Chapter 5 Partners In Crime

• Aria’s POV
• Valen sat across from me, holding the freshly printed architectural blueprints between his fingers. He wore a half-smirk, eyes locked on my face like he was savoring some private joke.
• “The Blackwood Pack’s pride and joy—the ‘Skyshield’ defense system—was designed by you.”
• His voice was low and smooth, with that kind of confidence that didn’t ask for permission. “Still planning to keep it a secret from me? The lead defense architect codenamed ‘Cipher.’”
• Hearing “Cipher” made my grip on the cup tighten like a vice.
• That codename had been buried deep for five years. I thought it was long forgotten.
• I set the cup down and slowly lifted my head.
• “Yeah, that’s me.” I straightened my back without even thinking, my eyes blazing with confidence and cold pride.
• “So, you’re trying to use this as leverage against me?” I stared him down.
• “Leverage? Nah, I don’t stoop to cheap tricks.” Valen’s lips curled into a teasing grin as he handed me the blueprints.
• “My defense network is solid, sure, but some of the core logic is outdated. I need someone who can turn it into an impenetrable fortress.”
• He paused, eyes burning straight into mine:
• “And you—are the only one in the entire territory who can pull that off. Cipher’s design style is one of a kind. That perfect blend of defense and offense? No one else can copy it.”
• I took the blueprints, and just a few glances were enough to spot several logic flaws.
• “I can help you.”
• I looked up and slammed the blueprints down on the coffee table. “But I have one condition.”
• “Name it.” Valen looked at me, his gaze lacking the usual kingly arrogance. Instead, there was a hint of something softer—almost indulgent.
• “I want revenge on Lucas. I want the whole Blackwood Pack to pay.”
• Just saying his name froze the warmth in my eyes into ice, my voice dripping with bitter cold.
• Lucas didn’t just betray our marriage. He stole years of my hard work for that so-called “white moonlight” Selina, even going so far as to call me a thief.
• That grudge? I wasn’t about to swallow it.
• I grabbed a red pen and drew a fierce circle around the core area on the Blackwood Pack’s territory map.
• “Lucas thinks the ‘Skyshield’ system is his lucky charm, his bragging rights. But he forgot one thing—every line of code in this system was hammered out by me.”
• ```
• I paused for a moment, then looked up at Valen with a cruel, satisfied smirk: “With just one command, the defense system flips instantly—the energy shield that normally pushes outward will collapse inward, turning into a high-pressure prison that lets nothing out. When that happens, whether it’s Lucas or Selina, they’re trapped with no way to escape.”
• After saying that, I traced a circle lightly on his chest, like I was showing him how the formation worked.
• I slowly lifted my head to meet Valen’s gaze.
• He didn’t say a word, just stared at me quietly.
• “If you think I’m too ruthless…” I pretended to stay calm.
• Valen suddenly chuckled softly and stepped closer.
• “Ruthless?”
• He came right up to me, gently lifting my chin, his eyes openly full of admiration.
• “Aria, do you know how damn captivating you looked just now?”
• He bent down and nuzzled my nose affectionately, his voice low and husky. “You’re like a white rose covered in thorns. And me? I’m exactly the kind of guy who loves getting pricked.”
• “What am I supposed to do?” His thumb brushed over my lips softly. “You, with your cold, calculating ways that cut to the bone… you’re driving me crazy with how obsessed I am.”
• He lowered his head, our breaths mingling.
• “Deal. You lock the cage tight, and I’ll… finish the job for you.”
• “Pleasure doing business with you, my… Queen.”
• I hesitated for a second, then wrapped my fingers around his.
• But the moment our hands touched—
• It was like a jolt of electricity shot through me, racing wildly all over my body.
• My legs gave out, and I stumbled backward, completely out of control. Valen was quick—he caught me around the waist in one smooth move.
• Shit.
• This wasn’t just an electric shock.
• It was…
• My womb, silent for five years, screaming to life, waking up like a beast.
• It was contracting, trembling, desperate to be filled.
• My body instinctively craved release, craved… the comfort of this powerful Alpha standing right in front of me.
• Valen’s body instantly stiffened, hard as iron.
• “Aria…”
• His voice changed—raw, animalistic, barely held back. The hand gripping my waist tightened suddenly, like a vice.
• That deadly pull wiped my mind clean.
• “Valen…”
• His Adam’s apple bobbed violently as he dropped his head, lips nearly brushing my skin.
• “Damn it!”
• He cursed under his breath and shoved me away hard.
• “Stay away from me!”
• He spun around and rushed to the glass liquor cabinet in the corner, fumbling frantically until he pulled out a blue syringe. Without hesitation, he snapped off the cap and plunged the thick needle deep into his own arm!
• The blue medicine slid into his vein. Valen let out a low grunt, one hand bracing against the cabinet as he gasped for air.
• It took him a full minute to catch his breath.
• He walked over and dropped to one knee in front of me.
• “Don’t be afraid.”
• “Aria, I’m not after your body’s submission—I want your heart.”
• “Until you nod willingly, I won’t touch you. That’s my respect for you.”
• No sooner had he spoken than urgent knocking came from outside the door.
• “Boss, bad news!”
• The guard’s voice was thick with anger. “Alpha Lucas from the Blackwood Pack is blocking the territory gate with his men! He says if you don’t hand over… his wife, he’s breaking in!”
• Lucas.
• The man who called me “runaway wife” on the wanted posters, who called me “wife” at the gate, but never once gave me an ounce of respect in the past five years.
• “Wife?” I sneered. “I thought those five years of pathetic ‘atonement’ were settled. Guess he still can’t let me go.”
• Valen slowly stood up.
• The smile curling on his lips was bloodthirsty enough to freeze your soul.
• “Breaking in? He’s got some nerve.”
• Valen turned to me and reached out his hand.
• This time, it wasn’t a test—it was an invitation.
• “Let’s go. Since the prey just walked right into our trap…” The smile on Valen’s lips deepened as he took my hand, his voice dripping with cruelty: “Let’s see how he looks when the shield he’s so proud of turns into a cage.”
• I took a deep breath, pressing my hand firmly into his palm, fingers intertwining.
• “Alright. Let’s settle this once and for all.”
• ```