Nathan’s POV
"Don’t touch ," I hissed slowly but my body betrayed , causing to collapse back into the seat. The room spun. Aria blurred into mory and reality all at once.
Sophia’s palm landed on my chest.
I recoiled, instinctively.
Then my gaze lifted.
For a split second... her face overlapped with Aria’s. My wolf whimpered, confused. My heart was torn, my soul bleeding.
I reached for her wrist, barely conscious, my voice breaking.
"Ar... Aria?"
She froze. Then her heartbeat changed, a cold thrill rushing through her. She leaned closer, her breath brushing my ear.
"I’m Aria," she whispered. "You’re drunk. Let take you to rest."
My wolf recoiled, snarling. Liar. You are not our mate.
But my body was weak. My vision was fading.
And guilt... guilt was a leash around my throat.
So I didn’t fight when she pulled up.
"Dad, Mom, Nathan’s drunk," Sophia announced proudly. "I’ll take him to a hotel."
Patrick waved lazily. Clarence nodded.
As Sophia helped stumble forward, I looked back, throwing one last glance at the table where Aria was seated with Rowland.
Aria didn’t look up. She didn’t watch go.
It was like I no longer existed in her world.
And maybe... maybe I deserved that.
Aria’s POV
"Check, please," Rowland said, his voice oozing that reckless mix of arrogance and charm he seed to be born with. His confidence rolled off him like heat.
I barely paid much attention to him. My eyes were locked on Sophia’s retreating form as she led a drunk Nathan out of the restaurant. She glanced at , flashing a mischievous smile. Sothing in my chest tightened. It was between worry, anger and instinct. I wasn’t sure which. My wolf stirred restlessly beneath my skin, ears pricked.
Rowland settled the bill and asked for directions to the cinema, all smooth smiles and social grace. Conveniently in the opposite direction from the one Sophia had taken.
"No." The word ca out an urgent whisper from my throat. "We won’t be going to the cinema tonight, Follow ."
Before doubt could cloud my thoughts, my hand wrapped around Rowland’s wrist. His skin was warm and the heat raced up my arm like fire. I pulled him with , heading in the direction Sophia had disappeared. He didn’t resist. In fact, he fell into step behind almost instantly.
His gaze burned into the place where my fingers held him. I felt the tremor in him, a pulse of energy that made the hairs on my nape rise.
Stop noticing that, Aria...Focus. My wolf cautioned.
"There," Rowland murmured when I hesitated, his eyes cutting toward the skyline. The Hilton Hotel. That was Sophia’s destination. It was quite close to the restaurant.
I quickened my pace. At the entrance, two staff mbers moved to close the doors. Panic clawed up my ribs; I lunged forward. "Wait!"
They froze, startled.
"A man and a woman just ca in," I said, my breath sharp. "The man looked drunk. Which room did they go to?"
Their eyes darted to each other. I scented their unease.
"Who... who are you? We can’t disclose..."
Who was I? I thought. With all the new headline I was making, one would think they would recognize instantly.
"I’m on official business." I flashed the badge Alia insisted I carry in case I needed it, the emblem of authority gleaming. I straightened, letting the weight of my lineage bleed through my posture, my voice. "Please cooperate."
Recognition flickered in their eyes. The presence of a judge from the supre court was not sothing to take lightly.
Rowland stepped forward and placed a black card on the counter with a soft clack.
"The man inside is my uncle, Alpha Nathan," he said. His voice dropped. "He’s with a woman who shouldn’t be trusted. We’re checking on him."
The staff shuddered, their eyes widening. I didn’t need to read their minds; their scents told the story. They were afraid and imdiately ready to comply.
"Ms. Darvin booked the space exclusively today," one stamred, "but... given the circumstances, we can show you to their room."
"Lead the way," I commanded.
They obeyed. Rowland followed beside , close enough that his arm brushed mine occasionally.
The corridor stretched ahead.
Finally, we stopped in front of an executive suite. The plaque glead under the chandelier lights. My pulse pounded in my ears. Sothing inside was wrong, I could feel it in my bones.
"This is the room," the staff whispered.
"I’ll handle her if she tries anything," Rowland said, clapping the staff mber’s shoulder. There was no doubt in his voice. He ant it.
Both staff mbers left.
There was silence. It was just and Rowland. His gaze t mine, electric and intense. Two wolves at the threshold of trouble.
I tightened my grip on the badge, on my resolve, on the wolf thrashing against my ribs.
Rowland nodded once. "Are you ready, Aria?"
I inhaled sharply, letting my wolf rise, my eyes flashing gold.
"Always."
We pushed the door.
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