes. It was too much to bear.

She rose on her tiptoes, trying to kiss my guardian angel. My lips trembled, pain spreading through me like fire.

Is this how it feels to love someone you can’t have?

Until now, I thought these feelings were just part of growing up, the natural curiosity that came with age.

But when I saw her being so bold with him, I realized it was much worse. I was in love with him. I was in love with my guardian.

Through my teary eyes, I kept watching. Sebastian didn’t move. His arms were crossed, his back resting against the wall.

Then, in a cold voice, he spoke.

“Today you have crossed all your lines.”

Hearing those words felt like a blessing. I smiled weakly, watching him reject her.

“But I like you,” Celina said, stepping closer.

She reached for his collar, trying to pull him in for a kiss, but he caught her wrists and pushed her back before turning to leave. It all happened in seconds.

I stepped aside, hiding behind a partition so Sebastian could walk away.

As he left, I wondered if I should follow him and tell him how I felt.

Then someone grabbed the hair at the back of my head and yanked me backward.

“Ouch!” I grimaced as my back hit the wall.

Celina stepped forward, pressing a dagger to my throat.

Her eyes were wide and wild, full of anger.

“What the heck– are you do—oing?” I asked, my voice breaking in fear.

“Who do you think you are, huh? You little piece of—” Celina snarled in my face, and I whimpered.

The cold, sharp blade pressed so tightly it almost cut my neck.

“I didn’t do anything. I was just passing by,” I said, my voice shaking.

“You take up all his time, and you don’t even realize you’ve become his weakness,” she spat. “See how easy it was to pin you to the wall? Do you want me to hold you hostage and make him tear his heart out to save you?”

Fear widened my eyes. I realized she could do exactly that.

“Why would you do that?” I asked, trembling. “He’s a good man.”

“It seems you care too much for him,” Celina warned, pressing the dagger harder. “You’re taking all his attention. Listen, you’re already eighteen. You should be fine on your own. Why do you need a guardian?”

“I don’t understand. What do you want from me?” I whimpered.

“I want you to leave,” she said coldly. “If you do not, Aria, I will get my hands on you. Then your guardian will have to present his heart in a platter to save you.” Her eyes made it clear she meant it.

She was the daughter of an alpha, of course she had her ways. She could not defeat Sebastian in a fair fight, but she could use me against him.

Tears burned my eyes as I realized what she wanted.

“You have thirty minutes to run. I’m giving you a head start. Never come back, and Sebastian will live,” she hissed, then stepped back.

I ran away in a panic.

I entered the hall and immediately bumped into Sebastian.

“Where were you? I’ve been looking for you,” he asked in a stern tone.

I looked around to see that the guests were busy with food and chatter.

“I need to speak with you,” I whispered, glancing over my shoulder to make sure Celina didn’t see me.

Her warriors were watching me, talking among themselves. Too many eyes were on me. I felt trapped.

“Come with me.” I grabbed Sebastian’s hand and guided him toward the kitchen.

He resisted slightly. That was unusual.

“What is it?” he asked once we reached the kitchen, still sounding urgent.

“I need to talk about something important,” I uttered softly.

I pointed toward the door, ready to explain what Celina had said to me, but his expression stopped me.

“I know what you’re going to say,” he said coldly.

“What is this?” He then held out a crumpled piece of paper.

I recognized it immediately—the letter I had left in his pocket, confessing my feelings.

I had just turned eighteen. I had hoped telling him would show that he didn’t need to act as my guardian when there was no blood relation between us.

I had kept my feelings hidden, waiting for the right moment. Now that moment had come, it was ruined by Celina’s threat.

“What does it say, Aria?” he asked, his eyes cold.

“Sebastian, it is—-,” I said, trying again.

He raised his palm, stopping me, and uncrumpled the letter. The way he handled it already hurt.

“My dear Sebastian, thank you for the gift for my coming of age. I have a gift for you too. It is me. Will you accept me?” he read out loud and I closed my eyes in embarrassment.

“Aria, listen carefully,” he muttered under his clenched jaw. “I am your guardian. How could you even think like that? How could you think that about us?”

He began to scold me, and the courage I had gathered to tell him about Celina began to fade.

“Sebastian, I am not a child anymore. I know my feelings. My wolf soul has woken up, and I really like you,” I said, shaking and rubbing my palms together nervously.

“Well, then you shouldn’t,” he replied firmly. “There is never going to be anything else. I am your guardian. I will never be more than that. Forget it. Get it out of your head. Don’t ever say this in front of anyone else. Do you understand?”

He grabbed my arm and pulled me closer as he spoke. My eyes blurred with tears.

I noticed Celina’s guards wandering outside the kitchen.

“Understood,” I said in a broken voice.

“Now fix yourself and come back to the hall. Everyone is waiting,” he said coldly. He jerked his coat and stormed out, crushing my dreams, my hopes, and my love.

Celina’s warriors entered the kitchen shortly after, smirking and moving around like little ants. I knew their presence was a reminder—they were watching me.

Remembering how Sebastian had rejected me, I realized the most I could do for him now was save his life. Perhaps that would be my ultimate gift, in return for everything he had given me over the years.

I stepped back and turned, running toward the exit.

Just as I stepped one foot outside, I stopped and looked back at the mansion. Tears filled my eyes.

“Bye, Sebastian. Your Aria will do anything to save your life, even if it means removing myself from your life,” I whispered, then sprinted away.