Irina’s POV
The world stopped. The air vanished from my lungs. Aiden Keaton, the Alpha of Shadow Pack, the biggest and strongest pack in the country, was on his knees before me.
His head bowed, his broad shoulders slumped in utter defeat. It was a sight more shocking than any confession, more devastating than any truth.
"Irina," he said, his voice a raw scrape against the silence. "I know I don’t deserve your forgiveness. I judged and condemned you, even punished you for a crime you did not commit. I let my own pain and pride blind me to a deception that now seems obvious.” He lifted his gaze; this time, his grey eyes glistened. “Irina, please, let me help you know. I can ask you to accept me as your mate. I didn’t behave like it, but please come to Shadow Pack.”
I hesitated. I won’t
