Chapter 8
That was a blessing from the Moon Goddess, only obtainable by the most powerful warriors.
The moonlight gem pulsed with ethereal light in my palm, its surface smooth and warm despite the cool evening air.
Seeing the blood stains on the gem that wouldn’t wipe away, I realized what brutal battles he must have endured to finally
obtain it.
My fingers trembled as I traced the dark stains. Each mark told a story of violence, of Kane fighting for his life just to bring me
this gift.
My eyes immediately welled up. “Kane, you’re hurt.”
The gem was beautiful, but the price he’d paid for it made my heart ache.
“How badly are you injured? Show me.”
Kane panicked and knelt beside me, his hands fluttering around me as if he didn’t know where to touch.
“Aria, don’t worry about me.”
“I’m fine. I’m a powerful Alpha with terrifyingly strong bloodlines. These small injuries heal with rest.”
But I could see the carefully hidden pain in his eyes, the way he favored his left side. When he’d knelt down, I’d caught the slight wince he’d tried to hide.
“Small injuries?” I reached toward his shirt. “Let me see.”
Kane caught my hand gently but firmly. “I’m healing already. By tomorrow, there won’t even be scars.”
“That’s not the point. You could have died getting this for me.”
His eyes softened. “It was worth it.”
“No, it wasn’t. I don’t need gifts that cost you your safety.”
“This time when I went to Red Stone pack, I brought back a surprise for you. But if you keep looking so worried, I won’t give it to
you.”
My eyes reddened. “Kane, you wouldn’t dare.”
He laughed, the sound rich and warm. “Try me.”
Despite his teasing, I could see the exhaustion in his features. The trip to Red Stone pack, the battles for the gem, the worry about my reaction to Harper’s letter – it was all taking its toll.
What Kane brought back was a letter Harper had written for me.
I recognized her handwriting immediately, and my heart clenched with homesickness.
“She wrote this for me?”
“I waited three days for her to return from her business trip. She was very concerned about you.”
I unfolded the letter carefully, my hands shaking slightly.
“Aria, I’ve missed you so much since you left.”
