Aria’s POV
Kara’s eyes flicked from Rowland to . Then she finally spoke.
“Sis... uh... you guys—”I caught the sharp hitch in her breath, her scent flaring with embarrassnt. She turned around instantly, her hands covering her face.
“I shouldn’t watch, I shouldn’t watch,” she muttered, retreating like she’d stumbled into a mating ritual.
As she fled, she called back, “I know you youngsters have energy, but if you don’t eat soon, the food will get cold!”
The mont she disappeared, my face darkened.
Rowland, on the other hand, burst into laughter, real laughter. It was low and warm, vibrating in his chest. He didn’t stop until the knot finally ca loose. When he saw my expression, his laughter only grew louder.
Enough.
“Snip—”
I grabbed a pair of scissors from the wall and cut cleanly through the apron strings.
The sound was crisp and final.
I lifted the scissors, the tal glinting coldly under the kitchen lights. My smile curved, slow and dangerous.
“Next ti,” I said sweetly, “if you’re foolish enough to tie a knot like that, it won’t be apron strings I cut.”
The chill in my tone made the air dip several degrees.
Rowland visibly shivered. “There won’t be a next ti,” he said quickly.
“Hmph.” I put the scissors away. “Let’s eat.”
He dramatically patted his chest and exhaled, clearly overacting. My footsteps halted instantly.
I shot him a sharp look.
Rowland straightened at once and followed obediently.
As we sat down, Kara rushed over to pull out my chair. “Kara,” I said calmly, “let Lana rest in the cradle for a bit. Co eat.”
She nodded and joined us shortly after.
Rowland, noticeably subdued now, eagerly served food. “Try this,” he said earnestly. “I learned it from a five-star chef.”
A piece of fish landed in my bowl. It looked tender and glossy with sauce, its aroma rich enough to make my wolf stir.
I glanced up and caught Kara watching us with open curiosity.
Our eyes t.
She blinked innocently and turned away. “I’ll try this one,”she said, focusing on a different dish.
I took a small bite of the fish despite myself. It was good, annoyingly so.
Rowland imdiately moved to serve more.
“You eat,” I said quickly.
His hand froze mid-air. He looked at with unmistakable grievance before slowly pulling back. “Okay...”
I frowned in confusion and shot him a fierce glare. He sohow looked even more pitiful, his shoulders subtly shrinking.
Kara burst out laughing. “Sis, n these days aren’t great with stuff like this.”
She gestured at Rowland. “Soone like him is rare. As an Alpha, I am sure he has never lifted a finger, yet he cooked all this for you. And instead of praising him, you glare at him for offering food.”
Then she turned to Rowland reassuringly. “Aria’s just like this. Be good to her, don’t mind the coldness she is displaying, she is very warm on the inside. Trust , she appreciates this,” she glanced at with a smile and added, “I’ll talk to her later.”
Rowland nodded vigorously, his eyes shining with gratitude.
I glanced between the both of them. “I appreciate all he does. I’ll treat him better, I guess.”
With that, I picked up my fork and placed a slice of chili into Rowland’s bowl.
“Here,” I said gently. “Eat.”
My smile was sweet, but my eyes were not.
Rowland froze. His scent shifted instantly, filled with alarm. I wondered what the problem was, could he not handle chili?
I tilted my head. “Is Alpha Rowland unwilling to forgive ?” I asked softly. “Or is he refusing what I offer?”
Smiling tightly, Rowland ate the chili with his rice. “Of course not. It’s nothing.”
I watched him closely, nodding in approval.
Monts later, he rubbed his belly, looking a bit distressed. I was about to ask if everything was alright but before I could, he smile.
“Looks like my cooking isn’t bad,” he said hoarsely.
Kara looked satisfied, seeing peace restored.
My thoughts drifted back to the Darvin and Osborne families. The banter lost its appeal. I sampled each dish out of courtesy, not appetite.
Rowland, usually efficient, ate slowly now.
When I finished, I set my bowl down. His cheeks were faintly flushed.
“What’s wrong with you?” I asked.
He looked up at , smiling stiffly. “I’m fine. Just savoring my cooking.”
I studied him carefully. His smile curved just right, there were no obvious cracks.
“Take your ti,” I said.
I stood and glanced at the table. “It was delicious.”
Rowland’s smile widened.
An hour later, twilight stained the sky.
I stepped out of the study to find the dining area spotless.
“Where’s Rowland?” I asked, frowning.
I’d ant to review Collins’s folder thoroughly, but my eyes kept drifting back to the sa spot on the page, my thoughts betraying , replaying Rowland’s foxlike smile.
Kara looked up from mopping. “He left right after you went to the study.”
I paused. “I see.”
Still restless, I turned toward the cradle to check on Lana, my wolf finally settling as I watched her sleep.
Night swallowed the sky early, heavy storm clouds pressing low, like the world itself was holding its breath. The sound of thunder startled Lana.
Her scent filled my senses as I carried her and cradled her against my chest. My wolf purred quietly, soothed by the steady rhythm of her tiny heartbeat. I rocked her gently until her breathing evened out, her lashes resting against chubby cheeks.
Only when she was fully asleep did I lay her in the cradle again.
The mont my arms were empty, the calm shattered.
I began pacing the living room, my bare feet silent against the floor, but inside my wolf was restless. My eyes drifted to the dining table and Rowland’s face from dinner flashed in my mind.
His lips were pale, drained of color. He also wore a tight smile.
At the ti, I thought he was just tired. Now my chest felt tight. Sothing wasn’t right.
I grabbed my phone and texted him.
Are you asleep?
I stared at the screen, my ears straining instinctively for a reply tone that never ca. Ten minutes later, there was still no response.
That wasn’t Rowland. Even while in the shower, he sent teasing voice notes. Even half-dead from work, he replied.
My wolf rose inside , alert.
I called. It rang...Once, twice, three tis.
Finally, soone answered but it wasn’t Rowland.
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