Aria’s POV
I stopped dead in my tracks, my heart giving a sharp, startled thump.
"What is it, Mr. Curt?" I asked, trying to sound steady, though my wolf stirred uneasily beneath my skin.
Kevin Curt leaned against one of the supply boxes, that greasy smirk plastered across his face. His gold chain caught the afternoon light, gleaming like the gaudy prize of a man who thought too much of himself. The air around him reeked of oil, stale beer, and arrogance — and I had to fight the urge to wrinkle my nose.
He looked at like I was prey — cornered, small, sothing he could toy with before deciding whether to bite. The way his eyes dragged over made my wolf pace, restlessly within .
"Soone did us a good deed," Kevin drawled, his voice low and slick. "Shouldn’t we show a little appreciation?"
My hands twisted together, my knuckles turning white. I didn’t like where this was going.
"It’s not like I’m asking you to do anything crazy," he went on, watching like a snake ready to strike. "Just a quick video to say thank you — is that too much to ask?"
His tone was casual, but I could sense the underlying push, the silent command.
"But why ?" I asked, my voice small but sharp enough to cut through the noise of the courtyard.
There were plenty of others he could’ve chosen — older won who knew how to smile for the crowd, who could chatter sweetly and make the world believe their gratitude. I was quiet, withdrawn. The one who kept to herself and worked in silence. Why ?
"I don’t want it," I said finally, shaking my head. "If that’s what I have to do to thank him, I’d rather not accept anything at all."
My wolf humd inside with defiance.
Slowly, I began placing the donated supplies back into the box, even though every item in there ant survival for and Lana. Warmth, shelter and Hope. But not if it ca at the cost of doing sothing I was not comfortable with.
Kevin blinked, clearly taken aback. Then, seeing turn to leave, his irritation flared. "The CEO of Hemsworth Group is giving you a personal monthly stipend of a hundred bucks!" he barked.
I froze mid-step.
For a mont, the world tilted. I could hear the faint thrum of my pulse in my ears, fast and erratic.
A slow, smug grin spread across Kevin’s face. He thought he had hooked after ntioning money.
But my stillness wasn’t about the money.
"You said Hemsworth Group?" My voice ca out quieter than I intended, barely more than a whisper. "Alpha Hemsworth?"
Kevin coughed, puffing up with self-importance as he stepped closer. "Who else? Asterfell’s golden boy — Alpha Nathan Hemsworth. Don’t tell you’ve never heard of him."
My breath caught in my throat. The sound of that na slamd into like a strike to the chest.
Nathan.
My mate, my curse, my undoing.
The man who had thrown into a cell and walked away as if I ant nothing.
"What?" I managed to whisper, the air suddenly too thin. "But he’s the richest man in our country, Asterfell. Why would he...?" My voice cracked. "Why would he donate supplies to us? Why ?"
No. He couldn’t know. He couldn’t. I’d buried my trail, hidden my scent, stayed far from anything that could link us.
If he’s found ...
A sharp, dizzy wave hit . My vision blurred at the edges, my wolf’s instincts screaming danger. If he knows about Lana...
Kevin’s laugh snapped back. "You think soone like him would be interested in you?" he sneered. "You were just sweeping the street this morning. He probably saw you with your kid and felt sorry for you. You’re just a single mom with a scarred face. Don’t flatter yourself."
I took a slow breath, forcing the tremor out of my chest as I exhaled through my nose. My wolf bristled under my skin, pacing restlessly.
Right. It’s just pity, nothing more.
I must’ve overthought it. Nathan wasn’t here. He didn’t know where I was. This was just another cruel trick of fate and fate loved reminding how small I’d beco.
"I understand now," I said quietly, though my tone ca out colder than I intended. "In that case, I won’t be taking anything. You can record the video yourself. Keep the supplies too."
Kevin’s oily grin faltered, and I saw his gaze harden. The kind of look that made the hair at the back of my neck rise. He wasn’t used to hearing no.
He stepped closer, his thick breath invading my space, the stench of sweat and tobacco burning my senses.
"Co on, be a good girl," he murmured, his voice slick like oil. "Do the video. I’ll make sure you get your own room, maybe even a heater. I’ll take care of you—"
The word care made my stomach twist. I took a sharp step back before he could touch . "I need to check on my kid," I said flatly.
For a heartbeat, there was silence. Then fury twisted his face.
Before I could react, he yanked a fistful of my hair, snapping my head back so hard that stars exploded behind my eyes. Pain shot down my spine, my wolf snarling wildly inside .
"You ungrateful little bitch," he spat. "You think I’m just gonna let this slide?"
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