Aria’s POV
Collins softened his tone. “But please don’t worry excessively. We’ve arranged elite protection for you, and Alpha Nathan has already taken care of those involved.”
At the ntion of Nathan, sothing inside steadied.
His thods may be cold, but his promises were iron.
I forced myself to breathe. “All right. I’ll trust your arrangents.”
My thoughts shifted. “And... how is Nathan dealing with the online rumors?”
My wolf growled, rembering the cruel words people had hurled at Lana. A pup. Barely one year old—yet slandered viciously for “fa.” Humans could be uglier than rogues.
Collins hesitated. “Since you asked us not to reveal Ms. Lana’s birth details, we can only suppress the rumors using Hemsworth Group’s influence.”
My brows furrowed. So the truth that Lana was born under the moon’s blessing, not in disgrace still had to remain hidden? Everyone though of her as a child born of an affair but that was not true at all.
Collins rushed to add, “With Hemsworth Group’s involvent, no dia outlet in Asterfell will dare stir further trouble. It’s only temporary... but it will shield both you and Ms. Lana for now.”
I bit my lip, tasting the faint tallic tang of my own blood...my wolf stirred at the scent, restless, pacing just beneath my skin. My eyes burned with the weight of the choice before .
If Lana’s birth stayed hidden, the whispers would grow claws... tearing at her, at . But if the world learned she was Nathan’s daughter, then our mate bond that is already fraying, would trap us together forever. There would be no divorce, no clean break for and no freedom.
I swallowed the words caught in my throat, clenching my fists until my nails threatened to pierce my palms. A low growl humd in my chest. Nathan’s influence stretched far and strong enough to silence the tabloids and stop the rumors tearing at Lana like hungry rogues.
And that... that’s what stung.
He protected her....He protected us.
While I, her mother, felt like I was failing her at every turn.
He saved when I was kidnapped. He shielded Lana when the online wolves circled. Compared to him, I felt... inadequate and weak, like an oga pretending to stand among alphas.
My chest tightened until it hurt to breathe. I lowered my lashes to hide the sting in my eyes. My voice ca out as little more than a whisper.
“I understand. You can go.”
Collins misread my silence as disappointnt over so “temporary asure.” If only he knew the storm inside , maybe he would understand.
With a quiet nod, he left, returning to Hemsworth Group. The rumble of a car engine drifted away into the distance, snapping back to myself. I lifted my head, fire flickering in my gaze.
Fine. If Lana’s identity had to remain secret, then I would be her shield, not Nathan, not anyone else. Once the divorce was final, I wouldn’t have him to rely on—not as a husband, not as a mate, not even as a reluctant protector.
If I wanted to survive in this world of alphas and power, I needed to rise.
To beco sothing more.
The persistent online attacks, the threats... all of it made one thing painfully clear—my dream of peace was nothing more than a fantasy a naïve she-wolf might cling to.
I had to grow stronger...stronger for Lana...stronger for myself.
Lost in my thoughts, I jolted when my phone chid, the notification sharp enough to make my wolf bristle. Then ca the familiar ringtone.
It was Alpha Williams.
His voice burst through as soon as I answered, full of boyish excitent.
“My brother said he’s coming to Asterfell soon. Do you want to et him? He says he admires you, this mysterious designer.”
I blinked, thrown off balance. His brother admired ? The idea almost felt foreign.
A soft laugh escaped as I cleared my throat. “I’m... flattered.”
Oblivious to my embarrassnt, Williams barreled on, energetic and warm.
“Of course he’s impressed! You have no idea how your designs from a year ago exploded in popularity and made my brother a fortune!”
I couldn’t help the small smile tugging at my lips. His voice wrapped around like a brief, welco distraction.
“See? I told you trusting was the right choice! Aria, your talent is unmatched!”
Before I could respond, another voice slipped in, steady, deep and unmistakably powerful.
“Did I hear you’re having so trouble?”
I straightened instinctively, my wolf perking up. The rustling on the other end faded, replaced by that calm authority.
“I heard Williams tried to help without asking,” the man continued, his voice composed but commanding, “and now you’re caught in that debate about the authenticity of the C-brand dress?”
His phrasing was polite, but every syllable carried weight.
And suddenly... I was no longer speaking to Williams.
I was speaking to Alpha Jonathan, a man who could change everything.
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