Aria’s POV
Before I could rise to check who it was, the door cracked open. Sophia’s friend from earlier, Jessica leaned in, her arms crossed, her face lifted in that familiar sneer.
“Sophia was worried you hadn’t eaten,” she said, though her tone made it clear she thought that idea was laughable. “She wants you to co down for barbecue.”
Her eyes drifted over , the pale dress, my tired face and sothing dark flickered in her gaze.
She scoffed. “Honestly, I don’t know why she bothers. Letting you starve wouldn’t be the worst thing.”
I stared at her blankly, letting her insults slide off my frost-bitten expression. My wolf wasn’t impressed either; I felt her huff with disdain.
Barbecue? From Sophia?
Since when did Sophia worry about anything that didn’t benefit her?
I rose to my feet, moving to shut the door. “No thanks.”
Jessica’s eyes widened. “What?”
She looked genuinely shocked, as if she had expected to go along with whatever she said like I was so obedient lap dog.
Anger surged across her face.
“You’re not going?” she snapped. “Aria, how dare you refuse? Don’t be ungrateful. All the chefs and servants are gone. If you don’t co, you’ll starve.”
I expected Jessica to puff up like a rooster and screech, but instead she just blinked dumbly when I stared at her with all the coldness my wolf could muster.
“Are you done?” I asked flatly.
Then I shut the door in her face without waiting for an answer.
She stood outside my door for awhile. A mont later her footsteps retreated, and then less than a minute later—
Click.
The entire villa plunged into darkness.
Lana gasped before bursting into a frightened cry. My heart clenched. I scooped her up instantly, rocking her gently.
“Shh, I’m here... Mama’s here,” I whispered, letting my wolf hum a soothing vibration through my chest, sothing pups instinctively responded to.
But even that didn’t calm her fully. She was hungry.
Carrying Lana in my arms, I turned on my phone’s flashlight and grabbed her formula, planning to head straight to the kitchen to prepare her food—
Then I stopped as a thought hit .
My wolf growled low.
A power outage? At Hemsworth Villa? When Jessica just left? How convenient.
I clenched my teeth. “Nice try, Jessica,” I muttered under my breath.
I stepped outside toward the large lawn and pool, scanning the area. There was no sign of Rowland. So my forced kiss with Nathan earlier... it really worked. A cold, uncomfortable twist ford in my gut.
Before I could think further, Sophia spotted .
She hurried over with a bright smile stretched too wide. Her scent hit my nose instantly.
“Aria! Didn’t you say you weren’t coming? Why are you down here... and with the child?”
The emphasis on child wasn’t accidental.
The surrounding wolves perked up imdiately, their attention snapping toward Lana. Curiosity spiked in the air, sharp and hot, washing over like a wave.
Of course they’d notice.
I heard so whispers.
“Aria Hemsworth is still Alpha Nathan’s legal wife...why is she standing here with a child no one had ever heard of.”
“It looks like it is her child...If they have a child, Why hasn’t Alpha Nathan announced it to the world yet despite his fa?”
“It might not be his child, maybe that is why it has not been made public yet”.
A chill slid down my spine.
I turned my gaze to Sophia. This power outage indoors must be her doing. She was trying to look innocent, but the gleam in her eyes said otherwise.
Nathan sat beside her, the empty seat next to him glaring like an open invitation. I ignored it and her. Then I made the announcent.
“Power’s out,” I said bluntly.
Nathan looked at , then repeated slowly, “Power’s out?”
His brows knit, real confusion flickering in his eyes. He tilted his chin at Collins to investigate. Hemsworth Villa didn’t just lose power. Soone pulled sothing.
Sophia’s expression twitched just for a heartbeat, before she crafted her sweet little smile again.
“Since the power is out, Nathan, you should arrange repairs. Aria, why don’t you join us? I want to celebrate with you. If not for your advice back then, I’d never have studied law... or helped Nathan later.”
Her sugary tone made my stomach turn. My wolf bared her teeth.
Help Nathan? As if she hasn’t been trying to replace since day one.
Jessica, annoyed at being ignored, shoved suddenly. Her palm hit my shoulder. Harder than I expected.
Caught off guard and holding Lana, I stumbled forward toward a soft chair.
Before I could fall, a strong hand grabbed my arm, steadying .
It was Nathan.
His scent rushed around , grounding . My wolf stilled, her ears perked forward.
The entire poolside fell silent.
Jessica’s hand was still raised in the air when a shadow lood over her.
Nathan turned toward her slowly... the temperature dropping with every fraction of a second.
His voice was quiet.
“Which hand did you use to push her?”
Jessica froze.
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