The Fake Luna: Marked By The Alpha King

Chapter 222: Chapter 222 I think I’ve got something

I pulled back just enough to look at him. Really look at him. The bruises. The cuts. The way he held himself too carefully, like every breath hurt.

"You’re not okay," I whispered, my voice cracking. "You’re hurt. You’re—"

"Healing." He cupped my face with both hands, thumbs brushing away the tears still streaming down my cheeks. "I’m healing, Aria. I promise. Wolves heal fast, remember?"

"You could have died."

"But I didn’t."

"You *could have*." My hands came up to grip his wrists, holding him to me like he might disappear if I let go.

"If you hadn’t washed up where you did. If those rogues had found you earlier. If—"

"Aria." He leaned forward, ignoring the wince of pain the movement caused, and pressed his forehead to mine.

His breath was warm against my lips, his scent—cedar and something uniquely *him*—wrapping around me like a protective blanket.

"I didn’t. I’m here. And nothing—*nothing*—is going to take me away from you again. Do you hear me?"

I nodded. Or tried to. It was hard to do anything except breathe him in, feel the warmth of his skin against mine, let the reality of him sink into my bones.

He was alive. He was here. He was *real*.

We stayed like that for a long moment. His hands on my face. My fingers clutching his wrists.

The rest of the world falling away until it was just us, just this tiny room and the sound of our breathing.

Finally—reluctantly—I pulled back far enough to really look at him again.

"You scared the hell out of me," I whispered.

"I know. I’m sorry."

"Don’t do it again."

"I’ll do my best." His mouth curved into something that was almost a smile, but it didn’t reach his eyes. Then the smile faded entirely.

"Thank you for coming. I know Ronan showing up out of nowhere must have been—"

"He showed me your ring." I swallowed hard, remembering the moment Ronan had pulled that silver band from his pocket. The way my world had tilted on its axis. "He said you needed me."

Something flickered in his eyes. Relief. Gratitude. Something deeper that made my chest tighten.