"Aria, go find it."

Gabriel's eyes turned cold as he ordered me into the sea.

Then, he soothed Irene by stroking her hair, apologizing on my behalf and taking the blame himself.

My hands clenched into tight fists. A bitter lump rose in my throat, making it hard to draw a breath.

"I didn't do it. Why should I go?"

My calm voice interrupted their intimate moment.

I turned and went back to our room. My phone buzzed.

Ding!

"What's the address?"

It was Dominic Ravencrest.

I didn't have time to reply.

Gabriel burst in and pulled me into his arms.

He whispered softly, trying to soothe me.

"Aria, you know how fragile she's been since my brother died."

"I had no choice. Can't you just let it go, for her sake?"

For a moment, it felt like the mate who loved me had returned.

My heart warmed for a second, but then I realized something was wrong.

The drawer had been rummaged through, and the room's incense had been replaced with a strange, cloying sweet scent.

I was about to ask him about it when I noticed his gaze was locked on Irene outside the window.

And on his neck, a faint red bite mark was just visible.

I clearly heard my inner wolf let out a painful whimper.

It took me a long moment to find my voice.

"...The Soul-Blight Blood Curse I took... was it all to spare Irene?"

His body went stiff.

Seconds later, Irene's wails started up again.