The three continued to catch up over tea and they ordered from a cafe in front of the building.

Aria loved the time she spent with the mated pair but she also knew they had work to do so she bid them farewell with a promise to see them again the next day since she was going to start her job soon.

Travis and Alyssa hugged her before she finally left.

Because she really loved the pie she ate, she decided to drop by the cafe to order more pie so she could share it with Knight as a simple thank you for accommodating her in his home.

After buying the pie, Aria saw a flower shop across the street too. She stared at the roses inside one of the steel buckets and immediately remembered her Kiana again.

Without thinking much about it, she walked towards the flower shop and bought a dozen of the pretty red roses that reminded her of her daughter.

Aria was holding the bouquet of roses in her hand when she got a taxi she informed the driver to take her to the bridge that overlays the Hudson since she knew she couldn't go to Carter’s private cemetery.

The omega immediately felt a sudden rush of emotion the moment she got out of the taxi. Her grip tightened on the flowers as he stepped towards the river.

Aria Put the box of pie on the bench before she walked towards the river.

It was a blessing there was no one around her during that time she decided to go there because she could at least pour her heart out as she slowly threw away the bouquet of red roses into the river.

"I miss you so much, my Angel. I hope that wherever you are now, you are happier. Please watch over your mama, my baby. I promise to visit you soon. Just wait for me a little longer. I love you so much, baby." She whispered as she wiped the tears falling from her eyes.

It's been 3 years since she lost her and yet her heart was still bleeding as if she just lost her again.

The longing she feels always reminds her that she is incomplete and that no one can fill that hole in her heart anymore.

Aria Smiled bitterly to herself. She knows she will never feel complete again, not when her Kiana will never come back again.

The omega stayed a little longer on the bridge before she finally decided to go back to Knight's place again.

Knight was already waiting for her when she arrived at his house

"Knight hey."

"Hey Aria, how did it go?" He asked about the result of her 'job interview'?” The alpha didn’t know that she was actually friends with the CEO of the company.

"Hmmmm, wait. I bought a pie to thank you. We can share it with Justin too." Aria said trying to tease the old who seemed to be more excited than she was.

The omega walked towards the kitchen to get a plate for the pie so Knight followed her too.

"Thank you for the pie Aria, but seriously what happened to the interview?" the pure blood asked again before accepting the pie given to him.

"I got in! I will finally start my job in two days!" Ariabeams excitedly as she informs the older about her new job.

"Wow! That's great Ria! I'm gonna call Justin and ask him to make a reservation. This calls for a celebration! We are going to have dinner outside tonight." Knight said as he fished out his phone from his pocket.

The pure-blood alpha was too excited to notice how Aria froze upon hearing her call her name the way Cyrus used to call her.

"K-Knight we don't need to go outside and spend another……"

"Come on Ria, you just came back. I'm sure you would love the place! Justin and I love to eat there. Besides, please Aria don’t mention the money. If you're thinking that I got my money from my dad, you're wrong. I have my own source of funds." Knight says and winks at her.

"But I thought you're not a businessman?" Aria asked, now a little confused.

"Well, sort of since I really don't work as a businessman. Desmond, another friend of mine, is handling it for me. So please don't think of it anymore." Knight said with an encouraging smile.

"Okay, I just can't help it sometimes. I don't want to be a bother." Aria Says her voice a little softer than usual.

Knight almost forgot how to breathe when he stared at the omega in front of him.

"You will never be a bother to me Aria," he uttered after pulling himself together.

The two finished their pie before they went to their bedroom to prepare for their dinner.

Aria Is a little nervous but when she learns that Justin would be joining them, she relaxes a little.

Knight on the other hand is beyond excited. The alpha was still smiling to himself when he enters his bathroom to take a quick shower for their dinner.

"She is so beautiful," he mumbles to himself again. He was about to open the shower when he heard his phone ring again.

"Yes Justin?"

"Just wanna confirm your reservation tonight it’s by 7. Table for 2 at Pierre. Please tell me you told Aria I can't make it. I really have to attend Aster’s dance recital." Justin said with an apologetic voice.

"I haven't told her yet but I'm sure she would understand. Please extend my regards to Aster and tell him that I already ordered the player I promised him the last time." Knight smiled even though he knew his best friend wouldn't see him.

"You are spoiling my brother too much. But thanks. And enjoy the night! Who knows, Aria might…..”

"Shut up Justin! We saw her mark, I'm not going to pressure her to date me. And I don’t want to add more problems to her life " Knight’s voice suddenly became so serious when he said that.

Justin nods even when his best friend couldn't see him.

"You are really a good man Knight. I really wish you would meet someone who will also give you what you deserve." Justin said with a fond smile.

"Stop being sap, got to go now. I have dinner to prepare for." Knight said before he ended the call.

******+++++++**+**+*+************

Alex arrived as early as 6pm knowing that her date with Cyrus Carter wasn't just like a normal dinner between two adults because they would bring Kiana with them.

She hated the fact that Cyrus only agreed to have dinner with her whenever they brought Kiana. It's as if the pure-blood alpha just wanted to take her out to dinner so she could babysit the little girl.

"Kiana, come here angel Let's tie your shoelaces. Your Daddy is on his way to pick us up now." Alex called the little girl but Kiana just gave her a straight face.

The little girl's nanny can't help but giggle upon seeing the exchange of the two.

"With all due respect Miss, when will you stop pretending that you care for her? Even the child knows you're faking it." Felicia the nanny gritted her teeth as she finally voiced out her dislike with the pretentious bitch.

Alex’s eyes turned red the moment she heard the nanny speak to her like that.

"How dare you speak to me that way? I could just snap your head right at this moment?" Alex threatened the older woman but the omega smirked at her.

"Do it and let's see what will happen to you. The whole house is full of CCTV and you know that. Cyrus might not hear our conversation in the video but he will see everything." Felicia said with confidence.

Alex was just about to reply when the door burst open.

"Are you ready for dinner? Where's my angel?" Cyrus asked the two adults since Kiana was still lying on the carpeted floor.

"Here. Daddy! Kiki is here!" the little girl exclaims standing up to show herself to her father.

"Oh my! There you are, my beautiful sunflower. Come here and Daddy kisses.”

“We're going to Pierre for your favorite pumpkin soup!" Cyrus says as he scoops his daughter from the floor and peppers her with tiny kisses.

"Yay! Daddy and Kiki will have pumpkin soup!" the little girl cheered ignoring the alpha female watching them in the living room.

Cyrus was having a chat with his little angel when his phone started to ring.

"Someone is calling you after work? I thought you already gave your assistant your work phone?" Alex commented when she saw Cyrus putting down his daughter to answer the call.

The pure blood alpha sighed. It's true that he already gave his phone to his assistant but he has to get another one because he was waiting for Dylan’s update on Aria every now and then. 

But of course ,he couldn't tell that to the alpha female so he just smiled at her.

"I forgot to leave it today. Can you please make sure Kiana is ready while I take this call. I promise it will be quick." Cyrus said as he walked towards his home office.

Alex smiled back when she heard the pure blood's soft voice.

"Okay then Russ, I'll make sure Kiana is ready." Alex replied with her usual fake smile and tone.

When the pure blood alpha is out of sight , Alex turns to Felicia who's still quietly watching them.

"What are you still doing standing there? Go grab the scent blocker!" Alex snarled at the omega who just rolled her eyes at her.

"Mr. Cyrus didn't even say anything about scent blocker. Why would you use it on Kiana?" Felicia asked but Alex flashes her red eyes on her.

"You wouldn't want me to calm Julius to pay you a visit, right? Now go grab the scent blocker for Kiana." Alex gritted her teeth before she forced herself to smile again like nothing happened.

Felicia wanted to refuse but she knows better. She has been Kiana’s nanny ever since she was born and to be honest, she already planned to leave before if it wasn't for the little girl.

Cyrus Carter  is the kindest pure blood alpha she has ever met but his father is the missing twin brother of Lucifer himself. 

Julius Carter is a monster disguised in a human form. She was there when the older man watched his own wife die struggling. 

She was there when the old man kicked out his own son's mate. She was there when he started to plot his plan in making his own son his puppet just because of his greed.

Felicia wanted to leave but she couldn’t because Julius knew that she knew a lot and her family would be in danger once she leaves.

So, just the mention of the old man's name and she is already stumbling to get the scent blocker for the poor little girl who knows nothing about the cruelty of the world.

Alex has already put the scent blocker on Kiana when Cyrus appears in the living room again.

 The pure alpha looks disappointed and as much as Alex was dying of curiosity what made him sad, he just ignored it. What matters to her is the alpha will finally take her out on a date. 

She already called her friends in the press just to make sure they would be spotted. She even gave them the name of the restaurant the moment Cyrus announced where they were going.

Cyrus knitted his eyebrows when he noticed that his daughter was wearing an artificial scent. Felicia had sprayed a fruity scent on Kiana so she wouldn't smell weird.

"Felicia, why is my little princess wearing a scent blocker?" Cyrus asked while scooping his daughter from the floor.

"Cy, you know how dangerous people are out there. I suggested it to Felicia. Please don't get mad at her, we just want the best for Kiana." Alex said while touching the pure blood alpha's biceps. 

She even flashed her annoying sweet smile to convince the alpha.

Cyrus looks at Felicia who was speechless before he nods at Alex seemingly agreeing with her.

"I guess you're right. No one deserves to take a whiff of my angel. Thanks Ali, you're really taking good care of my princess." Cyrus smiled fondly at the alpha female who has always been there for him and Kiana.

"Of course Russ, always for you and our little princess." Alex replied with the sweetest smile.

Felicia on the side almost threw up at the scene in front of her but since Cyrus seems to be at peace with, she just keeps quiet again.

The three finally left the house after Cyrus informed the older woman to take a rest and not wait for them.

Alex felt like a victor when Cyrus pulled over in front of the restaurant. She already spotted the paparazzi waiting for them. She quickly put on lipstick just to make sure she still looks beautiful despite the 'stolen shots'.

Cyrus on the other hand was oblivious to everything and opened the door of his car for his daughter but since Kiana was sitting with Alex at the back, it looks like he was taking care of her too.

The three of them entered the restaurant with smiles on their faces.

"Daddy! Kiki wants the pumpkin soup and the strawberry dip!" Kiana excitedly informs her father of her order.

Cyrus smiled at his daughter. He loves how at 3 years old, Kiana already knew what she wanted. 

A trait she clearly took from her mother. Even her love for strawberries reminds Cyrus of Aria.

Alex knowing that fact and wasn’t really happy that the little girl likes the same fruit her mother used to love.

"Angel Kiana, why don't we order oranges instead? Or maybe grapes? Strawberry dips are too sweet and---"

"KiKi wants strawberries and Kiki is not angel. I’m is daddy's pwincess.'' The little girl even moved closer to her father as if embarrassing Alex in front of the waiter isn't enough.

Cyrus chuckles at his daughter's cuteness. Even the waiter praised the little girl's choices of food while Alex was starting to get annoyed. 

But since Cyrus was with them and she knows that other people in the restaurant already recognized them, she forced a smile again.

"Oh, of course princess. Strawberry it is then!" She agreed to the little girl's wish begrudgingly.

Cyrus ordered his food too but the pure blood alpha didn't even bother to ask her what she likes so Alex enumerated her own order to the waiter.

The three of them fell into light conversation mostly led by the little girl. They are so into their little chat that they didn’t even notice the new pair of dazzling wolves entering the restaurant at that time.

"Woah, Knight you didn't tell me we were  coming to a palace like this? I mean, this is too much and i feel like i don't belong here “ Aria says and leans closer to the table when she whispers because she's embarrassed that other people might hear her but Knight just laughs out loud at her cuteness.

“Oh come on Aria Have you looked at yourself in the mirror? You are so beautiful” Knight blurted out.

They are both surprised because Knight didn't plan to say that out loud because he didn’t want Aria to feel like he's hitting on her when they're just starting to build their friendship.

Aria couldn’t  help but blush in front of the pure blood too. She didn't even know that Knight found her beautiful.

"I...oh moon. This is so awkward. I'm sorry for ruining your celebration Aria. What i meant to say was...well, i didn't actually mean to say that you are not beautiful because you are but....oh fuck! I'm...."

"Hey Knight....it's okay. Uhmmmm, and thank you for finding me beautiful." Aria uttered with a shy smile.

Knight couldn’t help but smile wider when he realized what She said.

"You don't think I'm weird?" he asked just to make sure he didn't push Aria away.

"No but if you ask one more time then maybe you're really weird." Aria teased.

The two of them stared at each other for a couple of seconds before they burst out laughing at each other.

For the first time since she got back , Aria feels like he has found a new friend...maybe an ally to face the war ahead of her.

The two of them ordered their food but it's mostly Knight who ordered since Aria was really unfamiliar with all the french names in the menu.

"Ky you have to try their strawberry dip here, it's delicious." Knight suggested and of course upon the mention of her favorite fruit, the omega beams immediately.

The two continue to get to know one another over their appetizers and glasses of wine.

Since Aria used to work in a bar back in New Zealand, she isn't worried about getting drunk; she could handle her alcohol. 

The omega was so happy to learn new things about her new housemate. It has been only 2 days since he met the older pure blood alpha and yet she feels like she has known him forever.

The Knight Ashbourne in front of her was very different from the heir of the Prime Minister. 

He wasn’t as cold as people thought he was. He cracks corny jokes that make her laugh in no time, a total opposite to his mysterious and strict persona in front of the crowd.

Aria is very happy to know the more human side of the pure blood and she realized that it would be a good change for her too. 

She feels like she would learn a lot from the older so she has decided to stay with him as long as she is wanted there.

She just made a mental note to help pay the bills even though she knows that Knight won't be needing her money.

"So how about you Ky? I keep talking about myself but you really haven't told me anything about yourself aside from your passion for music." Knight said before he took a sip of his wine.

Aria swallowed the liquid in her mouth before she smiled at the older. She knows Knight needs to know the truth about her too if she was to stay under his roof.   

The pure blood alpha already told her about his ex that didn't work too so the omega thought of opening up to him as well. 

She was a little nervous about peeling another layer of her carefully crafted mask  and peeling  wounds in front of her new friend but Aria  pushed the negative thoughts at the back of her mind.

"I'm...well I was mated and married before . My life story isn't really a fairy tale. It was...a tragedy." Aria said while trying to calm her pounding heart. 

She doesn't know why she feels like someone is pressing a hot iron in her mating mark all of a sudden. 

The pain she suddenly felt was very new to her too but since she's in the restaurant with many other people around them, she just couldn't press on it.

"Is that why you're wearing a scent blocker? Because you don't want anyone else scenting you or does it have something to do with your...mark?" Knight asked, his eyes focused on her eyes as if he's trying to read what's inside the Omega's heart.

Aria looked down. She couldn't meet the pure blood alpha's eyes because she was afraid of what she would see.

"I want to say no but...yes. I'm not supposed to be back here in NY. I...well my ex husband and the father of my daughter doesn't want me to be here anymore so I made a deal with his father. I wasn't supposed to come back and---"

"Wait a minute Aria! Did you just say you have a daughter you haven't seen for years?" Knight’s voice suddenly sounded like a real pure blood. 

Even his eyes turned red for a second but surprisingly, Aria didn't even flinch. She isn't scared of the older.

"She...my daughter….she's gone." Aria’s silent voice suddenly feels like a dagger that pierced into Knight’s heart. 

He doesn't know why he suddenly felt so sorry for the younger that he even stood up from his seat just so he could hug her.

"I'm so sorry. My moon. I'm so sorry that you went through all that alone Aria. I'm here now, I promise no one can touch you here now." Knight whispered as he pulled the younger's head to his chest.

The two were in that position when Alex passed by their table. The alpha even rolled her eyes thinking how annoying the couple are for displaying their affection in public. Only if Cyrus could learn to show her some affection too.

Alex took another glance at the couple only to freeze the moment she saw the face of  the blonde who's hugging the pure blood lift her head. 

She felt like her blood turned ice the moment he recognized the one being comforted by the pure blood alpha who turned out to be Knight Ashbourne , the only heir of the Prime Minister.

"Aria Thomson" she uttered to herself before he remembered that Cyrus and Kiana  are with her in the same restaurant.