Page 46 of The Alpha's Forbidden Heir

"Elias!" she calls, breaking the tension. "Don't go too far!"

"I won't!" he replies, his voice carrying easily over the water.

I watch him for a moment longer before sitting down beside Aria on the dock. The silence between us is comfortable, filled with the sounds of the lake and Elias's laughter.

But, as always, peace doesn't last long.

"Alpha," a voice calls from behind us, breaking the moment.

I turn to see Rook approaching. His expression is tight, his usual calm demeanor replaced with something far more serious.

"What is it?" I ask, already standing.

Rook hesitates, his gaze flicking to Aria and Elias before returning to me. "We need to talk. Privately."

My stomach tightens. I nod and step away, motioning for him to follow me. Aria watches us go, her brow furrowed in concern.

Once we are out of earshot, I turn to Rook. "What's going on?"

He glances around, as if to make sure no one else can hear. "Vittorio knows."

The words hit me like a punch to the gut.

"What?" I growl, my voice low but filled with menace.

"His spies picked up on her location," Rook says. "He hasn't made a move yet, but it's only a matter of time."

I clench my fists, my wolf already growling beneath the surface. "How much does he know?"

"Enough to be a problem," Rook says grimly. "He knows she's here. And he'll assume Elias is yours."

Chapter Fourteen

Aria

Isit cross-legged on the bed, flipping through a book I'm not even reading, my mind too tangled to focus.

A sharp knock breaks through my thoughts.

Frowning, I close the book and walk to the door. When I open it, I am greeted by Rook, Bane's beta.

"Rook?" I ask, my eyebrows lifting in surprise. "What are you doing here?"

"Good evening, Aria," he says, his tone formal as always. He holds out a sleek black box with the Devereux crest embossed on it. "The Alpha asked me to deliver this to you."

I blink at the box, then back at him. "What is it?"

He shrugs nonchalantly, though there is a glint of amusement in his eyes. "Open it and find out."

I hesitate, unsure what to make of this sudden delivery. "And he couldn't bring it himself?"

Rook's lips twitch as if he wants to smile but he knows better. "The Alpha has… other matters to attend to. Enjoy the evening, Aria."

Before I can ask more questions, he nods and walks away, leaving me standing there with the mysterious box.

I carry it back inside and set it on the bed, eyeing it like it might explode. With a sigh, I undo the ribbon and lift the lid.

The contents take my breath away.

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