Nathan’s POV
There was a brief pause. I had to glance at my screen to make sure my grandma had not ended the call.
“I heard you divorced Aria. You are in no position to make any requests of ” she said, her tone sad.
My wolf flattened its ears at her tone.
A sigh ca through the line. “Maybe I was wrong to force you. Now Aria is free, there is no need for Aria to suffer at your hands anymore.”
My chest tightened.
“Grandma! I didn’t call about that. I don’t want to let her go.”
There was silence.
Then her sharp voice reached , “You still want to retaliate against her?!”
I rubbed my forehead. “No... I want to win her back.”
There was dead silence.
I checked the screen just to make sure the call was still connected.
“Grandma?”
“Did you take the wrong dicine?” she finally said.
“I’m serious,” I said quietly. “I regret treating her the way I did. I want her back. Please help , I need to win her back.”
I ant every word. For the first ti in my adult life, I wasn’t afraid to show my grandma my vulnerable side.
“Weren’t you the one who rejected her? You only married her because I forced you. What changed?”
I bit my lip. I could taste blood.
“I was wrong,” I said. “I was very wrong grandma. I hate that I treated her badly.”
mories rose like ghosts. mories of Aria waiting up late for on days I didn’t co ho early. mories of Aria smiling even when I was cold. mories of her looking at like I was her entire world.
And ... turning away every damn ti.
“Now I understand,” I whispered. “I’ve fallen in love with her.”
My wolf didn’t deny it. It had known long before I did.
Her scent had always cald . Her presence had always pulled my eyes to her. Even when I resisted, a part of felt... relieved knowing she was mine.
I hadn’t really hated her. I had been afraid, afraid of losing control, afraid of needing soone, afraid of a bond I didn’t choose.
So I punished her for it.
“Love?” Grandma said slowly. “Nathan...do you even know what love is?”
I gripped the phone tighter.
Love...It wasn’t possession. Not Alpha authority. Not a mating contract.
Love was—
Missing her scent in my territory.
Feeling my wolf ache when she cried.
Seeing other males near her and wanting to tear the world apart.
Wishing I could go back and shield her with my body from the pain I caused.
Love... was regret that felt like claws in my chest.
“I don’t fully understand it,” I admitted hoarsely. “But I know one thing.”
My voice dropped.
“If I lose her completely... my wolf will never be at peace again.”
Aria’s POV
Chloe and I had just stepped out of the car in front of the Hemsworth Group building when a familiar scent hit .
I turned and imdiately spotted Logan.
He was wandering out of the building like a lost pup who’d strayed into Alpha territory and didn’t realize the danger.
Chloe’s eyes widened. She marched over and chopped him lightly on his right arm.
“You actually ca here?!”
I frowned. “Why are you here?” I asked.
Logan winced, rubbing his shoulder, but the mont his eyes landed on , the discomfort vanished like it had never existed.
“Aria!” He reached for my hand. My wolf instantly bristled.
Chloe grabbed him and yanked him back before he could touch . Good.
I crossed my arms. “Answer the question first.”
“Well...” His gaze stayed on , warm and open. “I wanted to know more about your past. I know you don’t like talking about him.”
Him. My wolf’s ears flattened.
He obviously ant Nathan.
“My past?” I echoed.
Logan nodded. “Your childhood, your high school days, your ti with him. I want to know everything. I wasn’t there before... but I’ll make up for it.”
Make up for it? A strange heaviness settled in my chest.
I rubbed my temples and glanced at Chloe.
Who told you to remind him he didn’t know much about my past? my eyes asked.
Chloe suddenly found the pavent very interesting. She averted her gaze from .
“Those things have nothing to do with you,” I said calmly. “You don’t need to concern yourself with them.”
But Logan shook his head stubbornly. “No. Chloe was right to remind . I can’t change the past, but I should know it.”
I sighed internally, not surprised at his stubbornness.
Chloe avoided my gaze again.
“Fine,” I said at last. “I won’t stop you. Alia and Chloe know everything. You can ask them. Whether they tell you is up to them.”
Then my expression hardened.
“But don’t go looking for Nathan because of . We’re divorced. I don’t want more entanglents.”
The mont those words left , my wolf stirred.
Because even saying his na still pulled sothing tight inside my chest.
Logan’s face lit up like I’d just granted him a title.
He nodded eagerly at Chloe. She glared back at him. He only smiled wider, shaless.
I watched them and felt a familiar helplessness.
“Alright,” I cut in. “We’re leaving.”
Logan headed towards our car, as he walked off, Chloe suddenly kicked him in the rear. He yelped.
I almost smiled.
For a mont, the heaviness inside eased, just a little.
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