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Chapter 16: The Words She Never Said
The victory had come at a cost.
Aria lay in her chamber, pale and trembling. The healer whispered of a magical overload—her powers, fueled by rage and desperation, had pushed her beyond her limit. Her body was fighting itself now, and no one knew how long she had before it broke her from within.
Outside her room, the pack moved in hushed tones. The once-indomitable Alpha was now bedridden—and the two men who had once fought for her attention now stood guard outside her door.
Kael hadn't said a word since the battle.
Not to her. Not to anyone.
He arrived with fire in his eyes and left with ice in his veins.
Nigel stood at her side constantly, trying to ease her pain, though she knew even he noticed what she was really hurting from.
Kael's silence.
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Three days later
She woke with a gasp, her skin damp with sweat, her body shaking. She felt like her bones were made of flame and fog, her strength draining with every breath.
But this time, when she opened her eyes, she saw Kael sitting in the corner of the room, arms crossed, eyes shadowed with concern he wasn't willing to speak aloud.
"You came back," she rasped.
He didn't answer.
"I thought…" Her voice broke. "I thought you left me. For good this time."
Kael's jaw tightened, but still, he said nothing.
Aria forced herself up slightly, wincing. "Kael, I need to say something. Please. Don't leave again without hearing me."
He stood slowly but remained silent.
She clenched the blanket in her fists. "I pushed you away because I was scared. Of how much you saw me. Of how much I was starting to feel for you."
Still silence.
She kept going. "I thought being strong meant not needing anyone. But when I saw you ride away… it felt like the ground gave out beneath me. And when you came back—when you saved us even after I broke your heart—something inside me cracked."
Kael's gaze softened, but he still didn't move.
Tears slipped from her eyes. "I'm sorry. I was wrong. About everything. I don't want to do this without you anymore."
The room held its breath.
Then Kael walked to her bedside and crouched low, finally meeting her eyes.
"I didn't come back for the pack," he said quietly. "I came back for you."
Aria let out a sound between a sob and a laugh. "Then why won't you talk to me?"
"Because I didn't know if I could survive hearing you reject me a second time."
Her fingers reached for his. "Then don't go. Not again."
Kael's hand closed around hers, firm and steady.
"I'm here," he said. "But this time, you fight for me too."
Aria nodded, tears streaming down her face.
"I will. I promise."
And for the first time since the fire began between them—they both allowed it to burn together.