Chapter 3

Nathan's POV

I pushed open the bedroom door, and was hit by a cold wind which swirled wildly in the room. My wolf stirred uneasily beneath my skin, a low growl rumbling in my chest as I took in the empty room.

My gaze was drawn to the source of the wind, the windows. They were wide open, curtains thrashing in the storm.

I crossed the room in two strides and slammed the window shut, my claws threatening to break through as the frame rattled under my grip. The wind ceased instantly.

My pulse thundered in my ears. Why does it feel like something's missing? I told myself I didn't care, that she meant nothing to me. She was just another traitor, one who'd sold me out and spat on the name of the Hemsworth family and Ironclaw pack.

Still, I found myself staring at the bed. The deep gray sheets where she used to sleep. My hand rose to my temple, rubbing away the dull ache pulsing behind my eyes.

"She made her choice by staying away," I muttered under my breath, my voice low and rough. "If anything happens to her out there, it's her own doing."

Just then, a faint familiar scent drifted through the air—Lavender and dark honey. Even with the wind's interference, I knew it instantly. It was her scent, Aria's.

My jaw clenched. The darkness in me coiled tighter. "Who's been in this room?" I barked in a sharp voice, "Guards!".

Aria's POV

The night air bit into my skin as the old gate behind Hemsworth Villa creaked open. Every sound felt too loud, too dangerous. Sandra's trembling hand guided me through the narrow passage hidden behind the thorned hedges.

My arms tightened protectively around the small bundle in my arms, my daughter. My little wolf.

Lana stirred softly but didn't cry, as if even in sleep she sensed my fear. The moonlight brushed her tiny face, peaceful and unaware of the chaos we were escaping.

I held her closer, breathing in her faint, sweet scent to steady myself. The chill of the night couldn't touch the warmth she brought me.

"Thank you, Sandra," I whispered, my voice rough from exhaustion and the tears I'd long since run out of. "For everything tonight."

The old housekeeper's eyes glistened. "Don't thank me, Luna Aria. If you hadn't given me that job years ago, I'd never have survived in this city."

She dabbed her eyes with the edge of her sleeve. "You've been through too much already. Are you sure you won't stay?"

I couldn't meet her gaze. My wolf stirred weakly inside me, wounded and silent after months of confinement. I'd been caged like a criminal, branded a traitor to my own mate, to my pack.

My voice was quiet when I replied, "He destroyed my life, Sandra. All I want now is freedom. A fresh start."

Sandra nodded, her lips trembling. "Did you get everything you needed?"

I touched the bag slung over my shoulder. My ID, passport, cards, and the three million I'd earned back when I was still a respected lawyer—before Nathan ruined my name, my career, my life. I'd taken only what was mine. Not a single coin of his cursed wealth.

"Yes," I said softly, though I was a bit uncertain because just before I'd escaped, I'd heard him shut the door of his study and knew he was approaching. My heart had nearly stopped. I'd barely climbed through the window with Sandra's help, not wanting to be discovered.

Goddess, what if he already knew I'd been there? What if the scent masking potion I had taken several hours ago had worn off?.

A cold wave of dread rolled down my spine.

Sandra must have seen the panic flash across my face, because she gave me a small, brave nod and pushed me gently toward the gate.

"Don't be afraid. If anything comes up, I'll cover for you. What Alpha Nathan did to you was cruel beyond words. I couldn't bear to see it." Her voice cracked. "Go now, Luna Aria. Take care of your daughter."

Tears burned behind my eyes, but I blinked them away. "Sandra… I need to ask you one more thing." I wanted to tell her not to breathe a word of what happened to anyone. No one should know that I have a child, especially Nathan.

She understood before I could finish. "Don't worry. Tonight, I never saw you."

The gate closed with a soft click, like the end of a lifetime. Through the narrow gap, I caught a last glimpse of her wrinkled hand waving at me, a silent blessing in the dark.

I turned toward the road, clutching Lana as the wind carried the scent of roses. Petals drifted around us, catching in my hair.

We're free, I told myself, though my heart still trembled. Free at last.

I quickened my pace toward the waiting cab. The guards wouldn't check the back road, not this late.

I climbed into the car, my heart pounding as the villa faded in the rearview mirror. Lana slept soundly against my chest, her tiny fingers curling around the fabric of my coat.

I turned my face away from Hemsworth Villa, from the man who'd once been my mate, my Alpha, my ruin.

Nathan Hemsworth, I thought, as the city lights swallowed us whole, may the Moon Goddess ensure our paths never cross again.