LOGINAria's POVSophia wore the same pleasant mask she'd been using lately. She smiled like a predator baring its teeth and pretending it wasn't preparing to bite.Chloe immediately stepped between us, positioning herself protectively."There is no need to be nervous, Ms. Collins," Sophia said with an exaggerated smile. Neither of us believed her."Move," Chloe replied flatly. She gripped my wheelchair and started guiding me around Sophia. The dismissal made Sophia's smile twitch."We're family, Aria," she said. "You've returned to the Darvin family. Why do you keep pushing me away?"I didn't even look at her. Chloe took my silence as her answer and continued moving. The fake smile vanished from Sophia's face, and she quickly stepped in front of us again.I finally raised my eyes. The coldness in them made her hesitate."Move, Sophia.""Are you really that afraid of talking to me for two minutes?" She lifted her chin, the cha
Aria's POVI looked directly into his eyes. Then smiled genuinely."I'll make you a deal."His expression brightened slightly."If you and Rose come here together..." I folded my hands. "And both of you bow sincerely and apologize." I raised an eyebrow. "I'll consider letting this go."There was absolute silence. Victor's face turned black. My wolf felt oddly satisfied."Good." His voice was tight. "Very good." He stared at me for several seconds. Then turned sharply. "If you insist on doing things the hard way..." His eyes flashed. "This isn't over."The door slammed behind him hard enough to rattle the walls.The room became quiet again. Nobody spoke. Everyone understood. The Wayne family had just declared war.I lowered my gaze. Honestly... my heart was pounding harder than I wanted to admit. The Wayne family wasn't Patrick Darvin.Patrick could be manipulated, controlled, and outmaneuvered. The Wayne family wa
Aria's POVChloe stood and wandered over. The moment she opened it, I caught an unfamiliar scent drifting into the room. It was a male wolf with a very powerful aura.His silver-flecked hair was neatly combed back. His tailored suit fit perfectly. Everything about him screamed authority.He smiled politely. "You must be Chloe." He lifted a gift box. "I'm here to visit Ms. Aria Darvin."Chloe's eyebrows furrowed. I could practically hear her suspicion. She knew almost everyone in my circle. This man wasn't one of them.Still, she stepped aside. "Aria." She glanced back. "You've got a visitor."The man entered calmly, his polished shoes clicking softly against the floor. Then his gaze landed on me.I studied him carefully. I had never met him before. "And you are?"Even Chloe didn't know him. Yet he knew her name, which meant he'd done research. The realization immediately put me on guard.Then it clicked. The similarities
Aria's POVGrandma immediately snorted once, then again. A mischievous smile appeared on her face."Patrick?" She practically sneered his name. "I never approved of your mother mating with him."My eyes widened. Grandma folded her arms, her displeasure practically rolling off her scent. "I knew from the beginning he wasn't a good wolf."The declaration was blunt and absolute, without hesitation.I blinked. Grandma rolled her eyes dramatically. Despite her age, she somehow managed to look like a mischievous young woman gossiping about someone she disliked.The sight immediately lifted my mood. My lips twitched."So when you visited the Darvin family..."Grandma sighed, the amusement fading. "Because your mother chose him." Her voice softened. "I had to maintain appearances."A trace of sadness entered her scent."If I hadn't, your mother's life would've been even harder."My chest tightened. Grandma rarely s
Aria's POV"I do!" Rowland practically launched himself forward. "I've taken care of her more often."At the same time, Jonathan extended a hand. "I'd be happy to help."One was eager, the other was composed. I couldn't help smiling. Both men looked entirely too serious about feeding a baby.Several hands reached toward me. But instead of choosing either of them, I turned toward the quietest person in the room, Francis."Would you help?"His eyes widened, the surprise rolling off him obvious. For a moment, he simply stared.Then gratitude softened his scent. "Of course." He accepted the packet carefully.Among everyone present, Francis had spent the least time with Lana. The poor man looked more nervous preparing cereal than facing an angry Alpha.A little powder spilled onto the table. Then some water splashed.I watched silently, hiding my amusement. Eventually, he finished just in time. A tiny whimper sounded f
Aria's POVJonathan's warm amber eyes settled on me. His scent remained calm and steady, carrying the confidence of a mature Alpha."I tracked Rose's movements and discovered she'd returned to Asterfell." His voice was as gentle as a spring breeze."I was worried she might try something once she learned you'd survived."His gaze flickered briefly toward Rose."So I came to warn you." A small smile touched his lips. "Looks like I worried for nothing."Williams immediately shivered beside him. The moment Jonathan mentioned Rose, Williams's face turned strange.His gaze unconsciously drifted toward the door Chloe had exited through.Jonathan followed his brother's gaze before looking down at Rose. Even someone as composed as him raised an eyebrow.Rose's face was swollen beyond recognition. One eye had nearly disappeared beneath the swelling. Jonathan smiled. He looked genuinely impressed."If I'm not mistaken..." I
Nathan's POVMy jaw tightened and pain shot up the side of my face. My wolf snarled at the possessiveness in his tone. Take her? Like she was something that could just be carried off.Rowland's words hung in the air like a challenge.A challenge my wolf was more than willing to answer."She's your
Aria's POVRowland shrugged, but I didn't miss the tension creeping through his shoulders. "Clarence's funeral invite. Should've been harder to get, considering Patrick's tried to freeze you out of everything. Suddenly, he's rolling out the welcome mat? Weird."I smiled, my eyes on the blurring vie
Nathan's POVI saw confusion flicker across Collins' features. He swallowed it and nodded, then left.And I was alone once again.I stared out the window, my eyes catching on the roiling clouds, dark and swollen with rain.Aria will be there at the funeral. That was why I wanted to attend as well.
Aria's POVSophia glared at the camera, her eyes like daggers, as if she could pierce through the screen and straight into my heart."I know you're jealous of me. I know you hate me. But you shouldn't fabricate lies to smear my father! Your father! Aria!"My name was the spark that ignited the wild







