I Left Before He Learned My Worth novel Chapter 129

Chapter 129

ARIA

“Yes. Damon Cross. Former Alpha of Blackwood Pack.”

The guard’s expression became carefully neutral. “Is he expecting you?”

“Yes,” I said, deciding that if Damon had sent the note, he must have arranged for my visit to somehow.

The guard consulted his records again, then nodded slowly. “You’re on the approved visitor list. Though I should note that visitor permissions for Damon Cross are… unusual. Most prisoners in his situation aren’t allowed contact with anyone from the packs involved in their cases.”

“I’m aware,” I said, though I wasn’t. “Is there a problem with my visit?”

“No problem, Luna,” the guard said, though he didn’t look entirely comfortable. “I’ll need to escort you to the visitation area. Standard protocol.”

He led me through a series of corridors, each one more austere than the last. The walls were bare stone, the lighting harsh and fluorescent. We passed other cells, some occupied, some empty. The prisoners who were present watched me pass with varying degrees of interest.

Finally, we reached a section marked “High Security.” The guard unlocked a heavy door and gestured me through.

“The visitation room is there,” he said, pointing to a door at the end of the corridor. “I’ll be stationed right outside. If you need anything or feel unsafe at any point, just call out.”

“Thank you,” I managed, my mouth suddenly dry.

What was I doing here? What did I think this visit would accomplish?

But I’d come this far. Might as well see it through.

I pushed open the door to the visitation room and stepped inside.

It was small, divided by a transparent barrier that looked like reinforced glass or some kind of magical shield. On one side was a single chair, clearly meant for visitors. On the other side, another chair–and sitting in it was Damon.

He looked terrible. The time in prison had taken its toll. He’d lost weight, his face gaunt and shadowed. His hair was longer, unkempt. His clothes were the plain gray uniform of prisoners, wrinkled and ill-huing

But his eyes-his eyes were bright and alert as they fixed on me. And when he smiled, it was the same charming smile I remembered from Blackwood. The one that had made me feel special before u maske feel like a fool

“Aria,” he said, his voice slightly mulled by the barrier but still clear. You canie. I wasn’t sure we would.”

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Chapter 129

I sat in the visitor’s chair, maintaining distance even though the barrier made physical contact in How did you get a note into my chambers? The security protocols

“Are fallible,” Damon interrupted. “Everything’s fallible, Aria. You just have to find the right weaknes exploit. In this case, I found a guard who was sympathetic to my situation. Who thought my impriso was unjust. It wasn’t hard to convince him to deliver a message.

“He could be executed for that,” I said. “Helping a prisoner contact someone outside

“Only if he’s caught,” Damon said with a shrug. “Which he won’t be. Because you’re not co visit, are you? You came alone. Didn’t tell anyone where you were going. Which means you conversation to stay private.”

He was right, and we both knew it. I’d trapped myself by coming here without informing anyone.

“What do you want, Damon?” I asked, trying to sound more confident than I felt. “Why did you call me here?”

“To talk,” he said simply. “To see how you’re doing. To find out if you’re surviving in Shadowmere or if it’s destroying you the way I suspect it is.”

“I’m fine,” I said automatically.

Damon laughed, the sound harsh and bitter. “Are you? Because from what I’ve heard, you nearly died a few days ago. Nearly executed for attacking someone you were trying to save. Sounds like you’re thriving, Aria. “How do you know about that?” I demanded. “Prisoners aren’t supposed to have access to-”

“To information about the outside world?” Damon finished. “Please. The guards talk. Other prisoners share news. And when something as dramatic as a Luna nearly being hanged happens, word spreads. Everyone’s talking about it, Aria. About how close you came to death. About how your own mate was willing to execute you based on another woman’s testimony.”

The words stung because they were true. I looked away, unable to meet his knowing gaze.

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