Chapter 9: Game On

Kyril's POV

The Silvermoon Grand Hotel was alive with sound–well polished shoes on marble floors, clinging glasses, and the low hum of very powerful men and women weaving alliances with smiles that never got to their hearts.

This was my kind of conference, and I should have felt at home with the deals, politics, and strategy that circled endlessly around the room.

But no.

For the first time in years, I completely lost focus. My mind just kept circling back to the same thoughts about Aria.

Marcus' words still echoed in my head from last night. "She's in Silvermoon, my lord. She had kids."

He hadn't made much sense, just that she was alive and not alone.

Alive.

After five good years of nothing but silence... she was here.

And now, surrounded by the silent noise and light of the conference ballroom, I had to act like I still cared about the profit margins and trade expansions.

A flash of silver caught my eye. It was quickly followed by a laugh, one that was soft and melodic. It rose above the crowd, causing my heart to skip a beat.

Standing across the room was the most beautiful woman I had ever seen, half turned to Lucian Frost–the Alpha of Frostpeak Pack.

She wore a smile on her face and was confidently dressed in an elegant midnight-blue gown that shimmered with every moment. Her hair was short, revealing a familiar long curve of neck.

For a heartbeat, I couldn't breathe.

"No way," I muttered beneath my breath as Aria's face began to take shape on that of the woman's. The eyes were the same, the nose, lips.

The major difference was that she was now very radiant–and happy, and gone was the fragile woman I remembered.

"God," muttered again, sinking into my chair. "What have I done to myself?"

"Alpha Kyril?" A voice called, distracting me. "Are you alright?"

"Huh?" I asked, looking up to meet the face of my personal attendant.

"You're meant to give a speech in five minutes."

"What? Oh....yeah, of course," I replied, dismissing him as I tried to find Aria's location again.

I found her at the same spot, all composed and sure of herself. She sure looked like she belonged here, more like she'd built a good life–one that would never include me.

At that moment, Lucian said something that made her laugh again, her hand brushing his sleeve slightly. I instantly felt a bite in my chest.

Jealousy. Rage. Regret.

And then she looked up.

Our eyes suddenly met despite the crowd, and for the first time in five years, my wolf was truly pleased.

Her smile instantly froze. The colour completely drained from her face.

My lips formed the word "Aria," just as every wall between us slammed right back into place.

Her expression turned cold–way colder than I had ever seen it. Then she turned away.

Just like that.

"Alpha Kyril would love to give us a speech now," the MC announced, and everyone cheered.

I ignored this call, moving before I even realised it and pushing through the thong of Alphas and dignitaries. I ignored the murmured greetings and confused looks.

My heart was pounding, every step way heavier than the last.

"Aria!"

She stopped suddenly, slowly turning to face me.

"I'm sorry, do I know you?"

Her voice was ice as she as she said this, her face masked with feigned ignorance.

I froze. The words hit harder than any punch I had taken in the past, and at that moment, I felt just a sting of the pain she must have felt all through the three years of our ended marriage.

"Aria, it's me," I said quietly, glancing around at the people who had begun to stand by her side. "It's Kyril."

She looked me up and down, her expression still unreadable. "You have the wrong person. My name is Aria Stone. Now, I'd love to excuse you. You've got a speech to give us all."

She turned and walked off, her heels clicking softly on the marble. I was stunned, hollow, and suddenly furious.

And worst of it all, my wolf began to trouble me again.

"Find her!" It howled. "You must!"

She had changed her name to Aria Stone. Fake name. New life, one that was meant to erase me completely.

I barely remembered how I got back to my suite that night. Alphas and attendees of the conference were really disappointed that I didn't give the speech–one that was more to my benefit as it would have helped me secure the crucial alliance that I so needed.

The city glittered beyond the windows, but all I could see was her face. Her denial. The way she looked at

Frost.

Lucian Frost.

I wasn't just consumed with anger now. No, it had transcended to something deeper–fear.

Because if Aria was working with Frost, it only meant she was under his pack's protection. Which also meant I simply couldn't march up to her door and demand answers–not without triggering pack law.

I poured myself a drink, the amber liquid trembling slightly in my hand.

"What have I done?" I muttered as I swirled the glass cup and sank into deep thinking.

She'd vanished after signing those bloody divorce papers, and I had convinced myself that she was gone for good. I tried not to care.

But now, seeing her... I realized I'd been lying to myself all along.

I dropped the glass cup and opened my laptop, bringing up the private investigator's report Marcus had sent me earlier that day. It had taken me hours to open it. Now, I just couldn't look away.

The file was thin but detailed.

Marcus had done a good job with the resources at his disposal. On the screen before me was everything I needed to know about Aria–her residence, occupation, dependents, weight, and even more.

The photographs of the children were also attached, and looking at their faces, I could only mutter a silent, "I'm coming for you all"