Aria’s POV
He told everything without hiding any. They had mostly talked about business and establishing connections, just anything at all to keep conversations alive.
The car humd forward again. His gaze lingered on , thoughtful, like I was a puzzle he couldn’t solve.
“So,” he asked, shifting topics, “did you find what you were looking for?”
I looked down at my phone. “Yeah. I have sent it to Chloe.”
I checked my cellphone. Chloe had already responded with “Received”
Only then did the tight coil in my chest loosen.
Rowland noticed. Of course he did. He suddenly clutched his chest dramatically. “I barely survived today. So many people. And Sophia...talking to her makes my heart beat weird.”
He peeked at from the corner of his eye. I didn’t look at him. I knew exactly what he was doing.
The dramatic sigh, the hand on his chest, the poor , overworked Alpha act.
I kept my face straight, tapping my chin as if in deep thought. “You must be exhausted. You should go ho and rest.”
Rowland’s shoulders dropped like I’d personally insulted the Moon Goddess.
“You’re so unromantic,” he muttered, peeking at .
I turned my head slowly and gave him one cool look.
He retreated instantly. “I an—can’t you at least treat to dinner for all my hard work?”
My lips finally curved, just a little. “Alright. After things calm down.”
That was enough. His mood lifted imdiately, like a wolf pup promised a treat.
“So where is our destination? Ho or office?”, he asked.
“Take to the office.” I leaned into the seat in a relaxing manner.
The mont we pulled up at the office, I slled him before I saw him.
Jackson stood near the entrance, tall in that awkward, half-grown way teenage wolves had; all limbs and uncertain strength. His scent spiked with anxiety and hope as he rushed toward .
“Aria! Chloe said you might have leads about my parents. Is it true?”
His scent trembled, trying to be brave.
I softened. “We have possible leads. Chloe and Alia need to analyze more.”
Relief flooded him so fast it made my chest ache. He almost reached for instinctively in gratitude, but stopped when he noticed Rowland beside .
“Thank you,” he said earnestly.
“Focus on your studies,” I told him gently.
He left lighter than he’d arrived. Rowland watched him go, then his expression darkened. “At Clarence’s funeral, when Tyler accused you... did he ever think his son might need you one day?”
His voice had steel in it.
I t his gaze. I knew that look. The one that ant I don’t forgive easily.
“I’m not kind enough to repay evil with kindness,” I said calmly. “Maybe it’s because of Lana. Children aren’t responsible for their parents’ sins.”
My mind drifted to my daughter...her scent, how warm and sweet it was, the way her tiny fingers curled around mine.
Everything I did now had a future attached to it. Then my eyes cooled.
“And sotis,” I added, “you lift soone high... so the fall breaks more bones.”
Patrick thought he was safe, protected and untouchable. He had no idea the wolf he underestimated was already circling.
Rowland studied , surprised but not afraid.
“You didn’t expect to be different from the gentle person I look like?” I teased lightly.
He shook his head without hesitation. Then his hand landed on my head. It was warm, steady and claiming in the quietest way.
“You’re amazing,” he said. “Otherwise I’d worry about you getting hurt when I’m not there.”
My heart kicked hard once, what a traitor it was.
His eyes weren’t like Nathan’s cold depths.
Rowland’s were dark, yes, but alive.
“I’ll go see Chloe and Alia,” I said quickly, turning away before the mont stretched too long.
I moved too fast, almost stumbling. My pulse refused to calm.
Behind , he didn’t follow. I was glad, because if he had, he would’ve heard my heartbeat.
When I went upstairs, I opened the door and saw two grinning faces. Alia and Chloe.
Chloe leaned back in her chair dramatically. “Where’s Rowland?”
Alia smirked beside her.
My expression darkened, and I didn’t even bother pretending not to notice their looks. Of course they’d seen everything downstairs. They must have looked down the window.
I walked in.
“Alright,” I sighed, rubbing my temples, more to hide my embarrassnt than soothe the faint pulse building there. My wolf shifted under my skin, restless, aware I’d been... affected. “How’s the map analysis going?”
The teasing glint in Chloe’s eyes faded, and Alia gave a short nod. “Co with .”
I went into the office with them. A printed map lay spread across the table, enlarged. I stepped closer, my eyes automatically adjusting, taking in distance, exits, blind spots.
I hadn’t had the chance to really study this at the Darvin estate. That place had reeked of tension, lies, and old grief.
“Based on data from our drones and observations,” Alia said, her finger tapping a corner, “the factory covers about ten thousand square ters.”
“Ten thousand...” I repeated under my breath.
That was territory size. Pack-land size. Far too large for a second-tier company like the Darvin Group. My wolf bristled. Patrick wasn’t just hiding sothing, he was nesting.
How had he concealed this from the council, from rival packs, from corporate surveillance?
“Yes,” Chloe added, her voice heavy. “Finding two people in there without alerting anyone is close to impossible.”
Alia’s finger began tracing lines across the map. “If it’s that difficult, we need precision. From Aria’s map, the factory is divided into four zones: work areas, employee rest zones, shipping, and managent.”
I nodded slowly, following along.
“If Tyler and his wife are being hidden there, and the workers don’t know they exist... where would they be?” Alia asked.
“We will rule out work and shipping, they won’t be there” Chloe said, thinking aloud. “Also employee rest. That leaves managent.”
Alia nodded. “Most likely. If Patrick is the real owner, only managent would have direct contact. Any unusual arrangents would pass through them.”
Chloe turned to . “What do you think, Aria?”
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