CHAPTER 19: SANCTUARY AND SECRETS
1250words
The emergency responders found me in the lobby, nursing a split lip and what would probably be a spectacular black eye tomorrow. The Silver Moon guards had been detained by academy security—assaulting a student on school grounds was serious business, even for visiting Alphas.
"Where is she?" Dominic demanded for the twentieth time, his composure finally cracking.
"I don't know," I replied honestly. And I didn't—Noah had gotten Aria out before I could see which direction they'd gone.
"You helped her escape," Vanessa accused, dabbing at a scratch on her arm. "Your own brother's fiancée."
"She's not property," I said flatly, meeting Dominic's furious gaze. "And she's not yours."
"She's bound by contract—"
"A contract she never agreed to." I stood up, ignoring the protest from my bruised ribs. "You want to know where she is? I'll tell you. She's free. And that's where she's going to stay."
Dominic's eyes flashed dangerously. "You're my brother. Your loyalty should be to family."
"My loyalty is to my mate."
The words hung in the air like a bomb waiting to explode. Vanessa's eyes widened, and Dominic went very, very still.
"Your what?" Dominic's voice was deadly quiet.
"You heard me." I straightened to my full height, letting my own Alpha presence rise to meet his. "Aria is my mate. Not your bride, not your property—mine."
"That's impossible," Vanessa breathed. "The Moon Goddess wouldn't—"
"Wouldn't what? Choose better than an arranged marriage to a man twice her age?" I laughed bitterly. "Maybe the Moon Goddess has better taste than our families."
Dominic stepped closer, his face a mask of controlled fury. "You knew. You've known this whole time who she was."
"I knew she was running from something. I knew she was scared. And I knew that whatever she was running from, I'd protect her from it." I met his glare steadily. "I just didn't know it was my own family she was running from."
"You're choosing her over us," Dominic said. "Over pack. Over duty."
"I'm choosing love over politics. If that makes me a traitor to the family, so be it."
The security guards were approaching, probably to escort the "troublemakers" off campus. Perfect timing.
"This isn't over," Dominic warned as they were led away. "She can't run forever."
"Watch her try," I called after him.
---
Aria's POV
Noah's safehouse turned out to be a small apartment above a 24-hour diner in a part of town where nobody asked questions. The kind of place where cash was preferred and privacy was guaranteed.
"How long have you had this place?" I asked, collapsing onto the worn couch.
"Three years. Ever since I started my disguise." Noah locked the door behind us, engaging multiple deadbolts. "I always knew there might come a day when I'd need to disappear quickly."
"And you're willing to give it up for me?"
"Are you kidding?" Noah grinned tiredly. "This is the most excitement I've had in years. Besides, we girls have to stick together."
I managed a weak smile, but my heart was still back at the arena with Damon. "Do you think he's okay?"
"He's a Blackwood facing his own family. He'll be fine." Noah handed me a cup of tea. "The question is: what do we do now?"
"I don't know." I cradled the warm mug, grateful for something to hold onto. "Everything's falling apart. The wedding contract, my family's alliance, Damon's relationship with his brother..."
"And?"
"And I'm terrified that when Damon has time to really think about what I've done, he'll realize I'm not worth all this trouble."
Noah sat down across from me, expression serious. "Can I tell you something? About mates?"
I nodded.
"True mates don't care about politics or alliances or family contracts. When the Moon Goddess chooses two souls for each other, she doesn't check their social calendars first." Noah leaned forward. "What you and Damon have—that connection you feel—it's bigger than anything else."
"But I lied to him. About everything."
"You protected yourself. There's a difference."
My phone buzzed. A text from an unknown number: *This is Rafe. New phone. Are you safe?*
I quickly typed back: *With Noah. Blown cover. Need extraction plan.*
The response came immediately: *Working on it. Stay hidden. Don't trust anyone else.*
"My brothers," I explained to Noah. "They're trying to help."
"Good. You'll need all the help you can get." Noah's expression turned grim. "Because Carter's not going to stop with tonight's revelation. He'll push for a full investigation, demand academy records..."
"What are you saying?"
"I'm saying my cover is probably blown too. If they dig deep enough into my background, they'll find the same inconsistencies they found in yours."
The full weight of what I'd done hit me. By coming here, by pursuing this crazy plan, I hadn't just put myself at risk—I'd dragged down everyone who'd helped me.
"Noah, I'm so sorry—"
"Don't." They held up a hand. "I made my choice. We all did. The question now is what we do next."
Before I could answer, my phone rang. Damon's name flashed on the screen.
"Should I answer it?" I asked, heart racing.
"Do you want to?"
More than anything. I swiped to accept the call.
"Damon?"
"Thank God." His voice was rough with relief. "Are you safe?"
"I'm safe. Are you? I heard there was a fight—"
"I'm fine. Bruised but fine." A pause. "Aria... we need to talk."
"I know. I know there's so much to explain—"
"Not on the phone. Can you meet me? Somewhere private?"
I looked at Noah, who was making frantic "no" gestures.
"I... I don't know if that's safe."
"I'll come alone. Just me, I promise." His voice was intense, urgent. "Please, Aria. I need to see you."
The use of my real name sent warmth flooding through me. He wasn't angry. He wasn't rejecting the mate bond. He wanted to see me.
"Okay," I said before I could change my mind. "But not here. Somewhere public but quiet."
"The old amphitheater. Behind the academy, near the woods. Do you know it?"
I did. It was abandoned, overgrown, the kind of place where students went to be alone.
"I'll be there in an hour," I said.
After I hung up, Noah stared at me in disbelief.
"Are you insane? This could be a trap."
"It's not," I said, surprising myself with my certainty. "I can feel it through the mate bond. He's not lying."
"But this is risky now—"
"I trust Damon." I stood up, already reaching for my jacket. "I have to go, Noah. I have to know where we stand."
"Then I'm coming with you."
"No. If this goes wrong, I need you free to help get me out." I hugged them impulsively. "Thank you. For everything."
"Aria—"
"I'll be careful. But I have to do this."
As I headed for the door, Noah called after me: "If you're not back in two hours, I'm calling your brothers."
"Deal."
The night air was cold as I made my way through the shadows toward the academy. My heart hammered with every step, torn between hope and terror. In an hour, I would face the person I loved most in the world and find out if the truth had destroyed us.
Or if love really could conquer everything.
The amphitheater sat empty under the stars, waiting for what might be either a reunion or goodbye.
Either way, it was time to stop running and face whatever came next.
