Aria’s POV
I struggled with a restless growl in my chest. I was worried about Alia. I had seen evidence that had been brought to light online just last night.
She had revealed that she had been asked by her superiors to rig Francis’ case and make him lose from the beginning.
That definitely would tilt things in Francis favour, Alia’s superiors were also being investigated at the mont... but what about her?. She had been unjustly striped of her position and no one is doing anything about that.
I picked up my phone and called Nathan.
My wolf was uneasy, pacing inside as the call connected. For so reason, I expected him not to answer, but he did.
“What’s the matter?”
His voice was deep and steady, lacking the usual frost that normally pushed to hang up quickly.
I tightened my grip on the phone, my fangs pressing lightly against my lower lip before I forced them back. “The third Chapter of the three-Chapter agreent,” I said quietly. “I want to change it... to a condition.”
“A condition?”
I heard the subtle shift in his tone.
“Help Alia return to her rightful position,” I blurted out before my courage could falter.
There was silence.
My wolf lifted its head, ears pricked. The pause stretched just long enough for doubt to creep in.
“Okay.” He finally replied.
I froze.
Before I could say anything else, the call ended. The abrupt dial tone humd against my ear. I stared at the screen, stunned, my heart beating out of rhythm.
I set the phone aside as my wolf slowly settled, though not entirely at ease. Lana stirred in my lap, her small hands clutching her spoon as she contentedly sipped her rice cereal. The warmth of her little body grounded , easing the tightness in my chest.
I brushed aside my lingering frustration and gently stroked the soft new hair sprouting from her head.
As things stood, Francis and Lucious’ case would be reopened.
I exhaled slowly, relief loosening sothing inside . Just as I’d said earlier, everything was finally moving in the right direction. The rotten branches were being cut away, one by one.
I lifted my chin slightly, my lashes lowering to conceal the chill in my eyes.
Later in the day, I called for the nurse, asking specifically for a vegetarian al. The nurse looked startled, apparently my sudden cooperation with both eating and treatnt was a rare miracle...but she agreed happily.
She returned not long after, her expression curious.
“Luna Aria, a lady nad ‘Alia’ is here to see you.”
My heart skipped. “Let her in.”
I moved too quickly, and pain flared through my side like a warning growl. The nurse imdiately fussed over , checking for tears in my wounds before reluctantly going to notify Alia.
In the brief wait, my strength ebbed. Even though they assured there were no serious complications, my wolf felt sluggish, injured, in need of rest. Healing always took ti, especially after everything I’d endured.
Soon, Alia appeared by my bedside.
She stood upright, dignified in her solemn judicial robe. My gaze sharpened instinctively.
With the caregiver’s help, I sat up straighter. I raised an eyebrow, a faint smile glinting in my eyes.
“Back in your position?”
Alia pressed her lips together, studying my pale face and weakened state. She nodded.
“That’s good,” I said softly. Even speaking tugged at the bindings around my injuries. Nathan had been swift. It had bare been a few hours since I asked for the favour.
Alia looked at with complicated eyes.
It was almost as though she knew I had sothing to do with her being reinstated in her position.
As if confirming my thoughts, she said solemnly
“Thank you, Aria.”
I blinked, caught off guard, then laughed softly. “What’s this about?”
“I know I was able to return because of you.”
I smiled but didn’t answer right away, studying her for a long mont. “It’s deserved,” I said finally. “I love this profession too. And we need people like you to stay.”
Then a thought surfaced, sharp and sudden. “But your impulsive exposure last night... are you sure it’s okay?”
It still surprised . Soone as controlled as Alia choosing to reveal herself so recklessly...it went against everything I knew of her.
“I actually got promoted.”
She smiled.
“Congratulations.” I giggled, beaming with pride.
Looking at her now, standing taller and brighter, it was clear she’d stepped out from beneath anyone’s shadow for good.
“In that case,” I added lightly, “if you save again soday, I won’t have to hide by the trash heap.”
Alia froze, then realized I was joking. She awkwardly touched her nose, clearly unsure how to respond.
Seeing that rare mont of embarrassnt, laughter crinkled my eyes. My wolf purred softly, amused.
The hospital room, for once, felt warm and calm.
Nathan’s POV
The interrogation room at Hemsworth Villa was thick with fear.
My wolf felt it, the sour stench of panic seeping from the nanny’s skin as she sat across from , her hands clenched so tightly her knuckles had gone white. I hadn’t even pressed yet, and she was already fraying.
Just then her phone rang.
She glanced down instinctively at it. It was an unknown caller.
“Answer it,” I said flatly.
She took the phone with trembling hands and was about to answer when a thought ca to mind. I grabbed the phone and answered it instead.
Maybe if I heard the voice on the other side, I would figure out who ordered her to harm Lana.
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