LOGINAria's POVNo one answered my question. Amelia stepped forward, her expression glacial."Rose Wayne. This constitutes premeditated assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm. The only reason Ms. Darvin survived is because she was lucky."Then Amelia turned toward the reporters, and the fury in her eyes burned like fire. "And all of you."The room became very quiet."You came here intending to manufacture a narrative. You came here intending to twist facts into lies."Several reporters lowered their eyes."You are the rot at the heart of this industry."Rose's face had gone completely gray. Her hands trembled as she grabbed Cynthia's sleeve.Cynthia looked exhausted, the confidence she'd carried all morning visibly draining away as her carefully constructed trap collapsed around her.Then she spoke. Her voice was too calm. "Doesn't anyone find this suspicious?"The room turned toward her."If R
Aria's POVI let my gaze sweep across the room before settling on Cynthia and Nathan. "Darvin Group is mine." My voice was calm and certain."I can say with complete certainty, in front of every reporter here and both of our distinguished guests, that I don't yet know who Darvin Group's future partners will be."I paused, then smiled. "But I know exactly who they won't be. It won't be the Wayne family." My gaze shifted briefly toward Nathan. "Nor will it be Hemsworth."The silence that followed was almost painful. I saw Nathan's brows draw together immediately. He clearly didn't appreciate being grouped together with Cynthia Wayne.Cynthia's lips curved into a cold smile. There it is. The woman had finally realized I wasn't going to bow. Not for power, not for money, not for anyone.Cynthia glanced toward Nathan, a faint irritation still visible on her face."It appears Mr. Nathan's trip was wasted." Amusement dripped from her voice.
Aria's POVNathan stood there.His broad shoulders nearly filled the entrance, his presence immediately drawing every eye in the room as the scent of a powerful Alpha rolled in with him, subtle but impossible to ignore.One dark brow furrowed as he took in the scene before him. For a second, his gaze lingered on me, and something dark flashed across his eyes.Nathan didn't say another word. He didn't need to.Nathan Hemsworth was the kind of Alpha whose presence demanded space. The reporters stepped aside one after another, creating a corridor through the crowd as he walked forward.Silence followed him, heavy and oppressive, like the pressure before a storm.My wolf and I watched him approach. What are you doing here, Nathan?Without a word, he reached me. A microphone was being shoved toward my face, and before it could get any closer, Nathan casually raised one arm and redirected it elsewhere.The movement was effortl
Aria's POVRose immediately pointed. "That's her!"She grabbed Cynthia's arm dramatically. "Mom, that's the lady who attacked me!"She pointed at the fading bruises on her face. Cynthia's gaze shifted coldly toward Chloe before settling back on me."Ms. Darvin, keep your minion under control."The warning in her voice was unmistakable."The offer I've presented isn't an apology. It's an opportunity you should be grateful for."Chloe's muscles tightened instantly. She was at the edge of losing control. Thankfully, Amelia grabbed her arm and held her back."So? Think it over," Cynthia added.Rose crossed her arms and watched Chloe struggle, satisfaction practically radiating from her scent.I smiled. Then pointed toward the door. "You're all welcome to leave."The room froze. Cynthia blinked, and for the first time since entering, she looked genuinely confused. "What?"I smiled pleasantly. "You heard m
Aria's POVChloe lowered her phone after making a call to Rowland, confusion rolling off her scent."According to Rowland, Sophia met them outside and said you instructed her to take them away to get breakfast."I paused, my fingertip stilling against the desk. Why did Sophia do that? What was she up to?At that exact moment, Anita stepped back into the office. She had been downstairs trying to manage the chaos in the lobby, and her heartbeat was still elevated."Ms. Darvin, Ms. Wayne has arrived.""Show her in."Anita hesitated. "There are two others with her. Do you want them all in?"I glanced toward the half-open door. "All of them."Before Anita could move, a familiar voice drifted through the hallway."Mom, why did you have to come to this dump yourself? Calling this a company is generous. I've seen better-organized storage closets." Rose's irritating laugh followed.My expression didn't change.
Aria's POV"No." I shook my head. "The Osborne Pack is leaving soon." I reached into the drawer beside my bed and pulled out a key, the metal cool against my fingers."Spend time with them instead."I held it out. Rowland accepted it with a puzzled expression."I'll send you an address," I said.His brow furrowed. "What's there?"I looked down at the key. "My grandmother's belongings."A shadow crossed my face."Most of what she left me is stored there."For a moment, memories surfaced. Memories of how strong she was. She was the one who had taught me how to survive. I pushed the emotions back down."Take them to see it."Rowland looked at the key resting in his palm. Slowly, understanding appeared in his eyes. This wasn't just an errand. It was me trusting him with something that was special to me."All right," he said in a steady voice.I nodded, then added quietly, "Keep your phone close."
Aria's POVI wandered through the dim corridor, my wolf pacing under my skin, alert and protective, every sense stretched taut.At the front desk, a nurse flinched at the sight of me, pale and trembling."Miss, are you okay?"I pressed my dry lips together and nodded stiffly."This is the admission f
Aria's POVIt was Peter.He was sitting in a VIP room at some downtown bar, the entire place drowning in spinning neon lights, too bright and too loud even through a screen. The air looked thick with cigarette smoke and cheap cologne. My wolf immediately bristled, ears flattening at the chaotic ene
Aria's POVI don't know how long I sat there, my eyes open, staring into the suffocating dark. My wolf kept watch even as my mind drifted—alert, restless, tense.Eventually, a pale sliver of moon slipped between the clouds, casting silver light through the branches outside. The shadows twisted alon
Aria's POVPeter didn't answer.His eyes were unfocused, his scent muddled with stress, frustration, and a tint of fear.My wolf bristled within me."Peter," I said softly,"maybe I could take a look?"The old part of me, the lawyer I used to be, still lived inside my bones. And Peter… he had been m







