Aria’s POV
“I’m sorry for taking up public space... Even though we aren’t biological sisters, I’ve always considered Aria my real sister... I’m happy to share my joy with her... Please stay calm.”
My wolf snarled angrily imdiately.
Her words were sweet on the surface, but the poison underneath was unmistakable. It was a gentle push, encouraging the crowd just enough to turn on without looking like she wanted them to.
And the internet fell right into her trap.
Sympathy flooded toward the presud poor, gracious and selfless Sophia.
And ? I beca the perfect target, a villain crafted by rumor and malice.
Within minutes, they’d even found my private blog.
A sharp, searing anger burned through . My wolf paced, her teeth bared.
But I didn’t even have ti to process my fury before danger found in the flesh.
I hadn’t made it ten steps toward the taxi before I heard the first shriek:
“Is that Aria? It’s her!”
Heads whipped around, dozens of them.
All staring at like a pack ready to tear apart a lone wolf.
A chill ran down my spine, instincts flooding my limbs. My body moved before my brain did.
“Get her!”
“Make her apologize to Sophia!”
“Teach her a lesson!”
Their voices echoed like war cries.
And I ran.
My wolf surged with adrenaline, urging my muscles to go faster...run, run, RUN...I sprinted faster.
A rapid glance behind confird it, they weren’t stopping.
Their eyes glowed with the kind of fanaticism I’d only ever seen in territorial wolves driven mad.
Pain tore through my heels, fire blooming with every step, but stopping wasn’t an option, not when I knew exactly what happened when a mob lost control. Years in law had shown too much darkness to risk being caught.
But then...
I skidded to a halt, I had just entered a dead-end alley.
My stomach dropped. My wolf growled, her fur bristling. I was trapped. I hid in asmall corner but it was only a matter of ti before they would see .
I contemplating shifting to my wolf and fighting them, but there were too many of them. I cannot possibly take on over twelve feral werewolves at once.
Their footsteps echoed closer, weaving through the alley mouth.
“She must be guilty! Why else would she run?”
“Check inside, she ran into this alley!”
“She’s here sowhere!”
My pulse thundered in my ears.
Then, I heard a familiar voice.
“Who are you people? Causing a scene in Asterfell?”
It was Collins. His voice cut through the chaos like a blade.
I spun around just as he stepped into the alley entrance, blocking it with the solid, unmoving presence of a seasoned beta. His silhouette was massive against the light, radiating authority strong enough to make even the rowdiest werewolves hesitate.
My breath caught.
How was Collins here at this mont?
How did he find so fast?
I didn’t have ti to ask.
A hand suddenly wrapped around my wrist. It was firm, warm and familiar enough to freeze in place.
“Co back to the office with .”
It was Nathan.
My breath faltered. My wolf went utterly silent, recognizing her mate instantly, even through my panic. His voice was steady and cold as ever.
He stood over like a shadow carved from steel, the light outlining the sharp features I once morized by heart.
I hesitated, a wave of dizziness rolling through . His grip tightened just a fraction, steadying . I looked up, and for a split second, I saw the man I had loved for so long... the man whose scent still lingered in the deepest corners of my mory.
Outside the alley, voices still murmured:
“Even if you’re Alpha Nathan’s beta—this alley is public—his pack is not the only pack in this country. We don’t answer to you.”
Collins’s commanding voice bood back,
“If you have any issues, feel free to submit them to Hemsworth Group! We wouldn’t have you harrassing our Luna.”
Silence swallowed them whole.
Nathan didn’t let go of my wrist.
He simply turned and led away.
Inside the car, I collapsed onto the cool Italian leather seat. Nathan slid in beside , and my senses were instantly wrapped in the cool, woody sll of his dangerously comforting scent.
“Do you know Alpha Jonathan Anderson?”
Nathan’s low, deep voice cut through the silence first.
I frowned.
“Jonathan Anderson? No. I’ve never heard the na.” I lied.
Nathan studied for a mont. His eyes, sharp as a wolf assessing his prey. He searched my face as if searching for any sign of deception. My heartbeat stayed steady. My wolf lifted her chin with confidence.
Satisfied, he exhaled and looked away.
“He’s the CEO of Celestyr Brand,” Nathan explained, handing a tablet. “He publicly defended you on their official blog this morning.”
I already saw the official post made by Celestyr brand earlier but I still tok the tab from Nathan and scrolled through it. I saw a whole lot more comnts beneath his post. So defended . Others tore into with teeth bared.
Then I saw a reply from a verified account with the na Jonathan Anderson in response to accusations that Nathan had sothing to do with the post.
“Celestyr Brand clarifies that this information is authentic and the speculated Alpha Nathan Hemsworth has not made any contact with our brand. Moreover, we voluntarily offer Luna Aria a dress in compensation.”
My wolf snapped her head up, startled. Alpha Jonathan had gone to this great length for ? A man I haven’t even t yet?
A photo was attached...
The contract I’d signed two years ago.
Heat prickled along my spine. People were already reacting:
“Who is this Jonathan guy? Verified and defending her??” “Wait—Aria invested in Celestyr Brand two years ago?!” “A lawyer turned investor? She’s got connections!”
Two camps ford imdiately, those impressed by my influence, and those shocked by my strategic foresight.
Nathan shifted beside . He looked at again, really looked, as if seeing a stranger sitting next to him.
“Is it true?” His voice was low. “You invested in Celestyr Brand a year ago?”
“Yes,” I answered simply. My wolf bristled within .
Nathan’s gaze drifted to my neck, lingering a second too long before he cleared his throat.
“Hemsworth Group will issue an ergency PR response based on the latest information.”
I nodded and kept my gaze forward and calm, though my wolf paced beneath my skin, restless with the tension coiling between us.
A mont passed before Nathan spoke again, more softly.
“Aria... what else don’t I know about you?”
His question struck deeper than I expected. I lifted my eyes to his...
Just then, his phone rang.
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