Chapter 51. A Promise

Aries POV

The farther we moved from the pack grounds, the heavier the air grew. It lingered in my chest like smoke, thick, bitter, and impossible to ignore.

Behind us, Rex had melted into the crowd, her laughter still echoing in my mind. That sound steadied me, anchored me. But walking beside Julian now with that storm brewing in his usually unbothered face snuffed the warmth out of me fast.

We crossed past the tree line, out of sight, out of earshot. The forest here was quiet, too quiet. I kept glancing at him, waiting. But Julian wasn’t talking. And that in itself was enough of a red flag.

Finally, I stopped. “Julian,” I said, sharp and steady. “Just say it.”

He turned, eyes dark with something I didn’t often see on him , hesitation. “What I’m about to say, Aries… I should’ve told