Aria’s POV
Francis’s offer hung in the air, heavy and impossible to ignore. My eyes felt stuck, unable to blink, unable to process what he had just said.
I stared at him as if waiting for him to laugh and tell it was a joke.
But then he arched a brow and pretended to get angry. “I’m a renowned research expert now, you know. That look makes seem untrustworthy.”
A laugh escaped . It was small, but real. My wolf eased slightly, her tail flicking with cautious amusent.
The tension in the air dissolved.
Seeing that, Francis’s expression softened before turning serious again. “Aria,” he said quietly, “I an it. Co to .”
He hesitated, then added even softer, “Do what you like. What you want to do.”
His words struck like a blow. My blood stirred, warming painfully in my veins.
This ti I didn’t hesitate.
“...Okay.”
Yes. I wouldn’t allow what happened a year ago, those lies, that betrayal, to bury . I wouldn’t abandon the career I fought so hard for. When the truth finally ca out, I would rise again, stronger. I would beco a wolf who refused to be silenced.
My eyes brightened with that resolve.
Francis stared at intently, and I saw his breath catch. The look in his eyes flickered, like he was staring at sothing too bright. Sothing that hurt to look at directly.
He quickly looked away.
We walked on, and he began showing the research lab, explaining everything in that patient tone of his. I felt almost embarrassed by how foreign everything seed to now. Like a wolf seeing fire for the first ti.
At the end of the corridor, white light spilled in through glass doors.
As soon as we stepped outside, a woman stood waiting, her arms full of papers. She was young and round-faced. But her eyes which were sharp at the corners, dulled her softness.
She looked at first, then at Lana sleeping in Francis’s arms. Her voice trembled. “Mr. Murray... who is this?”
Francis ignored the question and instead turned to . “This is my intern assistant, Rose.”
I smiled politely. “Hello. I’m Aria, a friend of Mr. Murray.”
The formality tasted strange on my tongue. Even my wolf flicked her ears with mild annoyance.
Francis shot a glare, as if scolding silently.
What’s with the ‘Mr. Murray’?
I nearly laughed at his wounded pride. eting his eyes, I lifted a brow, teasing him without a word.
Rose noticed. Her face twisted for a second before she ducked her head, letting her glasses slide down to hide her expression. Bitter jealousy rolled off her. I could tell imdiately that she had a thing for Francis.
She thrust the papers at him. “Mr. Murray, the lab report just ca in.”
Her tone was too forceful. Francis frowned but took it. “I understand. You can go.”
But she didn’t move.
“The dean wants you to handle it as soon as possible.”
Her voice trembled with sothing. Was it desperation? Anger? or Fear? Francis gave her a longer look, and she clenched her fists.
The tension grew stale in the air, so I stepped forward. “Go handle it. It’s getting dark. Lana needs to get ho.”
Francis’s stern expression eased. “Okay. I’ll see you next ti.”
Rose froze at those words as though she had never heard his say them before or even speak in that manner.
I took Lana back into my arms and walked away. A breeze caught my skirt, fluttering it like white petals in the dusk.
Behind us, Rose’s jealousy flared like a sour scent in the air.
I could almost feel her eyes burning holes into my back.
---
I climbed into Francis’s car. Harry greeted with the comfortable familiarity of soone who’d already adjusted to my presence.
“Ms. Darvin... are you newly divorced?”
I blinked at him. He must not know who I am. Nathan wasn’t the only alpha in this country afterall. Also I do not particularly look like the Luna of Ironclaw pack everyone knew. I smiled softly and replied. “My husband is dead.”
Harry almost dropped the steering wheel. “I—I’m so sorry—”
“It’s fine,” I said casually, waving a hand. My wolf huffed with dry amusent. If only he knew.
Harry stayed quiet after that, but I could feel his pity radiating off him. He kept glancing at my reflection in the mirror, probably seeing a tragic young widow instead of a wolf mother who’d survived far worse.
If he knew the truth, I might’ve actually laughed.
By the ti we reached Hemsworth Villa, the evening breeze had cooled the air. I carried Lana inside, her soft whimpers reminding she was overdue for her milk.
But as soon as I stepped in, sothing felt wrong.
The villa was dark and silent.
My wolf bristled instantly, fur standing on end. I slowed my steps, my senses sharp, listening, sniffing, tracking every small sound.
Halfway through the living room, a faint light appeared.
And then I saw them.
Two bodies entwined.
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