Aria’s POV
My expression remained cold.
“Sophia didn’t do anything to you! Stop saring her na!” Margaret said through clenched teeth.
I turned to the security guard and he imdiately sprung to action. “If you do not leave, I will make sure you do!” The crackle of his electric baton echoed in the air causing Margaret and her sister to hurriedly leave but not without hurling curse words at .
Once the smoke from their retreat cleared, I stepped out fully disguised. My wolf prowled beneath my calm exterior, sensing every shift of the bustling street, alert to the invisible eyes of those who might try to sha in public.
The driver followed my lead as I directed him to an eatery where Alia had agreed to et . My senses were alert even as we approached.
Inside, the simplicity of the place contrasted sharply with my tense energy. Even masked, my posture and poise drew eyes, whispers brushing against like wind across fur. My wolf growled low at their curiosity.
Then I spotted Alia, quietly seated in the corner, her simple dish of chicken leg untouched but enough to ground her amidst the storm. Relief washed over .
I slid into the seat across from her. “Why the simplicity?” I asked, my tone light but eyes alert.
A wave of guilt and sympathy rolled through as I looked at Alia, my wolf stirring restlessly beneath my skin. My senses were sharper than usual. I could hear the clink of cutlery, the soft rustle of leaves outside the diner, even the faint beat of her heart across the table.
Alia, however, remained infuriatingly calm. She took another bite of her salad as if the world hadn’t just chewed her up and spat her out.
She set down her fork and glanced over my outfit, her eyes flickering with a brief note of appreciation.
“Try to avoid places where your identity might be recognized,” Alia said gently. “I’ve lost my job, and finding a new one won’t be easy, so I have to be careful with my savings.”
Her tone carried no bitterness. Coming from a modest background, she was used to tightening her belt, used to swallowing injustice whole. My chest tightened painfully. My wolf growled low, furious on her behalf.
I clenched my fists under the table, nails biting into my palms. “Why don’t you co work at my studio?” I blurted out. “I could pay you a salary.”
Alia looked at , genuinely confused. “Your studio? Aren’t you a fashion designer? What could a law graduate like possibly do there?”
I opened my mouth to explain, to tell her I didn’t care what role she took, that I just wanted to protect her, but she lifted a hand, stopping .
“You don’t need to compensate out of guilt,” she said calmly. “This was my choice. I stood by the profession I love, not just to help you.”
Her words hit hard. She lifted her teacup and sipped with an almost serene grace. For a mont, she looked unreal, glowing softly in my eyes, despite being half a head shorter than . My wolf tilted its head in quiet respect. It was a sha the legal world couldn’t appreciate soone like her.
“If there’s nothing else,” Alia added, “you should leave. It’s not safe for you to be out in the open right now.”
Her fork paused, then she looked up at again. “I’m doing alright.”
I knew what she ant. Don’t worry about ...Survive your own storm first.
I didn’t want to leave, but Alia was stubborn in that quiet, unyielding way. I finally sighed. “Alright, take care.”
The words were simple, but they carried everything I couldn’t say. Her fork paused once more as she nodded in silence.
The mont I stepped out of the diner, the air changed.
My wolf stiffened, hackles rising.
Two familiar scents hit at once. They were sharp, unpleasant and laced with malice. Margaret and her sister. Their eyes lit up the second they saw . My heart dropped.
“Over here!” Margaret shouted, her voice slicing through the street. “She’s right here!”
My pupils constricted as her triumphant smile burned itself into my mind like fireworks. Before I could move, the crowd surged forward, werewolves from different packs, not bound by loyalty in any way. It was a rabid mob.
“Aria!” soone scread. “You secretly influenced the judge for an unfair ruling! How dare you show your face here?”
“Don’t let her get away!”
The cries overlapped, rising into a furious howl. People waved their arms, righteous and feral, eyes gleaming as they closed in. I stood frozen, my wolf pressing hard against my ribs, begging to run, or fight.
Margaret fanned the flas, her voice shrill. “Aria’s a disgraceful daughter! I tried to reason with her today, and she threatened to cut ties with and had thrown out of Hemsworth Villa!”
Her sister stepped forward, her eyes shining with the sa twisted hunger. “Our family was ruined because of Aria! She ignored blood ties and acted viciously! We had no choice but to seek justice from everyone here!”
Each accusation fed the crowd’s fury. Their gazes locked on as if I were wounded prey.
“Soone so wicked doesn’t deserve to live!” a voice howled.
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