Aria POV
The first thing she felt was warmth.
Not the oppressive heat of burning silver or the fever of repressed magic—but a soft, living warmth, like firelight on skin. Her body ached, her head pounded, and her veins thrummed with something heavy and powerful.
And two scents hit her at once.
Earth and rain.
Smoke and snow.
Ronan.
Lucien.
Her eyes fluttered open. The room was dim, firelight dancing across wooden beams. She was lying on a bed, wrapped in a soft blanket, her clothes changed, her wrists bandaged.
And they were both there.
On opposite sides of the room.
Watching.
Waiting.
> "You're awake," Ronan said, voice deep and hoarse with relief. He stepped forward, stopping just shy of her bed like he wasn't sure if she'd welcome him.
Lucien, of course, didn't wait. He dropped to one knee beside her and took her hand, gently brushing his thumb across her palm.
> "You burned through enchanted chains," he murmured, eyes glowing crimson. "You shattered a binding spell older than most witches can weave. You don't even know what you are… do you?"
Aria sat up slowly. Her limbs trembled. "I'm a freak," she whispered. "A monster. My stepmother said—"
> "Your stepmother lied," Ronan cut in, voice firmer now. "You were bound. Your wolf wasn't broken. She was silenced."
Lucien added, "And your magic… isn't just werewolf or witch. It's older. Your vampire side carries a bloodline we don't understand yet."
She looked between them. "Then what am I?"
A pause.
Neither of them had an answer.
So she answered for herself.
> "I'm Aria. I'm not a mistake. I'm not wolfless. I'm not weak. I'm something new."
The fire in the hearth flared. Shadows danced. Her magic answered her heartbeat now, humming like a second voice in her chest.
Ronan stepped closer. "Do you remember anything… from when it awakened?"
She hesitated.
"I saw her."
Both men leaned in.
"My mother."
Lucien went still.
Aria's voice trembled. "She had the same red hair. Her eyes… one was green, one was gold. She was surrounded by wolves, witches… even vampires. She was powerful. She was—" Aria choked, "—afraid."
"She died hiding me."
Lucien's jaw clenched. "That vision… it wasn't just memory. It was magic-blood recall. Only ancient hybrids carry it."
"Then she was like me," Aria whispered.
"No," Ronan said. "You're stronger."
A silence fell between them.
But the bond pulsed.
Three hearts.
Three souls.
Tangled by fate.
> "This changes everything," Lucien finally said. "The vampire courts will want her. The witches will hunt her. The Alphas—"
"They'll come for her," Ronan finished. "Unless we kill them first."
Aria looked between her mates and, for the first time, felt something that wasn't fear.
It was belonging.
> "Let them come," she said. "Let the world know I'm not hiding anymore."
Her wolf howled inside her.
Her magic sparked.
Her vampire blood sang.
She was ready.