Aria’s POV
A frown etched Rowland’s face. He seed a bit perturbed.
I leaned in. “What’s up?” I whispered.
He shook his head. “I don’t know. Sothing just feels... odd.”
Odd. I couldn’t help but wonder what that was about.
Rowland’s brows pinched, as though his thoughts were spinning. Then he suddenly turned to . “My uncle’s here. I’ll introduce you to him later.”
I froze.
He wanted to et his uncle?
We’d only seen each other three tis. Just three tis. Wasn’t this way too fast?
My cheeks heated in horror.
I looked at him like he’d lost his mind, but he only smiled warmly, expectantly, like he really wanted this.
“No,” I finally said after a mont of deliberation, shaking my head. “If you want to catch up with your uncle, you should go. I’ll leave right after the auction.”
Rowland’s hand shot out, wrapping firmly around my wrist.
His fingers were warm and his wolf was clearly alert.
His eyes locked onto mine, unusually serious.
“I’m not et him anymore tonight,” he said. “It’s late, and I’m worried about you. I’ll give you a ride ho.”
Ride ho?
My heart stuttered.
I opened my mouth to refuse.
If Nathan wasn’t here, then he was likely back at Hemsworth Villa. It would be easier to just slip out, take a cab and go back ho after this, to avoid questions, and unnecessary tension—
But before I could speak, the gavel slamd sharply, signaling intermission.
The room changed instantly into a low roar of chattering voices and footsteps.
People stretched, mingled, drifted toward the refreshnts.
The heavy pressure of the auction’s silence lifted, and Lana wriggled with excitent, finally able to play freely.
Good. I needed the distraction.
I needed sothing to drown out the rising anxiety in my chest and the strange sensation that soone asides Sophia might be watching .
I crouched a bit, focusing fully on Lana as she gnawed playfully on my finger.
Nathan’s POV
My eyes refused to leave Aria.
It didn’t matter how many tis I told myself to look away, my wolf wouldn’t listen.
Every ti Rowland leaned a little closer to her, every ti she smiled up at him, every ti she shifted that soft pup, Lana, from one arm to the other...
A slow, vicious burn crawled through my chest.
Rowland was hovering around her like a guard dog...my nephew, of all people, shielding her from every angle, blocking half her face, half her neck, half of my view.
I could only catch fleeting glimpses of her—her delicate profile, the soft curve of her throat.
My fists clenched, my claws nearly breaking skin underneath. My chest tightened until breathing beca an effort.
From where I sat, they looked... dostic.
Like mates.
Laughing softly, taking turns holding the pup, sharing little whispers ant only for each other.
A perfect little family.
My vision bled red at the edges.
My wolf roared, pounded, demanded to tear Rowland away and drag Aria to my side where she belonged.
The jealousy was so sharp it tasted tallic on my tongue.
I didn’t even notice when soone dropped into the empty seat beside .
“Nathan!” Sophia’s voice hit my ear like a whine.
I jerked slightly, pulled violently from the storm inside my head. My expression snapped back into the cold, expressionless mask people expected of an Alpha.
I turned my head. “What are you doing here?”
The irritation wasn’t about her being at the auction. It was about her being right next to .
Right where Aria might look. Right where it might... be misunderstood.
Sophia shifted nervously. “You... you always used to bring along.”
I had no patience left for this.
“I don’t care. Sit if you want,” I muttered, rubbing my forehead.
But the mont she stayed...
My thoughts twisted.
What would Aria think if she saw this?
Why did that question punch a hole straight through my chest?
My hands tightened into fists again.
My wolf reacted, there was an unwelco spark of excitent at the idea of her noticing, of her caring. She was hurting sitting right there with my nephew, Rowland, maybe it is best if she sees with Sophia too..so she knows just how painful this is.
Sophia, clueless, perked up beside . I could feel her heartbeat quicken just from sitting close. But my attention kept dragging to the right, toward Aria.
Then she laughed.
Her laugh was light, bell-like and warm
It cut straight through the chaotic noise of the hall and slamd into .
My entire body stiffened.
The sound hit like an electric jolt.
And Sophia... noticed.
Her eyes glead with ugly satisfaction.
“Nathan,” she said too sweetly, “isn’t that Aria over there?”
My jaw locked.
She gasped dramatically. “Who’s that guy with her? I’ve never seen him before.”
My wolf snarled.
I turned a cold glare onto Sophia. It was sharp and lethal, like a warning.
Her breath hitched; fear spiked off her in waves. She snapped her mouth shut instantly, hands clutching her skirt. She was probably wondering why I was mad at her.
The break soon ended and the auctioneer banged the gavel, silencing the room.
“Next item is a rare antique necklace.”
When the velvet cloth lifted, an old pearl necklace glowed under the lights.
It looked simple and weathered. The necklace looked like it had a long history.
Right away, people started complaining. “That is a very plain piece for an auction like this. Is this a joke? One person said.
“Yeah, are they kidding us? Do they really expect us to bid for that?
“What’s wrong with the organizers? How could they accept such entry.”
Even as they spoke, my eyes remained on Aria. I noticed the expression of her face change into a sad one as she watched the necklace. Did it an sothing to her?
I was not the only one who noticed Rowland also did. Tears welled in Aria’s soft eyes causing my wolf to freeze.
Rowland bent close to whisper sothing to her, he was too close it made my skin crawl...then she grabbed his hand.
My chest felt like it cracked open. She looked at him with red, pleading eyes.
And Rowland, damn him—softened instantly, enclosing her hand in both of his.
She said sothing to him that I could not hear. It was as though she was begging him to do sothing. Then he replied her, agreeing to grant her wish. She imdiately beca cheerful.
I felt sothing sharp and vicious twist inside as she thanked him with a trembling voice while staring at the necklace. It was now obvious it was what she wanted, it must an sothing to her.
I would do everything in my power to buy it.
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