LOGINAria's POV
Every direction I looked, I was met with a smiling elderly face.
One of them was studying me like I was a long-lost granddaughter. I couldn't help feeling unexpectedly self-conscious.
Kathy rubbed her forehead. "I completely forgot..." she muttered.
"What are you studying?" One of the elders leaned over my notebook. "Kathy, if you're making the girl study, at least teach her something worthwhile."
He reached for my wrist. "Come on, child. Sit with
Nathan's POVThe five-star hotel suite was silent. My wolf disliked silence like this.It prowled beneath my skin, restless and uneasy, as though it could sense Aria somewhere beyond the maze of Veridale, just out of reach.A knock sounded against the door. "Come in."Collins stepped inside, his scent carrying the chill of the night air. His posture was as careful as ever, shoulders straight, his head slightly lowered."Alpha." He approached and handed me a tablet."Ms. Darvin has arrived safely at the Osborne estate."My fingers settled against the edge of the screen.The first thing I saw was Aria.The photograph captured her stepping out of the Osborne family car beneath the estate lights, Lana cradled securely in her arms.My thumb stopped over her image. I didn't move.The room became unbearably quiet.My wolf stared at her through my eyes.She looks... different.She looked like s
Aria's POVEvery direction I looked, I was met with a smiling elderly face.One of them was studying me like I was a long-lost granddaughter. I couldn't help feeling unexpectedly self-conscious.Kathy rubbed her forehead. "I completely forgot..." she muttered."What are you studying?" One of the elders leaned over my notebook. "Kathy, if you're making the girl study, at least teach her something worthwhile."He reached for my wrist. "Come on, child. Sit with us for a while."He gave my arm an encouraging tug. Nothing happened. I stayed exactly where I was.He blinked, straightened proudly, then tried again.I smiled and gently stopped him. "I really should begin with the basics."SMACK!His palm landed dramatically on the desk."What basics?" he demanded. "The things you actually need can't be learned from textbooks!"His wolf's aura expanded slightly with excitement rather than intimidation.
Aria's POVRuth's tone when she spoke was flawless, concerned and supportive.Anyone who didn't know better might have believed she was speaking entirely for the Osborne family's benefit.I slowly set my teacup down."So that's your concern, Ms. Garfield." I turned toward her with an easy smile. "What an interesting perspective."I rose to my feet."You just pointed out that the Osborne family rarely appears before the public."I tilted my head slightly."If my family has chosen to step into the spotlight after years of silence by introducing me..." I smiled. "Who am I to refuse such an honor?""Ms. Darvin..." Eleanor Garfield spoke this time, her expression considerably more composed than Ruth's.As an older woman, she concealed her emotions far better. Her aura remained controlled, though I could smell the faint edge of protectiveness beneath it."With the greatest respect," she continued evenly, "and I s
Aria's POVThe conference was open to the media.The doors remained wide open, cameras positioned throughout the room.The representatives of the Garfield family were already seated, including Rowland.Judging by the expressions around the table, they'd heard every word I'd spoken outside.I simply took my seat.Across the room, however, several reporters quietly shifted their cameras toward Rowland.Everyone in Veridale knew Rowland Garfield.A brilliant, powerful Alpha heir.The sort of dominant wolf who followed his own instincts regardless of tradition.Surely hearing his family casually dismissed would provoke some sort of reaction.The cameras waited, but nothing happened.Rowland looked completely unconcerned, as though my comments hadn't involved his family at all.Instead, he stood. "Aria."His scent drifted across the table as he picked up the teapot."Your tea."
Aria's POVThe next morning, when I opened my bedroom door, I found a young lady already standing in the hallway.Judging by the slight stiffness in her posture, she'd been waiting for quite a while.I blinked in surprise."Why didn't you knock?"I asked softly after closing the bedroom door behind me to avoid waking Lana.The young woman immediately lowered her head respectfully."You arrived very late last night, Ms. Darvin."I didn't want to disturb your rest."Before I could answer, another familiar scent approached.It was Kathy. She appeared from farther down the hallway, walking toward me with her usual calm elegance.She smiled and gently patted my shoulder when she reached me."Did you sleep well?"I nodded. "I did.""Good. We're heading to the company today.""Oh." I almost forgot. Before I could say anything else, Kathy lightly guided the waiting staff member forward.
Aria's POVKathy raised one elegant eyebrow, neither agreeing nor denying it."The announcement naming you as the Osborne family's heir hasn't fully reached Veridale yet. The Garfield family clearly didn't investigate. They assumed you followed Rowland here."A small smile tugged at her lips. "Although... you handled Ruth rather well."I lowered my eyes. Ruth Garfield. For one uncomfortable moment, I'd seen a reflection of myself in her.She was like a girl growing up inside a house where someone else was always more important, where she always expected to settle for whatever affection remained.We'd walked through similar forests. We'd simply chosen different trails out."You're feeling sorry for her?" Kathy asked quietly, having noticed my silence.I slowly shook my head. "Eleanor Garfield's opinion of me didn't appear from nowhere. Ruth must have helped shape it."I leaned back into the leather seat. "I haven't become
Nathan's POVI 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 t
Aria's POVThe moment I stepped back into the house, my wolf went rigid. The light in Nathan’s study was still on.It was too bright against the darkened hallway and then I heard it.A muffled cry. It was Jonathan's voice.It wasn’t loud, but to me, it might as well have been a howl. My hearing sha
Nathan's POVThe Bentley purred to a stop before the prison gates. I sat in the back seat, still as stone with my eyes closed as I listened to the rhythmic thump of my own heartbeat.When I finally opened my eyes, they locked on the weather-worn sign ahead: The Nightshade Institution for Women.I c
Aria's POVThey say freedom has a taste.Mine tasted like blood and ash.The iron gates of the werewolf prison shrieked open and I stumbled out in my ragged clothes, clutching my little pup in my arms, the only thing that mattered to me in this cruel world.The cold hit like claws raking across my







