Aria’s POV
Ethan’s voice died in his throat.
Collins didn’t wait for explanations. He stepped toward , bowing slightly, his tone respectful.
“Luna Aria, it’s too crowded out here. Please, go inside.”
The gate opened instantly.
Without another glance at Sophia or her friend, I straightened my back and walked in with my head held high.
The mont I crossed the threshold, the gate shut behind , restoring order outside.
Hemsworth Villa was massive, one part was our ho, one part was like a kingdom. Besides the building Nathan and I lived in, there were ballrooms, lounges, galleries. Tonight, they’d opened most of them.
From the second-floor window, I watched guests swirl like colorful insects below. I held my phone, still listening to the warm voice speaking in that rare language few in this country could understand.
“So, did you receive it?” the voice asked.
“Yes,” I replied softly in the sa language. “It’s beautiful. Thank you.”
“No need to thank . But when will you co back? I’ve been sleeping terribly lately.”
A small smile tugged at my lips.
“When I finish what I need to do.”
Their reluctant sigh told they hated that answer.
When the call ended, I looked down at Sophia again. She was on the lawn playing hostess, smiling, glowing, practically basking in the attention.
My wolf snorted...Let her shine.
I turned to the bed.
The gown was laid out perfectly, looking exquisite and luxurious. It was the kind that never failed to make a statent.
A knock suddenly echoed through the room.
My heart lurched, and I yanked a blanket over the gown in one swift motion. The gust of movent made Lana squeal and clap happily in her baby chair.
“Shh,” I murmured, smoothing her hair quickly before checking the room.
Everything looked normal. I walked towards the door and opened it.
Nathan stood outside.
His eyes imdiately swept the room behind , searching for sothing. Maybe expecting a ss, or evidence, or... who knows. He found nothing, and I watched the suspicion drain from his expression.
“The villa is hosting a celebration for Sophia,” he said formally. “As my wife, it would be inappropriate for you not to attend.”
His voice was steady, but I saw the hesitation flicker in his eyes. The uncertainty...the pain.
He swallowed and pressed his lips together.
“If you really don’t want to go... then don’t bother.”
The words sounded like they cost him sothing. Then he turned.
He barely took two steps before my soft, mocking laugh slipped out.
“Who said I didn’t want to?”
He stiffened and turned slowly.
I t his eyes. “As the hostess, it would indeed be rude not to attend.”
A cold smile curled my lips and I closed the door.
And through it, I let my final words land like the tip of a claw:
“I’ll be there on ti.”
Nathan’s POV
The door clicked shut behind her, and I found myself staring at it like a fool—frozen, trying to read a woman who refused to be read.
She said she’d attend the celebration, and that should’ve eased sothing in ... but her voice had been flat and cold.
My wolf paced under my skin, growling low. She agreed, but she didn’t an it.
A heaviness settled in my chest. I turned away, my jaw tight, irritation simring hotter with every step.
Outside the main building, Jessica, Sophia’s friend stumbled right into my path.
My wolf recoiled. Her eyes widened at the sight of , and she froze like a prey caught beneath a hunter’s shadow.
I was in no mood.
“Move,” I snarled, my voice sharp enough to cut ice.
She flinched, the scent of her fear spiking instantly. She scrambled to speak, “Alpha Nathan, Sophia sent to find you.”
I stopped. “Sophia?”
She nodded eagerly. “She wants to start the party early and asked to tell you.”
Start early? My brows furrowed. The schedule for events never changed. I never allowed them to change.
But she was the guest of honor. If she wanted it, I’d allow it.
“Lead the way,” I muttered.
I brushed the dust from my suit. It was still the sa one I’d worn all afternoon at the office. I followed Jessica with long strides.
Jessica knocked on the dressing-room door. “Sophia? Are you in there?”
There was no reply.
My wolf’s ears perked, my instincts sharpening. Sothing felt... off.
She knocked again. “Sophia?”
Still nothing.
Jessica paled. “Could sothing have happened to her?”
She fumbled for the spare key, unlocked the door and the mont it swung open, Sophia turned toward us like a startled doe.
A soft gasp left her lips.
Her shoulders were bare, her back exposed as she clutched a fabric to cover herself.
Jessica began stamring apologies. My expression hardened.
My wolf growled low, not out of desire, but annoyance.
Sophia’s eyes trembled as she whispered, “I didn’t hear the knocking. I was... focused.”
Before I could tell them both to get a grip, voices approached, there were too many of them. Footsteps, chatter, impatience.
Then a crowd rounded the corner.
“Ms. Sophia Darvin, where’s the party supposed to start?”
“Didn’t you say it’d start early? Why isn’t anything happening yet?”
They all stopped as soon as they saw the scene.
Sophia half-dressed, myself standing nearby and Jessica looking guilty.
Their eyes widened as gasps and murmurs rippled through the atmosphere.
Sophia scread again, louder, clutching at her dress as if she were the victim.
Jessica panicked and tried shooing people away. The crowd scattered like startled birds, whispering feverishly.
I stood perfectly still, my hands in my pockets, my expression unreadable.
Inside, my wolf bristled with irritation.
This didn’t look like an accident, it looked like it was perfectly planned.
Just then, my eyes t Rowland’s cold gaze and darkened.
What was he doing here?
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