Aria’s POV
The commotion drew the security guards. The mont they stord through the doorway, the crowd parted like prey sensing predators.
Things had just gotten more serious.
Before I could shift Lana higher on my hip, the pudgy man jabbed a finger toward Rowland and .
“There! Those two! They said they’d toss out. Kick them out and teach them a lesson! The host of this auction is my uncle!”
His voice grated against my ears like rusted tal.
And then his eyes slid toward .
I felt it before I saw it, his lust mixing with arrogance. My wolf’s hackles rose instantly.
Don’t you dare look at like that.
He clicked his tongue, his gaze stopping at the faint scar on my cheek.
I fought the urge to bare my teeth.
But Rowland moved before I even inhaled.
One heartbeat he was beside —
the next, he was across the space, his hand clamped over the man’s eyes with a snarl that sent a shiver down my spine.
“One more look,” Rowland growled, his voice thick with his wolf, “and your eyes will be history.”
Gasps erupted around us.
The man didn’t even have ti to scream before darkness swallowed him and a hot, sour sll hit my nose.
He’d wet himself.
Disgust rippled through the crowd.
Rowland shoved him, and his body flew, landing in a quivering heap a few ters away. If Rowland had used even a fraction more strength, the man’s skull would’ve cracked.
Security rushed in and grabbed the man before he could crawl away.
“You’re coming with us, Mr. Deckland” one said flatly. Gone was the fake smile he’d offered earlier.
Of course.
These guys already knew who Rowland was, they knew he outranked the brat by a mile in hierarchy.
“What? Why? Arrest them!” the man sputtered, looking between Rowland and with bulging eyes. The reek of his fear mixed unpleasantly with the urine.
When Rowland t his cold, dominant eyes.
“My cousin hosts this auction! I’ll have him fire you all!” he shrieked, thrashing wildly.
But the guards didn’t budge. Two lifted him clean off the floor.
“Sorry, sir. Orders from the host. Anyone who sses with this young gentleman gets the boot.” They were refering to Rowland.
The man’s screams echoed as they carried him out like unwanted cargo.
And just like that... silence returned.
Every gaze in the hall shifted to and Rowland.
They were all filled with a mix of admiration, shock and curiosity, stinging my heightened senses.
Whispered thoughts buzzed in the air like flies.
Who is that man?
How dare he do that on Deckland property?
He’s gorgeous, but he has a mate.
Their attention slid to .
I pulled Lana closer, letting my wolf’s presence wrap protectively around her.
I didn’t care what they thought about .
Ignoring the stares, Rowland crouched to straighten Lana’s skirt, his gentle fingers brushing the fabric.
His wolf energy softened as he looked up at .
“Are you okay?” he asked, his voice warm now, nothing like the deadly growl from seconds ago. “I didn’t scare you, did I?”
I fluttered my eyelashes and pressed my lips together, forcing myself to stay quiet.
My wolf was pacing beneath my skin, unsettled.
Just monts ago, I’d felt Rowland’s aura spike. It was sharp, icy and dangerous.
Hostility rolled off him in thick waves so potent that even the people nearby stiffened.
If that annoying guy had kept running his mouth, Rowland would’ve torn his throat out. My wolf humd in agreent, a low growl curling at the base of my spine.
I swallowed hard.
Who exactly was Rowland? What kind of wolf carried an aura strong enough to trigger my flight response?
“I’m good,” I muttered, dropping my gaze to hide the tremor in my eyes.
He noticed my cold tone. His fingers twitched near his waist, and he slumped a little, looking... hurt?
The shift was so sudden, one mont he had a deadly alpha presence, the next he appeared as a lost pup. I wasn’t sure what to think.
“Let’s head inside,” he said, slipping back into that gentle, warm-voiced deanor that made my wolf tilt her head.
“Sure...” I mumbled.
I kept a careful half-yard distance behind him, my senses on alert.
The silence between us grew awkward, tinged with the faint scent of Rowland’s regret.
His earlier anger had flared too strongly, even for an overprotective wolf. He must’ve realized how it scared .
He pressed his lips together and guided us into the main auction hall.
I instinctively aid for the back row, sowhere dim and hidden but Rowland’s hand suddenly caught mine.
His palm was warm, firm and
possessive.
“It’s crowded. I don’t wanna lose you. Co on,” he said casually, as if holding my hand was the most normal thing in the world.
I stared at our hands, his long fingers wrapping securely around mine, veins faintly visible.
He looked normal, honestly concerned about us getting separated...
But my wolf didn’t miss the subtle brush of dominance in that grip.
I stole another glance before forcing myself to look away, letting him lead through the dense crowd.
For so reason, a prickling sensation crawled up my spine, causing the hairs at the back of my neck.
Soone was watching , I could feel it in my bones.
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