Chapter 68
Aria’s POV
I left his office and headed back to my team. They were already making plans for tonight’s celebration, debating whether to hit a bar after dinner.
“Aria!” Diana waved me over. “Where should we meet? And what’s the dress code p>
“I’ll text you the address. And dress nice. “I smiled at their excitement, but my mind was already elsewhere. The high of finishing the project was fading, replaced by an unexpected urge.
I wanted to tell Damian.
The thought caught me off guard. Why did I care what he thought?Our arrangement was purely physical—convenient, transactional.
But my fingers were already pulling up his contact before I could talk myself out of it.
The phone rang once. Twice. Three times.
Then it went to voicemail.
I stared at the screen, feeling foolish. Of course he didn’t answer. He was probably in some high-level Pack meeting, dealing with Alpha King business that made my corporate victories look insignificant by comparison.
I should hang up. Forget about it.
Instead, I scrolled through my contacts until I found Rick’s number. Damian’s Beta had given it to me weeks ago, insisting I should have it “just in case p>
Rick answered on the second ring. “Miss Smith. Is everything alright p>
“I’m fine,” I said quickly. “I was just trying to reach Damian, but he’s not picking up. Is he… busy p>
There was a pause on the other end. Too long.
“He’s unavailable at the moment,” Rick said carefully.
My stomach tightened. Something in his tone was off. “Unavailable how p>
“He’s handling Pack business p>
“Rick.” I kept my voice level, but firm. “Is he okay p>
Another pause. Longer this time.
“He’s fine,” Rick said finally. But something in his voice told me that was a lie.
“Really?” I pressed, my instincts screaming at me. “Because you don’t sound convinced. I heard he is hurt p>
“Miss Smith, where did you hear that? The King ordered that information kept internal p>
“So he is hurt.” My grip on the phone tightened. “Rick, tell me the truth. Was Damian injured p>
I could hear Rick’s internal struggle in the silence that followed. Loyalty to his Alpha warring with whatever instinct told him I had a right to know.
“There were complications during the fight.” he said at last, his voice low.
“The rogues were more organized than we expected. Damian took several serious injuries protecting the younger wolves in his kingdom p>
Of course he did. Of course Damian had thrown himself into danger to protect others. The realization made my chest ache in ways I didn’t want to examine.
“How serious?” I managed to ask.
“He handled the threat, but he took significant damage in the process. Nothing life-threatening,” he added quickly. “But he needs time to heal p>
My heart was pounding now, my earlier triumph completely forgotten. “Put him on the phone p>
“Miss Smith, he can’t take calls right now p>
The careful way Rick said it made my blood run cold. Damian’s injuries were worse than he was letting on.
“Where. Is. He p>
“The Royal Medical Center in the capital. But he specifically instructed me not to tell anyone about his condition p>
“Text me the address p>
“I don’t think that’s a good idea p>
“Rick.” I was already grabbing my purse, my keys. “Either you text me the address, or I’ll find it myself. Your choice p>
Another heavy sigh. “He’s going to have my head for this p>
“I’ll take full responsibility. Just send it p>
My phone buzzed thirty seconds later with a location pin.
The capital. That was an eight-hour flight from here.
I turned to my team, who were still chattering excitedly about dinner plans.
“Diana, can you handle the reservations? Something came up p>
She frowned. “Is everything okay p>
“Yeah. Just… something I need to take care of.” I forced a smile. “Go celebrate. You all earned it. I’ll catch up with you later p>
Before anyone could ask questions, I was out the door and heading for the parking garage.
“Aria?” Lucas caught up with me, his expression concerned. “What’s wrong? You look like you’ve seen a ghost p>
“I—” My voice came out strangled. “I have to go. I need to get to the airport right now p>
“What happened p>
“There’s been an emergency. I have to get to the capital immediately p>
His eyes searched my face, and I knew he could see the panic I was trying to hide. “Is it urgent p>
I nodded, not trusting my voice.
“The Crescent Moon Pack has a private jet,” Lucas said without hesitation. “I can have it ready for you within the hour. It’ll get you there much faster than any commercial flight p>
Relief flooded through me. “Are you sure? I don’t want to impose p>
“It’s not an imposition. Let me make the call p>
“Thank you,” I whispered, grateful beyond words that I wouldn’t have to navigate airports and delays while my heart was breaking with worry.