Chapter 31

"Ariella. Sit."

With that simple yet powerful command, I instantly plop down onto the nearest sofa, my hands twisting around themselves in my lap. I swallow convulsively, my throat drier than the Sahara, as the Beta stands in front of me and crosses his arms across his impressive chest. I can't believe the amount of trouble I'm in now, caught snooping in his house like this.

"Why in all the universe did you break into my house?"

His hazel eyes bore into me with an intensity that raises my heart rate, blood pressure, and anxiety all with one glance. Hamilton is angry with me, but it's more than that. I see the hurt in his eyes, and I hate having disappointed him like this.

Opening my mouth, I scramble for an excuse. "I...it's uhh—"

"You better have a completely honest answer. Or else don't bother answering at all," he tells me in a clipped tone. He commands, demanding the truth and I realise I don't want to give him anything less.

"I came here to talk about Harlow."

"She's not here. Yo