---- On the morning of the Marking ceremony, I made one last call to him. He seemed to be busy giving instructions to his Beta, Marcus, his voice a mix of impatience and excitement. He didn't pick up right away. "Ts all that footage ready? Remember, as soon as that traitor's daughter walks in, start playing it. I want every werewolf to see her true colors, and the 'crimes' of her father and mother!" "Are you sure about this? Once this footage is public, there's no going back for you. And... this is too cruel for Aria," Marcus's voice was hesitant. "Just do as I say! I've waited six years for this day! " Connor's voice was hard as iron. "And keep a close eye on her good-for-nothing mother. Make sure she doesn't try anything desperate at the ceremony!" Only after Marcus left did he finally remember the ---- missed call and pick up. "Aria? The ceremony's about to start. I'll drive over to pick you up myself. Wait for me at home." There was a hint of anticipation in his voice I almost couldn't place. "Let me tell you a secret. In ancient pack tradition, the only one an Alpha personally escorts to the ceremony is his one true Luna. Doesn't it feel like ... I'm officially marrying you all over again?" His tone was teasingly gentle. "Don't be upset anymore, hmm?" I looked at the international flight ticket in my hand, the one that would take me far away from all this, and a sarcastic smirk played on my lips. "Connor, congratulations to you and your Omega on your wedding." He seemed stunned for a moment, then chuckled, as if he'd heard a funny joke. ---- "Why are you calling me that all of a sudden today? I still prefer it when you... call me by something more intimate, honey." "Wait for me, I'll be there soon." He hung up. I turned and resolutely boarded the plane that would take me to another country. At the same time, I wiped out every contact trace linking me to him. The Marking ceremony was about to begin. My short, calm call kept replaying in Connor's mind, and that nagging unease grew stronger. Just as he was about to leave to "pick me up," Marcus burst in, looking frantic, clutching the now -dull pack talisman I'd mailed back. "It's bad! Connor! That talisman you gave Aria, she sent it back! And... it looks like Aria found out about the footage too!" ---- "She left on a long-haul flight early this morning! But... but that flight, it was just reported... it ran into an energy storm mid-flight... it crashed... went down!"