Aria’s POV
“Great.” I replied, exhaling, so of the tension in my muscles easing. My wolf purred beneath my skin. I smiled lightly and didn’t dare ask further questions. Too many questions would lead to places I wasn’t ready to go.
“Ta-da!” Rowland stepped forward, opening the door for .
The door swung open, and a modern office stretched before . A light gray carpet like fog at dawn, floor-to-ceiling windows that breathed open sky. White curtains fluttered beautifully. A tallic photo fra stood on a marble table with my picture inside.
I froze. This room was built specifically to my taste. Too much thoughtfulness that must have gone into its making.
A twinge of emotion clawed through my chest, sharp and unfamiliar. I hated not knowing what I felt. Rowland watched , his eyes softening.
“What do you think?” he asked, smiling with that fearless confidence of soone who never heard “no” in his life.
“It’s beautiful. I love it,” I replied, clenching my fists until my claws pricked my skin. The smile on my lips felt stiff and unnatural. Overwhelming was an understatent. My heart thudded like a warning drum.
Rowland’s eyes darkened just for a mont before a bright grin split across his face. “I knew you’d like this style. The marble was custom-made by a renowned artist. Look, the patterns mimic wolf fur. Aren’t they beautiful?”
I studied him, searching for sothing...ulterior motives, hidden traps, the predator glint I was used to seeing in others. But everything looked so... natural.
Then a loud clatter echoed from downstairs.
CRASH!
Instinct roared to life within ; my hearing sharpened, scent drifting toward ...Patrick, Margaret... and fear.
Rowland and I exchanged a look, our wolves rising to alert, and we peered through the window.
Patrick stood outside, Margaret beside him like a storm cloud. But they weren’t alone. There were reporters, caras, chaos.
“Aria, co out here!” he barked.
At the sight of him, the tension evaporated. My posture loosened; a languid smirk curled my lips.
I descended the stairs slowly, every movent controlled and graceful.
“That door costs ten grand. Damage it, and you’ll pay every dollar,” I said coolly. My wolf bared her teeth inside , amused when Patrick halted.
“What are you trying to do, Aria? Will you only be happy once you’ve destroyed the entire Darvin family?!”
Oh, the irony.
The Darvin family destroyed long ago.
Rumors spilled from the reporters...lies and twisted narratives.
Luna Aria, we hear you’re acquiring shares of the Darvin Group. As the only daughter of the Darvin family, why are you eager to start your own company? Are you worried that because of your parents’ favoritism, Sophia might inherit the Darvin Group.?"
"Luna Aria, could you respond to the online rumors accusing you of slandering your parents and being a habitual liar since childhood?"
"Luna Aria, who is your daughter’s father? Rumor has it you’ve divorced Alpha Nathan. Has the father reappeared?”
When they brought up my daughter, my instincts snapped.
My eyes sharpened, my vision tunneling, wolf instincts rising like a storm. The scent of fear rolled off them, and for once, they were smart to be afraid.
“Anyone who drags my daughter into this will face charges of slander and defamation,” I warned, my voice low and feral. My wolf lurked under my skin, ready to tear throats.
There was silence.
The one who asked about my daughter quivered. “Get out,” I snarled.
Rowland moved. One mont the reporter stood there, next mont, he was out the door, Rowland’s hand fisted in his collar.
Like he was throwing out trash.
Sophia lurked behind the caras like a viper. Pretending innocence. Acting like she cared. She didn’t sll of guilt...no, she slled of envy, rot sweetening the air like decay.
“Sister,” she said, her tone all sugar, “that was his job. How could you let Nathan’s nephew treat him like that?”
My wolf’s hackles rose as the dia’s murmurs spread. They made so many hushed remarks about Rowland.
I looked at Sophia, finally letting the venom rise.
“Sophia... your mom’s dead. I’m still alive. My daughter doesn’t need your judgnt.”
Gasps filled the air. Caras flashed.
Clarence wasn’t dead, and Sophia knew it. Just as Patrick knew I knew. His pulse skipped. His scent spiked with fear.
Rowland leaned against the door fra lazily, his eyes glowing. “Exactly. An illegitimate child has no place to speak.”
Sophia’s face twisted, fury bleeding through her facade.
Margaret stepped forward. “Aria, compared to Sophia, you’re the one we’ve cast aside!”
The words hit harder than claws.
My body didn’t flinch, but my wolf whimpered inside, an old wound ripping open.
My fingers trembled. Then, I felt warmth.
Rowland’s hand found mine like an unspoken vow. His gaze teased , challenged and soothed .
This? his eyes said. This is what shakes you?
He raised an eyebrow at , golden irises glinting with mischief and that wild charm only an Alpha-born wolf could possess.
That look... it hit like a claw to the chest.
My heart skipped.
I forced my lashes down, steadying myself. When I lifted my gaze again, ice replaced the heat. A winter storm where fire had been.
“Mrs. Darvin,” I said, my voice slicing through the air, “I ceased being part of the Darvin family long ago. If you have sothing to say, say it to the dia.”
My wolf flexed, wanting to bare her teeth. Instead, I clapped my hands. The sound echoed like an Alpha call. A mont later, the late security guards burst in, breathless, sweat clinging to their brows.
“Our company is not open to the public,” I continued, my chin raised in warning. “Trespassing has consequences, legal ones.”
Rowland chuckled softly beside . “There are high-definition caras in every corner,” he said lazily, gesturing upward with a tilt of his head. The way his muscles moved made the room fall quiet. He didn’t need to growl to command fear.
All eyes shifted to Patrick.
He faltered. His scent soured with anxiety. He’d co here ready to tear into , but legal trouble? Loss of reputation? That threatened the thing he valued most: control.
“Aria,” Patrick began, clearing his throat, voice adopting that faux gentle tone he always used when lying. “I built the Darvin family with my own hands. Even if you feel wronged, why take it out on the Group? Why drive your father to a heart attack?”
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