Aria’s POV
My wolf shifted beneath my skin at her words.
Of course I knew his feelings were real. I had felt them in the way his scent changed around . In the way his heartbeat deepened.
But love was not the sa as safety.
“I’m doing well now,” I said evenly. “I don’t want to look back. What’s in the past should stay there.”
Jennifer pressed on. “And what about Lana? Do you really want her to grow up without a father figure? Even for her sake?”
She was betting on my heart, but she didn’t understand. In as much as there was a ti when I loved Nathan with all I had, things have changed, I was not that girl anymore.
I looked down at Lana. Her cheeks were rosy, her tiny fingers gripping the edge of my shawl. She cooed softly, unaware of the weight of adult expectations placed upon her small shoulders.
“As long as I am here,” I said quietly, “Lana will have a complete and happy ho. A father’s identity is not essential.”
Because what she truly needed was strength, protection and a mother who would bare her throat to no one.
Jennifer studied Lana, and I could see the conflict in her eyes.
“What about when she starts school?” Jennifer asked gently. “Without a father, how much criticism will she face?”
Criticism? My lips curved faintly.
“When Lana is old enough, I’ll teach her myself,” I replied. “As long as she has her mom, she won’t lack love. And if anyone dares to mock her...”
My wolf rose fully then, brushing against my skin.
“I won’t let her endure it quietly.”
What I ant was simple.
If anyone hard my cub, they would answer to .
Jennifer stared at as though seeing for the first ti. People often mistake gentleness for weakness.
“If there’s nothing else,” I said with a slight bow, “I’ll be leaving now.”
“How about you stay for the night?” Jennifer asked suddenly. “I won’t be in Asterfell for long. Since you won’t reconcile with Nathan, who knows when I’ll see my great-granddaughter again? Just one more night. For my sake.”
For a mont, her regal mask slipped. Beneath the jewels and silk, she looked... lonely.
My wolf quieted. I hesitated.
Spending the night here ant being close enough to Nathan.
That was dangerous.
“Who knows how many years this old woman has left?” she added dramatically, clutching her chest. “I just want to spend a little more ti with Lana. Is that too much?”
Even I could hear the exaggeration in her heartbeat.
Still... she was an elder and Lana deserved to spend ti with and know her bloodline, even if I refused to return to it.
“Alright,” I said finally. “But only for one night. We leave at first light.”
At dawn.
Jennifer bead, patting my hand. “I knew you cared for this old lady!”
Lana giggled and reached for her fingers, wrapping one of them in her tiny ones in delight.
I smiled outwardly, composed and calm.
Nathan’s POV
The mont the study door closed behind us, the air shifted.
There was no more polite smiles, no more crystal glasses and silver cutlery. Just two predators in confined territory.
Jonathan stood across from like a general facing an enemy commander. He was calm and controlled.
“What do you want, Nathan?” he asked smoothly. “Last I checked, there was no plans of Celestyr brand collaborating with Hemsworth Group.”
His tone was asured, but there was a blade hidden in it.
He was right about that. I had only ntioned collaboration because that was the first thing that ca to mind. I tapped my pen against the desk once. Twice. The sound echoed sharply in the room. Then I leaned back on the sofa, feigning indifference.
“Intentional, was it?” I asked lightly.
My wolf shifted under my skin.
He chuckled in a calm and composed manner. “Intentional? I’m afraid I don’t understand.”
I hated that composure.
Hated the way he carried himself as though he had nothing to hide. As though he hadn’t inserted himself into my territory.
“You think I don’t know your intentions with Aria?” I said, my voice dropping, low, rough and dangerous.
His pulse spiked.
He took a small step back. “What intentions? You have absolutely no right to ask that question.”
My wolf snarled inside .
I stood slowly, the floorboards groaning beneath my weight. “Really?” I stepped closer. “I have every right Jonathan, she is my mate...”
“Was your mate”, he cut in imdiately. “She stopped being your mate after you signed the divorce papers and severed your bond.”
“I plan on winning her back. I plan on making her mine again! So stay away. And stop hovering around my child!” I growled.
“You don’t tell what to do Nathan. Aria is my friend,” Jonathan replied. His smile thinned. “Helping her with her child is only natural.”
Natural?
I slamd the pen down on the desk. It cracked in half beneath my grip.
“You’re treating my child as if she were your own.”
The words tore out of before I could temper them. My wolf pressed forward, claws itching to surface.
Jonathan’s hand twitched at his side. His composure was slipping now.
“Nathan,” he said coldly, “I am not interested in picking a fight with you today.”
My lips curled.
“Stay away from Aria,” I growled. “She won’t fall for a nanny’s attentiveness.”
His eyes flashed then, there was no longer politeness or detachnt in them. They burned with mild rage.
“A failure like you,” he said quietly, “doesn’t even belong in the sa league as her.”
Failure. The word hit like silver against skin.
In an instant I moved.
I grabbed his collar and slamd him against the wall. The plaster cracked slightly under the force. His breath left him in a sharp exhale.
My control frayed.
My eyes burned. I knew they were shifting, gold bleeding into them, my wolf pushing forward.
“Say that again,” I snarled.
He struggled against my grip, but I was stronger.
Even pinned, he smiled.
Infuriating.
“You are a failure,” he repeated, his breath strained. “What right do you have to keep away from her?”
What right?
The question echoed in my skull.
What right did I have?
“You’re deluded,” I growled, pressing him harder into the wall, “if you think I’ll let you near them.”
My claws broke through skin wrapping around his neck. I lifted him off the floor. I wanted nothing more than to strangle him to death. The study darkened, mirroring the storm inside .
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