Nathan’s POV
Aria turned around.
The mont her eyes t mine, my wolf surged forward with a mix of relief, hunger and guilt, all tangled together.
"Nathan?" Aria frowned, her scent shifting sharply into wariness. "Why are you here?" Her gaze swept over from head to toe, cool and assessing. "Are you following ?"
The accusation hit harder than I expected.
I pressed my lips together, forcing my wolf back. Don’t bare your throat. Don’t chase.
"No," I said quickly.
I caught it myself and lowered my gaze, schooling my expression. "I have business in Duckspire as well," I added more evenly. "I didn’t expect to see you here." I realized how stupid that was considering I was the one that told her she could find answers in Duckspire.
"I...an I didn’t expect to see you on this very spot" I corrected, even though that was still dumb. "I just happened to notice soone bothering you."
Her eyes lingered on , sharp and searching, like a she-wolf deciding whether I was predator or prey.
After a long mont, she looked away.
"How is he bothering her?" Alia spoke up, clearly still rattled but instantly defensive on the young man’s behalf.
"How is it not bothering?" I snapped. "Aria doesn’t even know him, yet he keeps trying to follow her."
My gaze shifted to the pale man standing beside them.
The mont I focused on him, my wolf bristled.
Sothing about him felt wrong. I let a sliver of Alpha pressure leak into my stare.
"Whether he is bothering or not is none of your business." Aria said coldly.
The word struck deeper than claws.
She didn’t look at as she spoke, but the rejection was unmistakable. My wolf recoiled, hackles flattening in reluctant submission.
I could tell she didn’t believe I was here for business. Duckspire was too small, too insignificant for Hemsworth Group to bother with. The timing was too perfect. Even I would’ve doubted myself if I were her.
She said nothing more, just turned and walked away.
"Aren’t you coming?" she said over her shoulder, not to but to the pale young man.
The pale man lit up instantly and followed, his attention glued to her like a newly imprinted pup.
Watching him trail after her, sothing dark coiled tightly in my chest.
Alia hesitated only a second before hurrying after them, shooting Aria a look that practically radiated approval. They got into a taxi and the door slamd shut.
And just like that, they were gone.
I stood there, unmoving, as the night air pressed colder against my skin.
Duckspire hadn’t been this cold when I landed.
My hands curled slowly into fists, my claws itching beneath the skin as my gaze locked onto the direction they’d disappeared. My wolf paced restlessly, teeth bared, deeply unhappy.
She was mine.
"Alpha Nathan!"
A familiar voice broke through the haze.
A low-key Maybach pulled up beside . The driver hurried out, bowing slightly as he reached for my luggage.
"I didn’t expect your flight to arrive early. I’m terribly sorry for being late."
I didn’t respond. As he passed , his shoulders jerked, and he shivered visibly from the Alpha aura radiating from .
Aria’s POV
The mont I stepped out of the elevator, the air felt different. This place wasn’t hostile, but it wasn’t familiar either.
Alia and I stopped at our hotel room door.
"I booked you a room across the hall," I said, pointing Logan in the right direction.
For once, he didn’t cling or protest. He nodded obediently, his blue eyes earnest, like a pup finally told where to sleep. When his door clicked shut, the tension in my shoulders eased.
Only then did exhaustion crash down on us.
After quick showers, Alia and I collapsed onto the bed, limbs heavy, wolves finally settling after a long day of travel.
"Aria," Alia said, staring at the ceiling, voice dazed, "he’s definitely got his sights set on you. But we need to investigate tomorrow. Should we bring him along?"
I knew what she ant. The whole situation still felt unreal. Not only because her brilliant, untouchable Alpha idol had turned out to be awkward and strangely innocent, but because that sa idol looked at like I was his anchor.
And he’d said he rembered her.
"No," I said imdiately. My wolf didn’t even hesitate."Of course we’re not bringing him."
Alia sighed. "I know, but... he seems helpless. I’m a little worried about leaving him alone."
I turned my head to look at her, my lips twitching despite myself. "You know it is often said that when fans et their idols, It usually breaks the spell affecting them."
"Stop it, Aria," she said seriously. "I am not under any spell, I just admire his talent."
I snorted softly. "Even if he’s childish?"
"So what?" Alia waved a hand. "Talent is talent."
I shook my head, then sobered. "Still, we can’t bring him. Even if not many people in Duckspire know what we’re here for, our plans need to stay hidden. Let him stay at the hotel."
"You’re right," Alia agreed, rolling onto her side. "So what’s the plan tomorrow?"
The mont we got down to business, my wolf straightened, alert. My thoughts sharpened instinctively, like slipping into a hunt.
"First, we visit his family," I said. "Based on Rowland’s recording, Patrick’s control over Tyler isn’t just financial. Tyler’s family is involved."
Alia nodded. "And... if we have ti, maybe we should visit the hospital where Tyler’s wife gave birth."
Our gazes t and I nodded.
Tomorrow, we will set out for answers.
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