MasukAria'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
Aria's POVRose laughed bitterly, the sound almost hysterical. "Why?" She stared at me as if I were the absurd one. "You really don't know?"Her eyes reddened. "Or are you pretending?"I remained silent."I like Francis." The confession burst out of her. "And you keep getting close to him right in front of me!" Her voice grew sharper. "Now you have the nerve to ask why?"The room fell silent. I blinked. Honestly, I was confused.Before I could respond, Francis suddenly spoke."Rose." His voice was firm.The room froze.He continued. "I don't like you. Your feelings are your responsibility." His scent carried frustration. "Neither my friends nor I should have to pay for them."Rose's body trembled only slightly. But my wolf caught it immediately.Then her expression changed. A twisted smile appeared. "Friends?" She laughed, the word sounding mocking.Her gaze locked onto Francis, sharp and unforgiving
Aria's POVChloe blinked. For once, she looked innocent. Realizing she had started the conversation, she wisely kept quiet.Ignoring her, Rowland strode toward me. He placed the thermos beside the bed and sat down, then stared directly into my eyes."What did you mean?" His voice was low and serious.Under that intense gaze, I found it unexpectedly difficult to repeat myself. The longer I stayed silent, the more uncertainty filled his scent.Suddenly, he grabbed my wrist. His head lowered. "Why don't you want me here anymore?"The question sounded painfully vulnerable, his scent twisting with anxiety. "Are you trying to push me away again?"My chest tightened. I could feel the loneliness radiating from him. My wolf shifted uneasily. He clung to my arm stubbornly, almost desperately, as if he was afraid to hear the answer."Say something." His voice cracked."I didn't mean that." I sighed. "You don't have to work so hard
Aria's POVJonathan's expression darkened briefly. Then he explained, "Out of everyone we know you've had conflicts with, only Francis and Rose were heading to the airport that day."As he spoke, he pulled out his phone. "This was sent by Francis before his flight."He showed me a photo. The image displayed Rose. Her cheeks were flushed. She looked nervous and excited, far too excited."I see." My voice was barely above a whisper. The room fell silent. I recalled Rose's threat the last time I saw her. If she had truly been the one who tried to kill me, then it was not an empty threat after all.After a moment, I lay back on the bed. "I need more rest."Even those few words drained what little energy I had left.Jonathan and Williams looked disappointed. Neither wanted to leave, but after seeing my condition, they reluctantly nodded and headed out.Soon, silence returned once more.I closed my eyes. Thoughts tangled toget
Aria's POVSophia's gaze snapped to Nathan, then to Rowland, then back to me, burning with hatred."You think just because you're close to Alpha Nathan's nephew...""Oh, sweetheart," I cut her off, brushing hair behind my ear, "if I wanted to lean on power, this would be over already. But humiliati
Nathan's POVMy eyes were unfocused, vision swimming in the dim light. The alcohol clung to my senses like fog, thick and suffocating. I could barely sit up; every movement sent the room spinning. My wolf lay curled somewhere inside me, groggy from the liquor, claws hesitant to surface.But through
Nathan's POV"Don't touch me," I hissed slowly but my body betrayed me, causing me to collapse back into the seat. The room spun. Aria blurred into memory and reality all at once.Sophia's palm landed on my chest.I recoiled, instinctively.Then my gaze lifted.For a split second... her face overla
Aria's POVNathan stood tall and shadowed in black, blocking our path. His Alpha aura filled the air, making the lights flicker.Our eyes met.“What are you doing here with him?” he rasped, his voice rough like gravel, his wolf barely leashed.I looked away, grabbing Rowland’s hand to leave.Nathan







