Aria’s POV
The mont I stepped back into the house, my wolf went rigid. The light in Nathan’s study was still on.
It was too bright against the darkened hallway and then I heard it.
A muffled cry. It was Jonathan’s voice.
It wasn’t loud, but to , it might as well have been a howl. My hearing sharpened instantly, my heart slamming against my ribs.
No.
Before I knew it, I was moving. I ran down the corridor.
“Bang—”
The study door flew open so violently it struck the wall. My eyes snapped to the scene.
Nathan had Jonathan pinned against the wall, his hand locked around his neck.
My vision tunneled red.
“What are you doing?!” I shouted.
The wolf inside surged forward, protective and furious.
I rushed toward them and struck Nathan’s arm with all the force I could muster. His grip loosened just enough for to yank Jonathan free and pull him behind .
Nathan froze.
“Aria...” he said, my na heavy on his tongue.
“Shut up!” I snapped.
I didn’t even look at him.
All I could see were the red marks along Jonathan’s neck. My stomach dropped.
Jonathan ca here because of . If he had been seriously hurt, I would never forgive myself.
“Are you okay?” I asked, my fingers brushing gently against the bruised skin. I kept my touch light and careful. I could feel the warmth of inflammation already spreading beneath his skin.
The scent of crushed plaster and male fury still lingered in the room.
Jonathan shook his head faintly. His lashes lowered, his voice softer than usual. “Aria... I did say sothing that upset Nathan.”
His heartbeat was still uneven. My wolf growled low in my chest.
“Even if you did,” I said sharply, anger flaring, “he had no right to lay a hand on you!”
Behind , I felt Nathan sway slightly.
“Aria, this isn’t fair. He was the one who—”
I turned then and I didn’t soften.
“Alpha Nathan, there’s no fairness here,” I cut in coldly, addressing him formally. “Do you think violence makes you justified? I invited Jonathan here. It was Gina’s constant provocations that forced to involve him in the first place. And now that he’s your guest, this is how you treat him?”
My eyes burned. I didn’t bother hiding it.
Nathan stared at as though I had struck him instead. He opened his mouth to explain, but no words ca out.
His scent shifted, not with rage this ti but sothing wounded. For a brief, traitorous mont, my wolf hesitated.
But then I looked at Jonathan’s neck again. The red imprint of fingers and my heart hardened back into steel.
Footsteps approached.
Jennifer entered the study, her breath slightly uneven. Her sharp eyes took in the scene instantly, the cracked wall, Nathan’s clenched fists, Jonathan’s bruised throat, the way I stood in front of him like a guard wolf shielding her pack.
She sighed quietly.
“Aria, calm down. I see Mr. Anderson just has a red mark that his wolf will heal soon, no serious injuries. Let call the family doctor. Sit him down first.”
Her voice was gentle and controlled.
Nathan’s POV
I stood there, my fists still clenched, I hadn’t even fully shifted. I hadn’t broken his throat. I hadn’t lost control.
And yet Aria looked at as if I had.
Lana squird in Grandmother’s arms, tiny whimpers rising into the heavy air. I could sll her distress. My daughter sensed the tension.
Aria swallowed her fury and helped Jonathan to the couch. She moved carefully, protectively, her body angled between him and as though I were still a threat.
The doctor arrived quickly. I stood in the shadows while he examined Jonathan’s neck.
“It is surface abrasion,” the doctor concluded. “Likely sensitive skin. No structural damage.”
Of course there wasn’t. I know exactly how much strength it takes to crush a windpipe. And I hadn’t used it.
Aria relaxed slightly at the verdict, but her face remained cold, tense and unreachable.
The distance between us felt wider than the Atlantic.
Then Lana began to cry.
“Mommy!”
The word pierced through like silver. She reached for Aria, rejecting Grandmother’s arms. Aria’s expression softened instantly. She gathered Lana to her chest, and almost magically, the crying stopped.
The scent of comfort filled the room. My chest tightened.
Grandmother watched them with visible affection, pride and wonder.
I watched too, but I felt like an outsider in my own bloodline.
Grandmother turned to Aria, her tone even softer. “Aria, it seems Mr. Anderson is fine. This was indeed Nathan’s fault. I apologize on his behalf.”
Fault.
The word scraped against my ribs.
Aria didn’t look at . She held Lana close, patting her back gently.
“I still expect Alpha Nathan to provide an apology to my friend for his unruly behavior,” she said flatly.
Alpha Nathan...Not Nathan.
When she finally looked at , it felt like sothing inside my chest cracked. Her eyes were indifferent.
Mine must have looked wrecked.
“Don’t you want to know what happened?” I asked, my voice tighter than I intended. “What he said that made act?”
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