Richard’s POV
Nathan stood outside my office, the receptionist trailing behind him with the panic of soone who had just failed spectacularly at her job. His eyes cut straight through the hallway, radiating an Alpha’s dominance so sharply the air itself felt like it bowed to him.
Our gazes collided. Sparks crackled in the air between us. His wolf pressed forward, a heavy, crushing presence brushing against mine. I forced a faint smile.
"Alpha Nathan Hemsworth," I said, ntioning his full na, my voice smooth despite the tightening in my chest. "Long ti no see."
He didn’t even acknowledge , did not utter a single word.
Of course he didn’t.
His eyes locked instantly onto Lana who was sitting on the sofa with her big, watery eyes, nibbling on her tiny hand. The mont he saw her, everything in him softened, his shoulders, his eyes, even his scent shifted, losing that sharp Alpha edge for a heartbeat.
My stomach twisted painfully.
Then his gaze snapped back to , cold and lethal.
He pushed past like I wasn’t even there and scooped Lana into his arms. His wolf surged, possessive and protective, wrapping around her like a shield of invisible fla.
I hated how natural it looked.
"How about an explanation?" Nathan demanded.
I lifted a brow. "Explanation? For what?"
I chuckled, but my composure strained under the weight of his presence. His dominance always hit like a punch. It was effortless, suffocating and infuriating.
Nathan t my eyes without flinching. "I’m not as patient as Aria. A year ago, you climbed over using Cowen Group’s deal with the governor. Don’t pretend you forgot. We still have unfinished business."
His fingers tapped the desk, slow and firm, each tap like a warning growl from his wolf.
Damn him.
My jaw tightened, heat flaring in my chest. The room had grown so quiet I could hear my own pulse pounding, the tension between our wolves sharpening the air until it humd.
"Aria ca to you first, didn’t she?" I asked, fighting to keep my voice steady.
Nathan didn’t even blink. "She’s my wife. Who else would she turn to in a crisis? You?"
The scoff that left him was a slap. He gently wiped Lana’s mouth with a handkerchief, his movents practiced. My heart twisted, like my ribcage was being crushed from the inside.
He had no right.
"She’s been trying to divorce you," I snapped at him. "Don’t flatter yourself."
For a mont, just a mont, I saw it, I saw Nathan’s façade faltered, it was a flicker of sothing dark passing through his eyes.
Then in a matter of seconds, it was gone.
He straightened to his full height, towering and imposing, every line of his body radiating Alpha authority. I could feel his wolf pressing down on mine, daring to challenge him.
"I’m taking the child," he said, his voice low and glacial. "You can explain it to Aria."
He turned and strode out with Lana. The office door slamd shut, the sound echoing like a victory howl.
My secretary hovered nervously.
"Alpha Richard... should we stop him?"
I gave him a slow look.
"Stop him?" I repeated, my voice dripping venom. "You think you can?"
He rubbed his nose awkwardly. No one could stop Nathan. Everyone knew that.
I clenched my fists to stop my claws from breaking through my skin. Rage simred under my ribs.
A year ago, I’d clawed my way to the top, dragging the Cowen family into Asterfell’s elite. I’d waited, plotted, and struck, hoping to cripple Nathan. But he’d countered effortlessly, like he always did. He was always one step ahead, impossible to corner.
And now? I still couldn’t touch him.
As for Aria... I had been so sure she would run to once she got out of prison. It should have been by her side. It should have been holding her. It should have been—
A thought hit , sharp and cold.
Aria spent a year in prison... and ca out with a child.
And from everything I knew, Nathan had no idea Lana was his.
By all logic, Aria, a convicted felon with an "illegitimate" child, should’ve repulsed him. His pride alone should’ve rejected her.
So why—
Why did he look at Lana the way he did?
Why was he rejecting every one of Aria’s divorce requests?
Why was he insisting she and the child return to Hemsworth Villa?
mory replayed Nathan’s expression as he held Lana in a tender, protective and instinctive manner.
There was no disgust in his eyes, no atom of hesitation. My breath caught as a though struck . A cold shiver crawled down my spine.
No.
No, it couldn’t be.
Could it?
Did Nathan already know Lana was his child?
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