Aria’s POV
I gasped, breaking off the kiss and pressed my hand on Nathan’s chest as I struggled. “L-Let... let go.”
Hr didn’t leave . Of course he didn’t.
He was an Alpha wolf, broad, solid and immovable as a damn mountain.
Through the floor-to-ceiling windows, anyone outside could see the way his body caged mine, the closeness that made us look like lovers tangled in a private mont instead of two wolves locked in a dangerous standoff.
Panic surged through , I was not comfortable with how close we were.
But Nathan didn’t loosen his hold. If anything, his fingers tightened at my waist. His palm pressed into my side and a sharp spark shot through .
An electric pulse. A mate-bond echo.
One I refused to acknowledge.
I stiffened, breath caught in my throat as I stared straight into his darkened eyes.
“Nathan...” My voice betrayed , trembling, the threat I intended completely crumbling.
For a mont, only our breathing existed...his deep and steady, mine shallow and frantic.
Then his hand slid to the back of my head, firm and commanding.
Before I could jerk away—
His mouth crashed into mine again, slow and lingering this ti, like he was tasting every fragnt of defiance I had left.
My lips stayed sealed, resisting, but my struggles softened into weak pushes.
“Let go,” I whispered against his mouth, the words dissolving into his breath.
He eased the pressure, just enough to speak, his voice low and sharp.
“You wanted him to see this, didn’t you?”
My heart punched my ribs.
I hesitated, just for a mont before instinct pulled my gaze to the ground below.
Rowland...He stood there, not far off. The light from the villa windows frad the hollowness in his eyes. There was no mischievous spark, just emptiness.
His fists were still clenched tightly. Sothing twisted deep in my chest, unexpected and unwelco. I blinked rapidly and lowered my gaze.
But Nathan wasn’t blind.
He saw it, every flicker of emotion I failed to hide. His gaze turned razor-sharp.
He grabbed my chin and forced to face him, then kissed again. It was even more deeper, and fiercer, a claiming bite disguised as a kiss. His tongue slid into my mouth just as I parted my teeth to breathe.
My wolf snarled inside , angered, humiliated and shaken.
In that quick mont, I saw Sophia now standing outside near Rowland.
Her fury was raw and burning.
She looked ready to claw soone apart.
The weight of their stares bore into from below. My thoughts tangled, my mind spiraling.
And Nathan took advantage. His tongue pushed deeper, his hand anchoring my waist like he could fuse us together under the moonlight.
Sophia was whispering sothing to Rowland. Despite straining my sharp ears, I couldn’t pick them, nor did I hear Rowland’s reply delivered with a cold expression.
Soone ca and said sothing to them and they left but not before throwing one last glance our way.
Once they had dispersed, I stomped on Nathan’s pristine, ridiculously expensive shoes.
He inhaled sharply, pain flickering across his features.
But instead of anger...
He laughed.
It was soft, deep and infuriatingly indulgent. Like I was so wild creature he didn’t mind getting bitten by.
My stomach twisted with nausea and cold. I backed up once, twice, then several steps more, needing distance and air.
What the hell was I doing?
My mind was a whirlpool, my heartbeat a snarl, my wolf pacing in pure agitation.
I shot Nathan one last murderous glare—
Then turned and ran.
This ti, he didn’t chase .
Didn’t call my na.
Didn’t try to stop .
He just stood there in the dim glow of the villa.
And as I fled, I saw him lift a hand to his lips, his fingers brushing where mine had been.
My nerves were a tangled ss, my wolf paced restlessly inside , the way she did whenever danger, guilt, or confusion pressed too close. Yes... I had wanted to use Nathan. To push Rowland away once and for all. To make him abandon whatever hope he still had. But I hadn’t expected the act to feel so real...
I shook my head sharply, trying to clear the noise in my mind. I needed to get back to Lana, my little pup, the one thing that could settle the storm in my chest.
I reached the first-floor landing when a familiar shadow fell over . I froze.
“Aria...” Rowland’s voice was soft, almost fragile, as if a single breath could shatter him. “Do you... still like him?”
His scent brushed against , it was warm and gentle. My wolf whimpered feeling slightly uncomfortable. He wasn’t my mate. He never was. But he had always looked at with a softness I didn’t deserve.
“You said he hurt you... you said you wanted to end things...” His voice cracked, swallowing questions he didn’t dare ask. His damp eyes lifted to mine, wide and confused, and my throat tightened painfully.
I turned away, refusing to breathe in his scent again. “Rowland,” I said flatly, “it’s not possible for us. We cannot be together.”
My tone was icy, deliberately so. A clean cut hurts less, or at least that’s what I told myself.
He stared at as if trying to reconcile this cold, distant woman with the one who had once smiled gently at him. Then he let out a small, bitter laugh.
“Alright.”
That one word hurt more than a scream.
Before I fully processed it, he was already walking away. His scent drifted with him, fading into the distant hallways. Only when it vanished completely did I exhale and blink myself back into reality.
Don’t think, don’t feel, just move. My wolf adviced.
I slipped through the corridors, avoiding pack mbers and curious gazes, until I reached the bedroom. I pushed the door open.
A servant looked up, startled, she was playing with Lana on the bed.
“Luna Aria?” she gasped, rising as if to steady .
I raised my hand weakly. “I’ll take care of her.”
Even speaking felt like it drained the last strength from my bones.
She hesitated, clearly worried at my deanor, but bowed and left. The soft click of the door closing echoed like a sigh in my ears.
I stumbled forward and collapsed beside Lana. Only when my face pressed into her tiny chest did my wolf finally relax. The knot inside began to untangle.
Lana blinked up at , her bright amber eyes full of innocent wonder. She clapped her little hands, babbling, “Momo... Momo...”
My heart lted instantly. “I’m here,” I whispered.
I leaned forward to kiss her forehead, but Nathan’s hands on my waist, his breath mingling with mine, his kiss from half an hour ago flashed across my mind.
My lips froze just an inch above Lana’s skin. Moon goddess... What is wrong with ?
A knock snapped back to the present.
I frowned. Who could it be at this ti?
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