Aria’s POV
He was sitting on the couch, silent as a shadow, but his aura which was dominant, cold and fraying at the edges filled the room like winter air.
My instincts were right.
But I didn’t have the patience for him tonight. Not his authority....not his ego and definitely not his questions.
I turned to go check on Lana but his voice cut through the air.
“Aren’t you going to explain?”
I froze. My heartbeat stumbled. His tone wasn’t just irritated, it was wounded.
Confusion washed over , only to be swallowed by a sudden flare of anger.
I’d spent my entire day putting out fires. And now Nathan wanted to interrogate ? Over rumors?
I exhaled sharply and faced him.
“What,” I said, my voice cold enough to frost glass, “do I need to explain?”
The temperature between us dropped instantly. His eyes hardened...they were dark, wild and full of sothing dangerous and deeply personal.
“We’re not divorced yet, Aria,” he said, his voice low, his wolf edging into the words. “Why are you treating like I’m already dead?”
Nathan’s POV
Aria’s face was blank. That cold composure scraped against my nerves, setting my wolf on edge. I could feel it stirring beneath my skin, claws scraping against my ribs, urging to snarl, to dominate, to demand her attention.
My vision darkened at the edges. I laughed bitterly, half at her and half at myself.
She looked at like I was an inconvenience. Like I was noise.
Her lips curved into a frosty smile, and when she spoke, her words hit harder than any blade.
“Being a widow doesn’t sound so bad.”
My wolf roared.
I had co prepared to confront her, to demand answers but her indifference knocked the breath from my chest. It was worse than anger. Worse than tears.
“Aria,” I said, my voice rougher than I intended, “can’t you talk to nicely?”
She crossed her arms, her eyes glinting in the low light. Shadows carved her face into sothing sharp and unfamiliar. She laughed softly, mockingly.
“You were the one who started questioning . I’m no longer your employee, Alpha CEO. You have no right to talk to like that.”
The word CEO felt like a deliberate slash.
My throat tightened. The alpha in wanted to force her submission, to make her look at the way she used to but the man in was already losing ground. I rubbed my temples, my claws itching beneath my skin, then finally asked the question that had been poisoning my blood all night.
“The internet is full of photos of you and Jonathan Anderson,” I said. “Do you have anything to say about that?”
She stared at blankly. Before she could speak, the bitterness spilled out of , ugly and uncontrolled.
“Do you always rely on other n?”
Her eyes widened, shock flashing into fury.
“I rely on other n?” She pointed at herself, as if she couldn’t believe what she was hearing.
I barely recognized her anymore. It almost felt like the bond between us had snapped completely.
Anger burned through , feeding the beast inside.
“First Peter, then Rowland..As if that was not enough, Francis ca into the picture...and now Jonathan?.”
I stood, closing the distance in three long strides, my dominance pressing into the room like a storm front. I grabbed her wrist too tight.
“Who’s next? What exactly is he to you?”
If she would just soften, just lean into . I could protect her from everything, from everyone.
But she tore her wrist free, her eyes cutting into mine.
“Next could be anyone,” she said coldly. “But it will never be you.”
Sothing shattered inside my chest.
My wolf howled in pain and rage within , my body trembling as I grabbed her wrist again without thinking. Her refusal, her rejection, drove the darkness deeper.
I stared at her for a long mont, then smiled. Not because I was amused, but because sothing dangerous had settled into place.
“Fine,” I said softly. “I got rid of the others. Jonathan won’t be an exception.”
Her scent spiked, a mix of fear and defiance tangled together.
“What are you planning?” she demanded.
She threatened then, her fingers curling into my tie.
“If you touch him, I won’t let you off.”
To my wolf, it sounded like she was choosing another male, defending him.
My eyes burned red.
I pulled her closer before I could stop myself, instinct overriding reason. My hand pressed to the back of her head and kissed her, my wolf snarling...She’s mine, mine, mine.
She fought , hard. Then she bit .
Pain flared, but I didn’t release her, not until I felt it.
Her hatred...Her tears.
The mont I opened my eyes and saw the loathing in her gaze, my wolf recoiled.
What have I done?
Before I could speak, her palm struck my face.
The sound echoed through the room.
“You are disgusting.”
The word gutted .
She stumbled back, wiping her lips, her eyes blazing with revulsion. The woman who once looked at with warmth was gone. In her place stood soone who despised .
Fear crept into my chest.
“I’m... disgusting?” I whispered.
She didn’t answer. She walked away.
“Aria,” I warned, my voice low and dangerous. “I am still your husband and mate...Don’t make angry.”
She didn’t stop.
“If you get any closer to him,” I called after her, desperation and authority bleeding together, “I’ll buy out Celestyr Corporation!”
She paused at the door and turned back, fury blazing in her eyes.
“Nathan, you’re despicable!”
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