Nathan’s POV
My attention drifted without permission.
No matter how many tis I told myself not to look, my gaze always found Lana.
She was mine. That much was very obvious to anyone who cared to look. The curve of her nose, the shape of her mouth, even the way her eyes tilted when she smiled—Aria lived in her face, and so did I.
Regret burned sharper than any silver in my chest.
I had doubted Aria once. Doubted us. I had convinced myself Lana might belong to another man, because it was easier than admitting how badly I’d failed as a mate. Now here she was, right in front of , my little angel, breathing and laughing softly.
My chest tightened, and I exhaled slowly, forcing myself not to react. Still, my hand betrayed . The stem of my wine glass tipped, clinking sharply as it spilled against the table.
The sound cut through the room.
Aria looked up from her tea.
For a heartbeat, our eyes t—and she saw then, as unsettled and exposed as I was.
Her breath hitched. I saw it.
“Grandma Jennifer,” she said calmly, too calmly, as she rose. “If you’re ready to eat, let hold the child.”
She held out her arms.
Lana lit up instantly, chirring with excitent. She giggled and leaned toward Aria without hesitation, reaching for her mother as if the rest of the room didn’t exist.
Jennifer noticed everything. Her gaze flicked to , then back to Aria.
“Well,” she said with a laugh, “since Lana wants her mom, I won’t be the bad grandma.”
She passed Lana over.
The mont Aria took her, relief washed over her scent. She clutched Lana close in a protective manner. A mother wolf guarding her pup.
And I knew exactly what she was afraid of.
.
She had seen my look, the longing, the regret. Maybe she feared I would try to take Lana away, drag her into a battle she had already fought alone.
The truth clawed at : without that child, Aria wouldn’t be standing here today. She had told that herself. Prison would have broken her completely. Lana had been her anchor and her reason to survive.
And it was obvious she would never give her up.
Aria’s POV
With Lana in my arms, I settled into my seat. Platters of food stretched across the polished wood, rich aromas curling through the air. My wolf stirred at the scent...fresh fish, slow-roasted ats, herbs ant to strengthen the body. Pack food. The kind prepared to nourish, not just impress.
“Please, help yourselves,” Jennifer said kindly, guiding a serving of fish toward . “Aria, you’ve endured a great deal since Lana was born. Healing takes ti. This fish is especially very good for recovery.”
Her words weren’t empty courtesy. She ant them. I could hear it in her tone, feel it in the way her gaze lingered on Lana and . That gesture was a bit too late, It has been several months, almost a year since I had Lana.
I smiled and took a bite, praising the chef as expected. The fish was tender, infused with herbs that soothed even my wolf. Slowly, the earlier tension bled out of the room. Even Gina who usually filled every silence with sharp edges, kept her head down, focused on her plate.
I ate sparingly, then fed Lana a few careful spoonfuls of porridge. She accepted them happily. When she’d had enough, I set my spoon down, preparing to stand—
“Aria,” Jennifer said gently before I could move. “Why don’t you take a stroll with Lana and ? I’d love more ti with her.”
My instinct was to refuse, but her offer was sincere.
“...Alright,” I said after a pause. “A walk sounds lovely.”
Jonathan shifted beside . I felt it imdiately, his awareness sharpening. He glanced at Nathan, then back at , hesitation flickering across his face.
“Why don’t I join you?” he offered, standing. “I can hold Lana if you’d like.”
Jennifer’s posture stiffened almost imperceptibly.
Her instincts flared. I saw it in her eyes, the calculation, the sudden urgency. Jonathan’s attention toward unsettled her. She turned her gaze to Nathan.
He was already staring at Jonathan, his scent spiking with jealousy and contempt.
“I actually have a few design questions for you, Mr. Anderson,” Nathan said abruptly, rising to his feet. His eyes locked onto Jonathan’s like a challenge thrown across the table.
The air felt like the mont before claws unsheathe.
My wolf stirred.
Nathan stood across the table, his posture deceptively relaxed, but I could hear the change in his heartbeat. His eyes were fixed on Jonathan.
“It is regarding the collaboration between Hemsworth Group and Celestyr Brand, Mr. Anderson, I assu you wouldn’t decline,” Nathan said calmly.
Jonathan’s eyes flickered just a fraction. But to , it was obvious. His pulse skipped and his scent sharpened with alertness.
“Ah, Mr. Nathan,” Jonathan replied with a faint smile. “Are you also inviting for a stroll in Crescent Manor?”
My wolf bristled, waiting for Nathan’s response.
“To my grandmother’s study, please,” Nathan gestured with his long fingers.
Jonathan followed the direction of his hand and nodded in agreent—but not submission.
I watched them, unease tightening in my chest. Two dominant males, circling without moving. Even without fangs bared, it felt like a confrontation.
Jonathan caught my gaze and gave the smallest shake of his head as if telling not to worry.
Easy for him to say.
I rose and followed Jennifer out of the villa, though every instinct scread at to stay close. Protect. Guard. Claim my ground.
Gina was left at the table, stabbing at her fish like it had personally offended her. The tallic scrape of her fork grated against my heightened hearing.
Outside, the scent of flowers wrapped around us as Jennifer and I walked along the stone path. Roses, jasmine, wet soil. It should have been calming.
It wasn’t.
“If you’re here to persuade to reconcile with Nathan,” I said before she could speak, “save your breath.”
Jennifer stopped and chuckled softly. “You’re a clever girl, Aria.”
Clever. If only she knew how much sharper my senses truly were.
She looked at Lana in my arms and sighed. “Aria, love is a mysterious thing. Sotis it takes ti to realize its value. Are you truly unwilling to give it another try? Nathan’s feelings for you are genuine. I’ve never seen him like this.”
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