Something was wrong.
Aurelia woke in the middle of the night, heart pounding like war drums in her chest. The velvet sheets were soft. The fire still burned low. But her soul?
Empty.
Like a thread had been cut. Like something — someone — had been ripped from her without warning.
She stood, bare feet touching the cold floor. The wind whispered outside her window. It called to her like a phantom lullaby.
Her legs moved before her mind caught up.
Down the silent halls.
Past the sleeping maids.
Through the moonlit gardens.
No one saw her slip through the estate gates.No one, except—
Aero.
He stepped from the shadows just as she vanished behind the trees, jaw tight, eyes sharp.
"Ren," he muttered. "Father."
Inside the estate
Duke Darius's study door burst open.
"She's gone," Aero said, storming in.
Ren looked up from the fireplace, his entire body stiffening. The Duke rose slowly, gaze turning into ice.
"Where?" he demanded.
"I don't know," Aero said. "But she left alone."
Darius clenched his fists. "Get the horses. Now."
Aurelia
The woods were dark, but they didn't scare her. Not anymore.
She didn't know where she was going. Only that she had to.
Her heartbeat guided her. Her legs burned. Her bandaged leg ached from the fall, but she pushed forward anyway.
Then she saw it.
The old border road — the one that led toward the Devil Duke's lands.
A gust of wind nearly knocked her over.
Her lips trembled.Why was she here?
Why did she need to see him again?
Suddenly—
A hand gripped her wrist.
"Running off into death again, little wolf?"
Her eyes widened.
Him.
The son of the Devil Duke stood in the moonlight, his voice silk and venom.
His hair was blacker than night. His gaze? Predatory. Hungry.
But something else flickered in his eyes when he looked at her.
Concern.
"Why are you here?" he asked.
"I don't… I don't know," she whispered. "I just… needed to see you."
He smirked — but it wasn't mocking. It was dangerous. Beautiful.
"I knew you'd come back to me."
Moments later — from the trees
Three figures watched.
Aero. Ren. The Duke.
Aurelia stood in the clearing, facing the son of their enemy.
Darius's jaw clenched so hard it cracked.
"She went to him," he growled.
"Should we stop them?" Ren asked.
But the Duke held out a hand.
"Not yet."
His eyes were locked on the boy in black.
"If that bastard lays a hand on my daughter…"
His voice dropped into a deadly whisper.
"I'll rip his kingdom apart."