Nathan’s POV
Pain lanced through anyway. I spoke again, desperate now, even dragging Lana into it like a shield. “If you’re not satisfied, I’ll have Collins reinvestigate everything. But co ho first. Lana is still at the villa, can you really not be at ease?”
Her jaw was set. She looked at like I was a joke.
Her lips curved upward, but there was no warmth in it. “I will be at ease” she said calmly. “Once I’ve beaten those who want to harm Lana into submission and fear, she’ll be perfectly safe.”
Before I could react, she raised her hand again.
The whip cracked through the air.
Sophia’s face drained of color as her legs gave out beneath her. She collapsed to the floor, the scent of her terror filled the room.
“Nathan, save !” she scread, crawling toward on trembling hands.
“Collins, take Sophia out!” I barked, sidestepping her grasp as I ordered him.
Collins moved instantly, hauling Sophia away but I never loosened my grip on Aria.
That was my mistake.
In a flash, Aria twisted with impossible force, shoving aside. My balance faltered for half a second. She lunged forward, fisting her hand in Sophia’s hair and yanking her back. The sound of skin striking skin rang out again and again as she slapped her, ruthless and precise.
It happened faster than a heartbeat.
Then the whip ca down.
“No—!”
The crack echoed violently as Sophia scread. Chaos erupted only then...voices shouting, bodies rushing forward to pull them apart.
Sophia’s face was already swelling, it was red and distorted, tears streaking down her cheeks. She looked pitiful and broken.
“Sophia!” Margaret rushed to her side, cradling her as if she might shatter completely, her hands shaking as she examined the damage.
Helen stepped forward, placing herself between Aria and Sophia, fury blazing in her eyes. “Aria! Alpha Nathan already said it wasn’t her! Why did you have to be so cruel?”
Aria didn’t even look at her.
Her eyes were locked on Sophia like a wolf morizing prey.
“You know better than anyone what the truth is,” she said coldly. “If it happens again, the pain will be ten...no, a hundred tis worse.”
A pounding ache throbbed behind my eyes, sharp enough that even my wolf growled in irritation. Collins, ever sharp-eyed, moved first, stepping in to support Sophia before she could collapse completely.
“Take her to Hemsworth Group Hospital for a full check-up,” I ordered. My voice ca out hoarse, edged with authority I didn’t bother to soften. I spared Sophia one brief glance, her swollen face, the tremor in her limbs, before my attention snapped back to Aria. I tightened my hold on her arms, grounding myself in the feel of her pulse beneath my fingers.
“Nathan!” Sophia cried, summoning the last of her strength as she dragged herself forward and collapsed at my feet. She looked up at , pitiful and desperate. “My sister ca to my ho and beat senseless for no reason. You have to stand up for !”
Only then did I lower my gaze.
“Let Collins take you to the hospital,” I said quietly.
Sophia’s legs shook as she struggled to stand. Collins didn’t hesitate, calling for a stretcher from the nearby hospital. When it arrived, even the doctor flinched at the sight of her injuries and hurried to lift her onto it.
Margaret shot Aria a furious look but followed after Sophia anxiously, Helen also followed close behind. Collins closed the door behind them, sealing the apartnt in sudden silence.
Only Aria and I remained.
“Co ho with ,” I said again.
She laughed. It was short, sharp and full of mockery. “Ho?” she echoed. “Where exactly is ho for and Lana? And shouldn’t Alpha Nathan be seeking justice for Sophia first?”
She tossed the bloodstained whip aside, then crossed her arms over her chest, standing there calm and wronged, like a queen after an execution. My wolf bristled. She looked too composed and too detached.
I took her words as resistance, as another wall that had been set up between us, and opened my mouth to reason with her but she cut off.
“Where’s Lana?” she asked.
“At Hemsworth Villa,” I replied imdiately. “I’ll have the driver take you there.”
For the first ti, she didn’t argue.
Without another word, Aria turned and walked out, getting into the car as if the storm she’d unleashed no longer concerned her. I followed, my wolf restless and alert, pacing beneath my skin the entire drive.
We returned to Hemsworth Villa together
Aria’s POV
The mont we arrived at Hemsworth Villa and I pushed the door open, Lana’s laughter chid through the villa. It was clear and bright, ringing like silver bells against stone. My wolf stiffened instantly.
After everything that had happened, joy without warning was never harmless. I followed the sound, each step light and silent, my instincts flaring.
The living room ca into view.
Rowland was there.
He was crouched on the rug, letting Lana tug at his fingers while she laughed, her warm scent wrapping around my heart. Relief surged through so fast it almost hurt. When Rowland looked up, his eyes t mine, surprise flickering across his face. Nathan stood nearby, but the expression in his eyes ran deep.
“What are you doing here?” Nathan asked Rowland, his voice low.
“Finally got so free ti, Uncle Nathan,” Rowland replied easily, standing up with a lazy smile. “Thought I’d visit. But honestly, how could you leave little Lana alone in the villa?”
The way he said it made my ears ring. My wolf caught the undertone imdiately. There was more there, but I didn’t have ti to dissect it.
I crossed the room in three strides and lifted Lana into my arms. The second she saw , her bright laughter softened into gentle coos, her tiny hands clutching my clothes as if anchoring herself to .
Nathan’s irritation flared. “I need to discuss sothing with your sister-in-law,” he said. “You should leave now.”
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