Alpha's Regret, Begging My Convict Luna Back Chapter 16

Aria’s POV

When Mrs. Mrs. Jennifer left, my gaze snagged on the other street cleaner — the man everyone said had no family, living off scraps and favors. He lounged lazily on a bench near the hedges, his arms folded behind his head, his tools abandoned at his feet. His na was Jas, Anita’s nephew.

Anita. The woman who’d cost three thousand dollars with the snap of a finger. My fingers closed around the broom handle until the wood creaked.

Jas had slipped sothing into his pocket ten minutes ago. Now, he sat there like he owned the world.

I had no choice but to risk it all. It was either risk or retreat — and I’d promised Lana I would not let anyone take away what kept her alive. So risk it was.

Dusk bled into the streets. Under the street light, I kept sweeping, each stroke a counting of minutes until I could go ho, until I could tuck Lana into sothing warr than this thin blanket.

I was just finishing my section, nudging a stray wrapper into a neat pile, when the voice ca. It was loud, arrogant and carried a deep sense of entitlent.

"Hey! You — the one with the kid. Co sweep over here too. You hear ?"

Popcorn skittered across the pavent as he spoke. My eyes found Jas across the street, stretched out on the bench, the limp obvious in the way he favored one side. His clothes were too clean for a cleaner’s, his posture too relaxed. He shoved the empty tub of popcorn aside and watched like I was a show.

"Sorry, who are you?" I said, and ant it. I let my confusion slide across my face like a shawl as I pretended not to know who he was.

Jas scowled, his eyes full of lazy contempt. "My aunt’s Anita. Does that ring a bell?" He jerked his chin toward , then nudged a broom across the pavent with his boot. "Go sweep this area too. And when you’re done, let know. If I catch you slacking, I’ll have her fire your ass."

He picked up his phone and started watching so nonsense, a live-strear giggling, the screen flashing bright. He smirked, satisfied, as though the world owed him obedience.

I caught a glimpse of his phone screen. Top donor. Figures. He was the kind of man who threw money at strangers online but couldn’t buy a shred of decency in real life.

My fingers tightened around the broom and I just started sweeping again in slow, chanical strokes.

Prison had burned a lesson into : sotis, survival ant bowing your head. It ant knowing when to act small, when to let your pride rot in your gut and pretend you didn’t feel the sting. Because one wrong look, one word too sharp, and the whole world could crush you for daring to fight back.

So when Jas barked the order, I obeyed, broom in hand, head low, shoulders tight.

But after a few strokes, the fury started simring in my blood. It humd beneath my skin, hot and electric, my wolf stirring, restless.

Why are you bowing, Aria? she whispered in the back of my mind. You’ve served your ti. You’re free. Stop letting them step on you.

I clenched my jaw. The air was thick and hot, my throat burning with thirst. I reached into my bag and pulled out my water bottle, unscrewing the cap. Just one sip — that’s all I wanted.

Before the rim even touched my lips, a rough hand snatched it away.

Jas.

He tipped the bottle back, gulping half of it in one go, so of it spilling down his chin. "What’re you drinking for?" he sneered.

"And what’re you staring at, huh? Hurry up and finish sweeping so I can clock out. You’re holding up from watching hot girls."

He laughed, shoving another handful of popcorn into his mouth.

I stared at him in silence. My heartbeat slowed, heavy and cold. He was a tall man and looked quite ruthless. I had a baby in my arms. If it ca to fight, I might be nothing but a punching bag.

He drained the rest of my water, then crumpled the empty bottle and tossed it at my feet like garbage. "Pick it up," he muttered, already glued back to his screen, laughing at whatever filth he was watching.

I said nothing. Just looked at him.

Lana stirred against my chest, letting out a soft sigh. I brushed my hand over her hair and whispered a silent promise to her. Soon. Just one more day. Then they’ll see.

Because I had a plan now. Jennifer Mrs. Jennifer wasn’t so ordinary woman— and tomorrow, her power might be the weapon I needed to finally make them pay.

Then, suddenly, Jas cursed, clutching his stomach. "Damn it—why the hell’s my stomach acting up now?" He glared at , his eyes wild. "Did you put sothing in that water?"

A deep, loud growl echoed from his gut — not the kind that ca from anger, but from agony. His face went pale, his knees buckled, and he clamped his legs together, gripping his backside as if his life depended on it.