Aria’s POV
I was at ho when my phone vibrated in my hand, and the na on the screen made my wolf lift her head, ears flattening.
It was Margaret.
I answered, “Aria,” her voice flowed through the line, syrup-sweet. “I was just too emotional the other day. Don’t hold it against . Now that you’re back with the Darvin family, why don’t you stay with us instead of living outside?”
My expression didn’t change. My wolf gave a low, unimpressed huff in my chest.
“I want to make it up to you,” she continued, layering warmth into every word. “Sophia was so excited when she heard you agreed to co back that she rushed her discharge. I even cooked to celebrate our family reunion.”
Cooked. The word should’ve ant comfort.
Instead, mories surfaced, mories from when I was still very young. mories of cold plates, closed doors, I always used to eat alone while they all ate together like a family.
Silence stretched.
“Aria?” she called again, and I caught it, the crack in her tone. She was becoming a little impatient.
“My dear,” she tried again, her tone softer. “You’re out there alone. I neglected you when you were little, and we’ve been estranged for years. I haven’t even had the chance to really see you. Could you give a chance to make ands?”
Across from , Chloe was watching my screen like it might bite. She mouthed dramatically, A chance to make ands? Oh please, her face twisted in exaggerated disbelief.
Alia didn’t speak, but she shook her head slightly, her lips forming two silent words.
Don’t go. My wolf felt their loyalty like warmth at my back. And for a mont... I almost said no.
But I smiled at them instead, a small, calm, reassuring smile.
“Okay,” I said into the phone.
Chloe froze and Alia blinked.
On the other end, Margaret went quiet, I could tell she was clearly stunned. She didn’t think I would agree so quickly.
Then I heard movent, fabric shifting, Patrick’s heavier breathing. He definitely must have put her up to this, there was no surprise there.
“Great! Co ho tonight, Aria. I’ll be waiting,” Margaret rushed out, as if I might change my mind if she paused too long.
“Got it,” I said, and ended the call.
The line went dead.
Chloe stared at like I’d just volunteered to walk into a hunter’s trap. “Aria—”
“I know,” I said quietly. Of course I knew, my wolf did too, but she wasn’t scared, she was alert.
Going back to Darvin Villa wasn’t a hocoming, it was a den of old ghosts, and I was walking back in with my eyes open this ti.
Because prey runs, but wolves return to enemy territory with purpose.
Chloe’s outrage was so loud my wolf actually perked up like she’d heard a challenge call. I couldn’t help it, I laughed under my breath.
“What?” I asked, leaning back against the couch.
Chloe threw her hands up. “Why did you agree? You know they don’t have good intentions, right?”
Her scent was sharp and protective. Pack-defense mode.
Alia nodded, frowning. “Even if going to the Darvin family isn’t physically dangerous, they’re clearly trying to win you over. After how Margaret treated you? This sudden ‘mother-daughter love’ reeks of Patrick.”
My wolf huffed in agreent. I already knew that. Leeches, that was a good word for them.
I tilted my head, a slow smile tugging at my lips. “There’s a saying,” I murmured, “the higher the expectations... the greater the disappointnt.”
I gave them a small wink.
Chloe froze, then she sat up straight so fast the air shifted. “Ohhh. You’re going to ss with them.”
I lifted a brow, neither confirming nor denying.
“Patrick suddenly acting all reconciled with Margaret? Please,” I said lightly, though my wolf’s eyes were cold. “It’s about the Osborne family. He’s planning for himself and Clarence. But I’m not going to let him get everything he wants.”
My fingers tapped against my arm, my claws threatening to surface.
“The higher he dreams,” I said quietly, “the harder he’ll fall.”
Both of them actually shivered.
Chloe grinned. “I’m in.”
Alia didn’t smile. Her eyes softened with worry. She knew too well. Revenge could rot a wolf from the inside if you weren’t careful.
“If you really want to,” she said slowly, “go ahead. They hurt you. Whatever cos... they chose it.”
I reached over and covered her hand with mine.
“Thank you,” I said softly. “Don’t worry, everything will be fine.” My wolf wasn’t spiraling.
“ARIA!”
“Aria!”
Two voices exploded from upstairs at the sa ti, followed by stomping that made the house vibrate.
My wolf’s head snapped up. I was on my feet instantly.
Rowland and Logan ca down the stairs in a tangled ss of limbs and pride, neither backing down an inch.
“What are you two doing?” I demanded, my gaze locking on Rowland first. “You just got out of the hospital. Didn’t I tell you to rest?”
The mont he heard my voice, Rowland’s whole deanor shifted. He slipped behind like I was a shield, which annoyingly, I was.
“Why didn’t you tell you had a guest?” he complained, pointing at Logan. “Why’s he still here?”
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