Nathan’s POV
Like sheep to a shepherd, like prey to the slaughter, everyone moved as a mob, their noise, whispers and rumors trailing like smoke.
“Didn’t she live with Alpha Nathan?”
“Are they divorced.” “Why divorce her now?” “Is he siding with Sophia?” “Maybe Aria lied all along...”
Their speculation was a rot spreading through the pack.
My wolf paced inside , furious. You should say sothing. It urged.
But the words wouldn’t co. My silence made complicit.
When we reached Shevron Estates, security blocked the way.
“Luna Aria isn’t here.”
Margaret screeched, “It’s nightfall! She has to be ho!”
I lifted my eyes to the sky. Twilight swallowed the horizon. The moon peeked through, my wolf stirred, restless. The world held its breath.
“Is she scared?” Patrick taunted, chin raised, slling like smugness and decay.
A dangerous glint lit his eyes.
Aria’s POV
I told the driver to stop before we reached the gates. The mont the car slowed, I sensed it, the chaos. There was an angry mob in front of my estate. My senses sharpened, wolf instincts rising to the surface.
I pushed the door open, and the noise hit like claws scraping against my ears.
A mob had gathered at the entrance of Sierra Estates, their shouts echoing even from a hundred yards away. Voices rising like a pack that had gone feral.
My eyes narrowed, focusing beyond the swaying mass of bodies.
Then I spotted them. Patrick, Margaret and Sophia
Of course it had to be them.
They were standing like vultures circling my ho.
And then, my gaze snagged on a tall figure standing apart from the others. He was by the side, watching.
Nathan.
My heart clenched tight. A chill crawled down my spine. My wolf bristled, ears tilting forward in instinctive recognition.
Why is he here?
Did he bring them?
Very few people knew I moved out of Hemsworth Villa. Fewer still knew where I actually stayed now.
My jaw tightened. Fury flickered within .
I forced a smirk, cold and sharp. “Pathetic,” I muttered to myself, annoyed I’d even reacted.
“Driver,” I said, flicking my fingers dismissively. “It’s blocked ahead. Take another route. I’ll pay extra.”
He didn’t question , he was a smart man. He imdiately turned the car around. I rolled up the window, sealing out the screams, the accusations, and the wolves desperate for a villain to tear apart.
As we drove off, I grabbed my phone and sent a ssage to Kara:
Deny entry to anyone, make no exceptions.
ssage sent.
Before I could lock the screen, my phone vibrated. It was Patrick.
I almost laughed at the audacity.
I answered but didn’t speak.
“Aria,” he began, his voice booming, fake righteousness dripping like rot. “We’re at your building. I can’t believe you’d spread lies to ruin and your sister, even defaming the deceased Ms. Clarence. Our family is reputable. How could we raise such a rebellious daughter? If you’re not guilty, clear it up in front of the dia and the public!”
He spoke like a martyr on a stage, loud enough to be heard by the mob...I could hear them reacting in the background.
I said nothing.
Silence was a weapon.
“Aria, are you scared?” he taunted, putting the call on speaker. I could practically sll his smugness through the phone.
My wolf growled, low and dangerous. Scared? ? If only he knew how prepared I was to tear his lies apart with my own claws.
He thought he was untouchable. That hiding Clarence, controlling Margaret, parading Sophia as the sainted sister, made him safe.
He thought wrong.
Finally, I let out a cold laugh, soft and lethal. “Still in the mood for a showdown?” I purred. “Then maybe you should check on Darvin Group first.”
“What do you an?” He asked.
“Why don’t you check the Internet for yourself and find out” I replied.
There was a heavy pause. I imagined his expression the mont realization began to dawn, panic slithering into his veins like poison.
He scrambled. I heard frantic tapping. He was probably checking the internet to know what was going on with the Darvin Group.
He was about to find out the Darvin Group stocks were plumting. My wolf’s satisfaction purred through .
Shareholders were selling fast. I was buying faster and I was doing so publicly.
It was ti let them finally learn I am not prey.
Patrick’s voice ca back, strangled. “Aria... what do you want?!”
I smiled, leaning back in my seat. The city lights flashed across the window, slicing my reflection into fragnts.
“All the initial funding for your startup,” I said softly, “ca from the Osborne family.”
He sucked in a sharp breath.
Without concrete proof of Clarence yet, I wouldn’t confront him outright. But that didn’t an I had to sit still while he tried to rip apart.
My voice dropped, low and lethal:
“It’s ti to pay it back.”
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