The moon was high by the time Nigel found her.
Aria stood alone on the ridge overlooking the training grounds, the wind tugging at her cloak as if trying to carry her away. She was beautiful like this—strong, untouchable, glowing beneath the silver light.
But he didn't come here to admire her.
He came to protect her.
"Kael isn't who he says he is," Nigel said, not bothering with a greeting.
Aria didn't flinch. Didn't turn. "I'm not in the mood for your warnings."
"I'm serious, Aria." He stepped closer, voice low. "He wants power. Not peace. He's playing a long game. You're part of it."
She turned slowly, her gaze cool and unreadable. "And you're one to talk about playing games."
"That was different—"
"No. It wasn't," she said sharply. "You used me too, Nigel. You lied. You made decisions for me, about me, without ever asking what I wanted."
"I made mistakes. I'm trying to fix them."
She laughed softly, but there was no humor in it. "By telling me who I should or shouldn't trust?"
He looked at her, heart pounding. "I'm telling you because I still care. Because I know what people like Kael are capable of."
"And I'm telling you," she said, stepping forward now, voice hard and clear, "that you don't get to care like that anymore. You don't get to act like I'm still yours."
The words hit like a blade.
"You don't get to warn me. You don't get to follow me. You gave that up the moment you chose power over me."
He opened his mouth, but nothing came out.
Aria turned back to the ridge, her silhouette sharp against the stars.
"You're not my protector, Nigel. You're not my Alpha. And you're not my future."
For a moment, the only sound was the wind.
Then she spoke again—quieter, but still firm. "If I want Kael… that's my choice. Not yours."
He stood frozen, her words a bitter truth he couldn't swallow. She didn't even glance back as she walked away, her footsteps light but final.
Nigel stayed on that ridge long after she was gone, the cold seeping into his bones.
He had wanted to protect her.
But all he'd done was prove that he no longer had the right.