Aria’s POV
There was a pause before Chloe spoke. "From what Maria told you earlier, and from what we dug up, Patrick is playing the benevolent wolf. Her son was critical, and Patrick promised to use his influence to get him into Asterfell General."
Asterfell General Hospital and Hemsworth Group Private Hospital were the best in the country, they stood at the peak, they have state-of-the-art equipnt, elite specialists, and resources even most packs couldn’t touch.
"Do you think Patrick would genuinely ensure proper treatnt of the boy?" I asked, rising and handing Lana to Kara before moving toward my study.
"That’s the problem," Chloe replied coldly. "While Maria was visiting, I overheard the nurses." My steps slowed as she continued, "Patrick only secured admission but never followed through with the specialists he promised. If proper treatnt had started half a month ago, the kid might have recovered. Now..." Chloe exhaled sharply. "It’s too late."
The words settled like lead in my chest as my wolf stirred, displeased. Patrick had always been calculating, but sacrificing a child’s life so casually, all to find a weak, desperate caretaker for Clarence?
My jaw tightened. "Can you contact the hospital and see if an elite team can still intervene?" Even as I said it, I knew the odds were thin, but wolves didn’t abandon a fight simply because it was unwinnable.
"I’ll try," Chloe said imdiately, and then Alia spoke again, her tone shifting. "One more thing...I listened outside Sophia’s room."
I leaned back against my desk, my fingers curling slightly as she continued, "Margaret and Sophia were discussing how to get that bracelet you are wearing back from you, it represents the Osborne family heir. Also, Margaret plans to use it to secure benefits from the Osborne family for Sophia."
Silence followed as I lowered my gaze to my wrist, my fingers brushing the cool surface of the bracelet.
I already knew the significance of the bracelet. I also knew Margaret didn’t like the fact that I had it. Now she wanted to steal a wolf’s family heirloom and hand it to an adopted daughter?
A slow, calm laugh left my lips. "I understand," I said, my voice steady and edged with ice. An adopted wolf had no claim to bloodline rights.
"Aria, dinner’s ready." A man’s voice drifted down the hallway, growing closer with each step, the sound carrying easily to my ears.
I lifted my head and saw Rowland standing in the doorway, a spatula in one hand and a pink apron tied snugly around his waist.
My shoulders stiffened instinctively as our eyes t, the air between us briefly taut like stretched wire.
His gaze flicked to the phone in my hand before he asked casually, "What’s going on? Did they call?" Not an ounce of embarrassnt showed on his face.
I cleared my throat. "I’ll be there soon."
He didn’t seem to hear properly and stepped closer, spatula still in hand. "What?"
"You go out first," I said, exhaling slowly. "I’ll co eat soon."
On the phone, Alia finally broke the silence, her voice suspiciously cheerful. "We’ll head back soon, Aria. Since Alpha Rowland himself is cooking, you should go." There was laughter buried in her tone.
I looked at Rowland, who nodded once, entirely unapologetic.
"...Alright," I said, letting out a small sigh.
After I ended the call, Rowland pouted openly. "With personally cooking, you should really hurry." The sight was ridiculous enough to make my wolf relax as soft amusent stirred in my chest, dissolving the lingering tension.
"I’ll co help you," I said, following him into the kitchen, only to stop short. The table was already set perfectly, every dish neatly arranged with steam still curling upward, scents rich and warm. at, herbs, grains, everything was balanced and comforting.
Rowland set the spatula aside and untied the apron with one hand, arching a brow at . "Why would I need your help? You just need to eat."
I stared at the spread, then slowly looked him over. Soone like him didn’t need to cook.
My thoughts were interrupted when he suddenly stepped closer. "Oops," he murmured, turning slightly and shaking the knot at the back of his apron.
"I wasn’t careful tying it, it seems a little tight." He glanced at sideways, eyes glinting with unmistakable mischief. "Anyone willing to help?"
I narrowed my eyes as my wolf scoffed internally.
Charr, where did he learn that trick?
Still, I stepped forward. "Let ."
A grin spread across his face, lighting up his usually cool gaze.
"Thank you," he breathed, the word barely more than a whisper brushing my ear like a feather. I ignored the way my senses sharpened and focused on the knot, my fingers working deliberately while he kept sneaking glances at .
I tugged harder on purpose and his face twitched. "Oh?" I said innocently, though my eyes danced with amusent. "Seems really tight. I’ll need to use more force."
"N–no problem," Rowland said through a strained grin. "With Aria helping, no matter how... ah... strong, it’s fine." I pulled again, and his breath hitched.
"Then bear with it," I said, covering my smile as my hands worked at his waist while Rowland clenched his teeth, stubbornly swallowing any sound that threatened to escape.
"What’s wrong?" I tilted my head, deliberately softening my voice with mischief flickering in my eyes. "Are you uncomfortable?"
Rowland only had to turn his head slightly to et my gaze, his eyes were bright, carrying that foxlike gleam that always made my wolf wary. He smiled, though his expression twisted faintly with a tight jaw.
"How could I be?" he said lightly. "It’s quite pleasant.."
The teasing lilt in his voice sent a warning ripple through my wolf, yet watching the way his eyes sparkled, I montarily lost focus and my hands loosened without realizing.
"Aria," Rowland grinned wider, mockery dancing in his eyes, "that’s too gentle. It’s uncomfortable."
I snapped back to myself. My jaw tightened, and I imdiately increased the pressure, causing Rowland’s face to twitch as the muscles along his waist went rigid.
"Yes—yes," he exclaid exaggeratedly, "that’s it. That pressure feels good."
Before I could respond, footsteps entered the kitchen, and Kara froze.
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