Mated To My Mate's Worst Enemy (ARIA) novel Chapter 146

Chapter 146

ARIA

M

Finished

“Possible,” Nina had agreed. “Though that raises questions about how they got past our border patrols. And why they’d risk it when official visits could have been arranged through proper channels.”

“Or it could be someone from here,” Ivory said thoughtfully. “Someone who has personal history with Damon. Someone he manipulated into visiting him.”

My blood had run cold at that. Because Ivory’s speculation was uncomfortably close to the truth-Damon had manipulated me into visiting. Had gotten that note into my chambers somehow, had known exactly what to say to make me come despite all logic screaming it was a terrible idea.

“We’ll know soon enough,” Nina had said. “The facility is going through their records carefully. Cross-referencing visitor logs with security footage. It’s just a matter of time before we identify who it was.”

“Keep me updated,” Ivory had requested. “If it turns out to be someone trying to help Damon or coordinate with him somehow, that’s a threat to pack security. To my security, specifically, given his obsession with Aria and his role in the attacks on me.”

“Of course,” Nina had agreed. “You’ll be informed as soon as we have confirmation.”

I’d walked away quickly then, before they could emerge and find me listening. But the conversation had confirmed my worst fears-they were actively investigating, cross-referencing records, getting closer to identifying me with every passing hour.

It was just a matter of time.

Sitting across from Kael now, watching him eat and talk and act perfectly normal, I wondered how much time I actually had. Hours? Days? And should I use that time to confess, or should I wait and hope somehow the investigation would fail to connect me to the visit?

The rest of the evening passed in the same agonizing limbo. Kael walked me back to our chambers after dinner, kissed my forehead gently, and told me to get some rest. He had more work to do something about coordinating with border patrols about increased security measures-but he’d be back later.

I lay in bed, unable to sleep, listening for the sound of his return. When he finally did come back, well past midnight, he undressed quietly in the dark and slipped into bed beside me. His arm came around my waist, pulling me against him in the familiar sleeping position we’d

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Chapter 146

developed over the past weeks.

“Still awake?” he murmured against my hair.

“Can’t sleep,” I admitted quietly.

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“Want to talk about what’s bothering you?” His thumb traced gentle circles on my hip, a soothing gesture that made guilt twist in my chest.

“No,” I said. “Just… hold me?”

“Always,” he promised, and tightened his embrace.

I lay there in the dark, feeling the warmth of his body against mine, the steady rhythm of his breathing, the security of being held by someone who cared about me despite my own self- destructive tendencies.

And I wondered how much longer I’d have this. How much longer before my stupidity destroyed what we’d been building.

Sleep, when it finally came, was restless and filled with nightmares about being dragged before the pack council, about Kael’s face when he learned what I’d done, about losing everything I’d been fighting so hard to keep.

The

I’d

pattern continued for days. Each morning, I’d wake expecting to be confronted. Each day, go about my duties—hearings, meals with Kael, administrative work—while waiting for the axe to fall. Each night, I’d lie awake beside my mate, guilt eating at me while he slept peacefully, unaware that I was keeping such a significant secret from him.

Kael kept trying to find out what was wrong. He’d ask gently, offer support, create opportunities for me to confide in him. And each time, I’d deflect. Tell him I was fine. Blame my distraction on tiredness or stress from my work.

He didn’t believe me—I could see it in his eyes, feel it through our bond. But he didn’t push. Just kept being supportive and patient, kept showing up with small gestures of affection.

The notes continued appearing. Little messages left where I’d find them-on my desk, tucked into books I was reading, propped against the bathroom mirror. Nothing elaborate. Just simple expressions of affection and encouragement.

*Thinking of you. Hope your day is going well. —K**

*Heard you settled a particularly difficult dispute today. I’m proud of you. —K*

*Missing you. Can we have lunch together? -K*

He took me on picnics when he could steal time away from Alpha duties. Quick trips to quiet

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Chapter 146

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