Aria’s POV
Kara, Alia, and I left the Darvin family house like warriors broken from war but still standing tal
In the car, the silence pressed against . I clutched the tin box so tightly my knuckles ached.
The box was old and ugly, like sothing forgotten in an attic.
My claws slid out just enough to crack the rusted lid. I saw so clothes inside and beneath them was a single yellowed page.
It was music notes to a song I’d never seen.
My wolf paced beneath my skin, claws tapping at the inside of my ribs. Even after all these years, I rembered Grandma’s scent. It clung to the paper faintly, like a mory refusing to die.
I stared down at the sheet music, the faded ink, the delicate strokes.
My eyes widened as realization dawned. “Is this really Antigonus’s Symphony of Prosperity?” I murmured out loud.
Alia leaned over, her brows knitting. “Are you sure?”
My heart skipped. I passed it to her with both hands, careful like it was made of spun moonlight.
Her fingers brushed the page, and my wolf perked up, watching. Alia mouthed the silent rhythm, her eyes tracing the notation with reverence.
Then excitent flooded her scent.
“This is Antigonus,” she breathed. “The Symphony of Prosperity. Without a doubt.”
I exhaled, my breath shaky.
“But...” Alia’s tone shifted. It was heavy and grounded. “Whether it’s an original manuscript, I can’t say.”
She looked up, her eyes gleaming like polished steel.
“Antigonus was a legend. A maestro the world bowed to. Even a scrap of his handwriting is priceless. But his symphony?” She shook her head, awed. “If this is real, it’s worth more than anything the Darvin family could ever dream of.”
I tucked the sheet back into the tin, as gently as a mother wolf placing her pup back in the den.
“Authenticating it won’t be easy,” Alia warned. “There are barely any experts left.”
I nodded. “Even if it’s just a keepsake... it’s mine.”
My wolf pressed proudly against my chest.
My grandmother left this for us. She left us a ton of fortune, everything she had.
“Thank you, Alia,” I whispered.
“For standing by and for believing .”
She smiled. “Always.”
For a mont, the car felt warm and safe.
Then Kara snorted from the front seat. “Too bad you didn’t let smack him.”
She cracked her knuckles for emphasis. I instantly pictured Patrick’s face. It was red, shaking with fury, dangling like prey in a wolf’s jaw. A dark, delicious satisfaction unfurled inside .
“What could be more perfect,” I murmured, my eyes gleaming, “than shattering the pride of a man who worships his reputation?”
Kara pumped her fist, grinning.
Light and bubbling laughter spilled between us.
Nathan’s POV
My wolf paced behind my ribs like a caged storm, restless, snarling at every shadow in my mind.
The bar reeked of alcohol and scents of wolves. Even though I’d rented out the entire second floor, their scent clung to the walls like stale mories. I sat alone, drink after drink burning down my throat, trying to drown instincts that refused to die.
“Aria,” I muttered, fingers trembling against the glass. Just thinking her na sent my wolf into a tailspin of anger and longing. None of it made sense anymore.
Footsteps approached.
I slled him before I heard him.
Rowland.
Collins must’ve sent him to try and stop from drinking. My beta never knew when to back off.
Rowland approached, his brows raised. “Feeling so down you’re ignoring even your most important work, Uncle Nathan?”
I lifted my gaze. His silhouette blurred for a mont...damn alcohol. I could feel the beast in pushing for control, my vision sharpening unnaturally.
“What are you doing here?” I growled. My voice sounded wrong, deeper, edged with sothing feral.
“I was told you had a major project today with your business associate. I tried calling you like crazy,” Rowland shrugged, sitting opposite . “I didn’t expect to find you here.”
I wanted him gone. The presence of another alpha wolf only ignited my irritation.
“Aren’t you leaving?” I snapped.
“Nope. I’ve been sent. You need to attend your eting Uncle Nathan.”
Perfect. He was here to babysit like I was a pup.
When I finally called Collins and learned about the eting I’d apparently postponed three tis, I had no excuse left. I felt ashad. I stood, my chair scraping the floor. My reflection in a nearby mirror showed my eyes, they were glowing faintly amber. My wolf was threatening to surface.
I needed to pull myself together.
Outside, the sky hung heavy and gray, like the world reflected the storm inside . I lit a cigarette, inhaling deep. Smoke tangled with my breath, carrying the faintest hint of growl.
Collins rushed over. “Alpha Nathan.”
“We’re not late, are we?” My voice ca out cold and clipped.
He glanced at his wristwatch, “We are almost late”.
“Let’s go. Directly.” I ordered.
We left and soon arrived at our destination. The nightclub lood ahead. Neon lights, pulsing music. Wolf scents were so thick I could taste them on my tongue. My senses scread.
Inside the private room, voices fell silent. Three alpha brothers were seated, surrounded by friends . It was the eldest alpha’s birthday. He was my agemate and childhood friend. He had repeatedly invited for outings and I always declined due to work. Today happens to be his birthday and the day we sign a business proposal.
Their heads bowed, instinctively acknowledging my presence as I entered.
“Alpha Nathan, we thought you might skip out again,” the younger Alpha joked, handing a drink.
I downed it in a single gulp though alcohol barely affected my enhanced tabolism anymore. Still, if I drank enough, maybe I’d feel sothing.
When we were done discussing business, the eldest Alpha asked.
“What’s going on with you? You do not seem like your usual self.”
“Nothing, I am fine.” I replied coldly, pouring myself a glass and swirling it.
“Is it about Sophia Darvin?” he pressed with a bemused look on his face.
User Comments
0 comments from readers