Aria’s POV
Kara walked into the room, In her arms, little Lana wiggled. She lifted her chubby hand, trying to sit up and see us all. Kara adjusted her, and Lana’s big eyes blinked around the room.
My chest tightened.
I watched her soft face. Alia’s words echoed in my mind.
I couldn’t forgive Nathan.
Not for letting Sophia drag my na through the mud, not for letting them throw into a cell for a whole year without even investigating, not for the way my wolf had howled alone in the dark in pain.
Every mory made want to run far away from Nathan.
But...
My gaze returned to Lana. Was it fair to her?
Nathan was her biological father. Her wolf would one day ask questions. She’d barely scented him since birth. I hadn’t even given him a chance to try being a father.
Was I protecting her... or stealing sothing from her?
“Have you lost your mind?” Chloe’s voice cut through my thoughts like a snapped branch.
Alia frowned. “What?”
Chloe jabbed a finger at her forehead. “Lana is Aria’s pup. Whoever Aria recognizes as her father is her father. And even if she doesn’t have one, so what? She’s got two godmothers. That’s better than a useless Alpha who only brings pain.”
Her scent bristled with pure hostility at the ntion of Nathan. Honestly, she looked more offended than I did.
The tension cracked.
Alia blinked, then nodded. “You’re right. I was being narrow-minded.” She turned to , serious now. “Only soone you accept deserves that role.”
Rowland had been quiet, but I felt his gaze. It had drifted from us to Lana. His scent spiked with hope.
He cleared his throat. “I think—”
I slapped my hand over his mouth.
“You should go inside one of the guest rooms and rest,” I said sweetly, though my tone carried finality.
His eyes went wide. One look at my raised brow and he folded instantly. “I won’t say anything...”
“Your wolf needs rest, Rowland.” I said in a tone that gave no room for argunt.
I nodded to Kara. “Take him to a room. I’ll hold Lana.”
She passed my pup into my arms. The mont Lana settled against , her scent wrapped around my senses, warm and pure.
My wolf softened instantly. Lana blinked up at , her tiny fingers curling in my shirt.
Kara gestured politely. “Alpha Rowland, this way.”
Under my watch, Rowland obeyed and followed her.
Nathan’s POV
I was in my office at the top floor of Hemsworth Group.
The glass wall in front of reflected the city.
I held my phone to my ear, my gaze sharp. “Yes. I suggest Garfield Group expand into Asterfell.”
There was a pause on the other end.
“Expand into Asterfell?” Eleanor, my sister repeated.
Of course she was surprised.
When our father died, our pack circles had closed in, offering support that slled like pity. I’d rejected all of it and built the Hemsworth Group from the ground up. I fought hard for every deal I closed and over the years, I carved out an empire, becoming the sole business titan in Asterfell.
“Nathan,” Alpha Jasper, Rowland’s father, ca on the line, his voice cautious but eager. “Do you have sothing in mind?”
I watched my reflection in the glass. Calm. Controlled. Alpha.
“I have a project that can help Garfield Group establish a foothold here.”
That part was true. Just not the reason.
“That would be a huge breakthrough for Garfield Group,” Jasper said quickly. “What are you thinking?”
I let the silence stretch, just enough to remind him who held the advantage.
“I’ll have the lawyers handle the details and share them with you. But there’s one condition.”
“Go ahead.”
“I want Rowland to lead the project.”
There was silence
“Nathan...” Eleanor’s voice turned careful. “Did Rowland cause trouble in Asterfell?”
He did but I was not about to tell them. I couldn’t bring myself to tell my sister that her son has his eyes on my ex wife and is always around her. I needed him to beco too occupied to spend ti with her.
“You can refuse,” I said flatly.
Jasper cleared his throat. “Is this project urgent?”
“Very. He needs to return to Veridale imdiately to coordinate it.”
That was a lie. A smooth and easy. I’d lied better than this to courts, councils, and rival Alphas.
But Jasper hesitated. “Nathan... we’ve agreed to your previous requests. But this ti, it’s not possible.”
My wolf stilled.
“What do you an by that?, how is it not possible?”
“Rowland’s trip to Asterfell wasn’t entirely his choice,” Eleanor explained. “It’s part of a collaboration with the Osborne family. Specifically requested by Jeremiah and Vivian.”
My brows drew together. “The Osborne elders?”
“Yes, they asked for Rowland to accompany them personally.”
Damn it. If the elders wanted him, he wasn’t moving until they were satisfied.
“Understood,” I said, and ended the call.
I lowered the phone slowly. The office felt too small. I rubbed my temples, but it didn’t help. My wolf paced restlessly under my skin, claws scraping at bone.
And then, like a curse, the images ca.
Images of Aria.
The way her eyes narrowed when she was annoyed. The way she looked at Rowland without the walls she used on . The mory of him leaning close to her, speaking near her neck...
My fist slamd into the glass with brute strength, causing it to fracture.
Jealousy consud .
Because of my own mistakes, She had refused to co back to . So instead, I sched. Tried to pull Rowland away, send him on tasks, using business as an excuse.
Because I believe with him out of the picture, I might still have a chance to win her back.
I wanted a look from her that didn’t carry coldness. The sa look Rowland got from her without even trying.
I wanted her attention, concern and her touch.
I wanted that gentle version of Aria... the one who used to look at like I was the only person that mattered in her world.
I am willing to pay any price, to do whatever it takes to win her back.
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