Aria’s POV
Alia’s expression shattered completely.
She stared straight at , her eyes screaming, as though she was shocked at what was happening?
Alia, who had handled countless bizarre cases and dramatic clients, looked like she’d stepped into a dream she couldn’t wake from.
I sighed softly and offered the man an apologetic smile. "I’m sorry, but we don’t know each other."
"I know you!"
His eyes lit up instantly. Afraid I might get up and walk away, he spun around and hurried back to his seat. When he returned, he clutched an exquisitely crafted leather bag to his chest.
The mont I saw it, my wolf stirred.
I narrowed my eyes.
At first, I’d suspected so elaborate scam but that bag erased most of my doubts. It wasn’t modern. It was ancient in design, dieval even.
I had seen sothing like it once, years ago, while browsing Kate’s bookshelf. It was an artifact style that only circulated among noble families in packs centuries ago.
"Look!" he said eagerly.
His English was still clumsy, but his eyes shone with sincerity so pure it made my chest tighten.
He held out an old photograph.
The instant I saw it, my pupils shrank violently.
I shot to my feet, my wolf surging forward as I grabbed his arm. "Where did you get this photo?"
"Ow—!"
Pain flashed across his face.
I froze, realizing I’d lost control. Quickly, I released him and stepped back. "Sorry."
"It’s okay!" he said quickly, shaking his arm. "My na is Logan. You probably don’t rember, but, you’re Aria, right?"
He said my na perfectly.
Foreign tongues usually stumbled over it, yet he pronounced it with deliberate care, as if he’d whispered it over and over until it beca instinct.
My wolf went very still.
Questions flooded my mind.
"What about your full na?" Logan asked gently. "Aria... what’s your full na?" He already knew my na, I thought for a minute he would know my full na considering I was quite popular in Asterfell with all the scandals about that had made it online. Also, I was married to the richest Alpha in Asterfell.
The curious look on his face though, said otherwise.
"You still haven’t told how you got that photo," I replied coolly.
Faced with my hardened tone, his shoulders drooped slightly. Still, he didn’t hesitate. He handed the photo to again and pointed at the man beside the woman in it.
"This is my grandfather, Alpha Maxwell."
"Grandfather..."
The word echoed hollowly as my gaze slid to the woman in the photograph.
Of course I recognized her instantly.
She was my grandmother.
She looked impossibly young with smooth skin and radiant eyes, not the fragile, wrinkled face from my mories. She was breathtaking. I had always known she was beautiful when she was younger... but seeing her like this stole the breath from my lungs.
But why was she standing beside a foreign Alpha?
Confusion tangled tighter around my heart.
I handed the photo back slowly.
Alia looked like she’d completely detached from reality by now.
"Alpha Logan..." she whispered, staring at him as if he might vanish. "Your grandfather knew Aria’s grandmother?"
She pointed between us, dizzy.
"I rember you," Logan said suddenly, turning to Alia with a gentle smile.
Her eyes flew open. "?"
He nodded.
Then said nothing. He gave no explanation. The air between the three of us grew unbearably awkward.
Thankfully, the train finally arrived.
As Alia and I stood to leave, I sensed movent behind us.
Logan followed.
He was not too close, not too far either. He was exactly three steps behind, like a lone wolf trailing a pack warrior.
I stopped and turned. "Even if our elders once knew each other, we’re strangers now. Are you still planning to follow us?"
"I want to go ho with you..." he said softly, his eyes wide and earnest.
Alia looked like her entire worldview was collapsing.
I bet she was trying to reconcile the Logan Smith she knew, the Alpha renowned pianist with the man following us right now, looking like an abandoned pup.
Alia covered her face.
I couldn’t help but wonder why soone I just t, regardless of our familial ties, would want to follow ho when he could go to any hotel and stay for as long as he wanted.
"Then tell ," I said slowly, my voice firm, "why you ca to Duckspire and why you’re carrying that photo."
"If I tell you... will you take ho?" His eyes lit up again.
My lips twitched, but I nodded. "Yes."
"My grandfather died five months ago," Logan said in a rush. "I was on tour. I only found out afterward. Before he passed, he left that photo and asked to find the woman in it... and visit her."
Sothing heavy settled in my chest.
I exhaled slowly. "My grandmother... she’s already passed away."
Logan froze.
I turned to leave.
"I told you," he hurried after , grabbing the hem of my coat. "You promised."
Kate’s na echoed painfully in my mind. My chest felt tight, my wolf restless and uneasy.
"The person you’re looking for is gone," I said quietly. "You don’t need to stay in Duckspire."
"No!" Logan stepped closer, gripping my coat tightly. "Aria...I ca to find you, too."
"She’s not the person you’re looking for."
The voice sliced through the air, deep, cold, and carrying Alpha pressure so sharp my wolf recoiled instinctively.
I froze.
That voice...was very familiar..
My heart sank as I slowly turned around.
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