Aria’s POV
The front door clicked shut behind us.
Home.
We were finally home.
I stood in the entryway of Cassius’s cottage, my hand still gripping Lina’s tiny fingers. My body felt like it weighed a thousand pounds. Every muscle ached. Every nerve was frayed.
What a day.
What an absolutely horrific day.
Lina tugged at my hand. "Mommy? Are you okay?"
No. I was very much not okay.
"I’m fine, baby." The lie came automatically. "Just tired."
I walked to the living room on legs that felt like they belonged to someone else. The couch called to me. Beckoned me with promises of rest and oblivion.
I collapsed onto it face-first.
The cushions swallowed me. Soft. Welcoming. I could have stayed there forever. Just sunk into the fabric and disappeared from the world.
Rebecca’s face flashed through my mind.
That smug smile. Those cold green eyes. The way she’d looked at Lina like she was examining roadkill.
*"Your child is defective."*
I pressed my palm against my forehead. Groaned.
Of all the people in this entire territory. Of all the parents at all the schools. It had to be HER.
Rebecca Silver Fang.
I’d only been in wolf territory for a few days. And already I’d run into Finn. Celestia. Their demon spawn Felix. And now Rebecca.
What was next? Was the universe going to drop Magnus Blood Crown on my doorstep too?
A bitter laugh escaped my throat. It hurt.
This was my life. A cosmic joke with no punchline.
Something soft pressed against my side.
I turned my head. Lina had climbed onto the couch beside me. Her small body curled against mine. Her dark hair tickled my arm.
"Mommy?"
"Yeah, baby?"
"I’m sorry."
The words were so quiet I almost missed them.
I pushed myself up onto my elbow. Looked at her properly.
Her little face was scrunched up. Those black-gold eyes—so much like his—were swimming with guilt.
"What are you sorry for?"
"For causing trouble." Her bottom lip trembled. "At school. With that mean lady. You had to leave work because of me."
My heart cracked right down the middle.
"Lina. Baby. No."
I pulled her into my arms. Held her tight against my chest. Breathed in the scent of her hair—baby shampoo and something sweet.
"This is not your fault." I kept my voice firm. Clear. "Do you hear me? None of this is your fault."
pulled back. Cupped her face in my hands. Made her look at me. "Some people in this world are just... bad. They say cruel things because they’re unhappy inside. Because hurting others makes them feel powerful. That’s their problem. Not yours."
Her eyes were still wet. Still uncertain.
"Really?"
"Really." I kissed her forehead. "You are perfect exactly the way you are. Anyone who says otherwise is an idiot."
A tiny smile flickered across her face. "Mommy, you said a bad word."
"Sometimes bad words are necessary." I smiled back. "Don’t tell Uncle Cassius."
She giggled. Actually giggled. The sound was like sunshine breaking through storm clouds.
"Lina." I took her hands. Squeezed gently. "If anyone at school says mean things to you again, I want you to tell me right away. Okay? Don’t hide it. Don’t try to deal with it alone."
She nodded slowly.
"Especially that Felix kid." The name tasted sour in my mouth. "If he gives you any trouble, you come straight to me."
"The fat boy who yells a lot?"
I almost laughed. "Yes. That one."
"He’s really annoying." Lina wrinkled her nose. "He pushed a girl yesterday because she wouldn’t give him her snack."
Of course he did. Apple didn’t fall far from the tree with that one.
"Just stay away from him if you can." I tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. "And remember—you are smart. You are brave. You are loved. No one can take that away from you."
"Okay, Mommy." She snuggled closer. "I love you."
"I love you too, baby. More than anything in the whole world."
We sat like that for a long moment. Just holding each other. The afternoon light streamed through the windows, painting golden stripes across the floor.
Eventually, Lina yawned. Big and wide, her whole face scrunching up.
"Tired?"
"A little."
"Why don’t you go lie down for a bit?" I nudged her gently. "Take a nap. I’ll wake you up for dinner."
"Will you come too?"
"In a minute. I need to make a phone call first."
She considered this. Then nodded.
"Okay." She slid off the couch. Padded toward the stairs. At the bottom step, she turned. "Mommy?"
"Yes, baby?"
"You’re the best mommy in the whole world."
And then she was gone. Climbing the stairs on her little legs. Disappearing into the second floor.
I stared at the empty staircase for a long time.
God. This kid. She was going to make me cry.
I pulled out my phone. Found Sophie’s contact. Stared at it.
I needed to talk to someone. Someone who wasn’t part of this mess. Someone who could make me feel normal again.
I hit call.