Nathan’s POV
"There’s still the dispute over her grandmother, Kate’s inheritance," I said, pushing the words out before my thoughts pulled under again.
"It was ant for Aria. If she won’t take my money, then put pressure on the Darvin family. Make sure she gets sothing from them."
Collins blinked, stunned. "Alpha Nathan... you an—"
"Kate’s estate is worth billions," I said, rubbing at the tension building in my temple. My voice was steady, even though sothing inside felt anything but that. "It shouldn’t be hard for them to give Aria living expenses. Or do they think they can just swallow all the fund profits for themselves?"
Understanding dawned on Collins’s face. He nodded quickly. "I’ll handle it right away."
"Good," I muttered.
He slipped out of the office, and the door clicked shut behind him. It was a soft sound, but it echoed like a punch in my chest.
The quiet swallowed whole.
Files were piled on my desk. Reports, contracts, proposals. Normally, I could devour them with a clear mind. But today, the letters blurred. My wolf paced inside , restless and agitated.
I shoved my chair back and stood, exhaling a breath I didn’t realize I’d been holding. The air felt too thin and too tight.
I paced toward the floor-to-ceiling window.
The city stretched far below, glittering like scattered glass under the sun. But all I could see was her.
Aria.
Standing in the lobby earlier, her chin high, her eyes cold, her shoulders stiff but unbroken. Defiance radiated from her like heat.
A thorn lodged itself deeper in my chest.
She looked at like I was a stranger.
No... worse.
Like I was soone she had to defend herself from.
Why?
Why wouldn’t she just take the money?
Why wouldn’t she let help her?
My wolf growled quietly inside , confused and angry at the sa ti.
I dragged a hand down my face, my chest tightening.
What happened to us? What did I miss?
While I stood there, trying to untangle the ss of guilt and anger twisting in my gut, the image of her, pale and thin, clutching that child, kept replaying in my mind.
And no matter how I tried, it wouldn’t go away.
Aria’s POV
My eyes actually sparkled, sothing I hadn’t felt in so long it startled .
"Ms. Darvin, the thirty-thousand-dollar dividend for this month has been deposited into your account."
The lawyer’s voice on the phone was smooth, professional... almost unreal.
For a heartbeat, I couldn’t breathe.
Thirty thousand?
Margaret actually let it go?
After fighting tooth and nail? After treating Kate’s bequest like it was her personal treasure?
It didn’t matter why.
This was one of Kate’s last gift to . One thing in this world that was never tainted by betrayal.
A small, shaky laugh slipped from my chest. Thirty thousand ant Lana was safe. Her milk, her diapers, her dicine. Everything.
A huge weight lifted, like soone had peeled a boulder off my back. My wolf stretched inside , releasing a long, relieved breath.
For the first ti in ages, I didn’t have to panic about tomorrow.
Evening had settled in, and since I still hadn’t found a place we could afford, I took Lana to a nearby hotel for the night.
"Here’s your room key, ma’am," the clerk said cheerfully.
The hotel wasn’t fancy, but it was clean, quiet and safe. A small oasis for a mother and her pup.
But just as I was starting to relax, Lana whimpered, then she cried. She refused to settle at all. Her little face had gone pale, her stomach rumbling with diarrhea.
My wolf perked up instantly, senses sharpened with instinctive protectiveness.
I changed her, bundled her up, and rushed out into the cool night to the nearest open pharmacy.
The mont I stepped out with the dicine bag in hand, a hand slamd out in front of , blocking my path.
A group of drunk n lounged around the entrance. They were Loud and sloppy, reeking of cheap liquor and trouble.
The one in front had neon-yellow hair that was so bright it almost glowed, and a grin that made my stomach churn.
I stiffened, every instinct on alert. My wolf raised her head, her teeth bared inside .
I turned to leave, but the yellow-haired guy stepped right into my path, waving his drunk friends forward.
"Hey, gorgeous," he slurred, thrusting his glowing phone in my face. "Why the rush? Hang out with us."
Lana whimpered in my arms. My heart squeezed painfully.
One of his lackeys snorted. "Dude, you’re hitting on a mom? Seriously? Your standards are in hell."
"What do you know?" the leader snapped. His eyes slid over my body in a way that made my wolf snarl. "Kid or no kid, she’s got a killer body. Can I have your number? Bet you’re a wild cat in bed."
Their laughter spread like a thick, disgusting fog.
Their eyes crawled over like insects.
I felt stripped, exposed and filthy.
Rage burned bright in my throat, but with Lana sick in my arms, I forced it down. My claws itched beneath my skin, but shifting was impossible—not here, not with her.
"I don’t have a phone," I said quietly, hoping they’d just let us go.
"Listen to that voice!" another jeered. "Sounds like she got run over by a truck!"
There was more laughter from them.
I spiraled my senses outward instinctively, searching for help. But the mont passersby saw the yellow-haired thug, they all looked away. Their fear outweighing their compassion.
Cowards.
"Co on, no phone? Give your number!" the leader growled, shoving my shoulder so hard I nearly fell.
I tightened my arms around Lana, stumbling.
Then one of them lunged for my hair.
"No—!" My wolf snapped inside as I jerked away.
My mask was ripped off instead.
The street fell silent.
The leader blinked, sobering up as he stared at my face.
"Your face..."
I ducked my head, grabbed the mask from the ground, and yanked it back on. Panic clawed up my spine.
I tried to slip past them, but the leader’s hand clamped around my arm.
"Boys, this one’s mine," he crowed, drunk excitent glittering in his eyes. "Didn’t expect such a pretty face under that—hell, even the scar looks sexy."
He spun and slapped one of his own goons hard across the face. "You hurt her!", he snapped.
I flinched at the sudden violence. That could’ve been .
"Let go!" I snarled, fear spiking sharp inside like broken glass.
I thrashed, my wolf shoving adrenaline through my limbs, and managed to break free.
I ran.
The yellow-haired thug chased , his breath loud, heavy, too close—
Then—
There was a piercing screech.
A luxury car tore into the street, headlights blazing like twin suns. Power radiated from the sleek black fra.
The thug faltered, colour drained from his face. He stopped dead.
The car rolled to a halt, and the street seed to hold its breath.
I froze too.
The window slid down revealing Nathan’s cold, chiseled face.
My breath caught.
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