"Dad," I said quietly into the phone, still staring at the door Aria had just walked through.
My voice was calm, but my heartbeat was wild.
"I've found my mate."
There was silence on the line.
I could hear him breathing, slow and heavy.
Then his voice came, deep and sharp.
> "Are you sure?"
"I'm sure," I said. "It's her scent. I could never forget it."
> "Good," he said finally. "Bring her home. We need to meet her."
But I couldn't answer.
How could I tell him the truth?
How could I say that my mate was Aria Crowns — the same girl he banished ten years ago?
After a moment, I ended the call.
My hands were shaking.
My chest felt tight.
I needed to think.
I needed to breathe.
I opened my contacts and called my brothers instead.
Ivar picked up first, then Alaric joined through video.
Their voices were light and teasing at first, but I couldn't even smile.
> "You look strange, Jason," Alaric said. "What's wrong? Did you finally find your mate?"
"I did," I said softly.
They both froze.
No one spoke for a few seconds.
Then Ivar leaned forward.
> "Wait… you're serious?"
"Yes. Completely."
> "Who is she?"
I looked down, my throat tight.
"It's Aria," I said quietly.
The silence that followed was heavy.
Then Alaric laughed in disbelief.
> "Aria Crowns? The banished one? Jason, she probably hates you."
"I know," I said, rubbing my face.
> "Brother, that's going to be a problem," Ivar said carefully. "Father will never—"
"I don't care," I cut him off. "I just need to see her again. I need to fix this."
They both went quiet.
Then Ivar said softly, "Do you even know where she lives?"
"No," I said. "But I will."
When the call ended, I walked to the window.
The city lights below flickered in the distance —
cars rushing, people moving fast, the world going on as if nothing had changed.
But for me, everything had.
Somewhere out there was Aria.
The girl who used to smile every time she saw me.
Now she looked at me like I was a stranger.
I couldn't stop seeing her eyes — full of anger and hurt.
I grabbed my phone again and called Liam, my assistant.
> "Liam," I said. "I need you to find someone for me. Her name is Aria Crowns. She delivered the pizza earlier."
He sounded surprised. "Yes, sir. Right away."
Fifteen minutes later, he called back.
> "Sir… there's a problem."
My stomach tightened. "What kind of problem?"
> "She's not listed anywhere. No ID, no pack record, no address under that name. It's like she doesn't exist."
My heart sank. "What do you mean?"
> "It's like she was erased, sir. But I found where she works — a small pizza shop near Rainbows Hotel."
"Send me the address," I said quickly.
I didn't wait for another word.
I grabbed my keys and left.
The shop was small and old, the sign outside faded: Sunrise Pizza.
The smell of bread and smoke filled the air.
People turned to look as I walked in — maybe because of my suit, or maybe because even humans could sense Alpha blood.
Inside, workers rushed around carrying boxes and trays.
And then I saw her.
Aria.
She stood near the counter, her hair tied back, an apron around her waist.
She was moving fast, packing an order, her hands trembling slightly.
She looked tired. Her eyes were red, like she hadn't slept.
Even like that, she looked perfect.
I took a step forward — and stopped.
Two big security guards were near the door, laughing loudly.
One of them moved closer to Aria, blocking her way.
She tried to walk past, but he pushed her back.
"Hey!" she shouted. "Leave me alone!"
They laughed again.
One leaned closer, saying something I couldn't hear.
Then he shoved her harder.
That was it.
Something inside me snapped.
My blood boiled. My wolf growled so loud inside me it hurt.
The room went silent.
I started walking toward them, each step heavier than the last.
"No one," I whispered, my voice low and dangerous,
"touches what's mine."