Free Web NovelChapter 100: Chapter 100
Aria’s POV
Outsiders.
My chest tightened. I’d been one my whole life...
"Oh," I breathed, more startled than I meant to sound.
For a heartbeat, I actually considered staying inside. Turning around. Locking the door.
Running, like always.
But then Lana looked up at me with those bright, eager eyes, tiny fingers curled around my shirt like I was her entire world. My resolve softened instantly.
For her, I reminded myself. Just breathe. Just act normal.
Florence gave a few more instructions before someone called her away. She pointed me toward the park, and then she was gone, moving briskly, not the least bit worried.
I followed her directions toward the park. As soon as I neared the entrance, the sounds hit me—rolling stroller wheels, soft chatter, overlapping voices. My hearing sharpened instinctively; my wolf always reacted to crowds.
We passed through a thicket of bushes, and warm sunlight spilled over us. I squinted, feeling a strange looseness in my shoulders.
For the first time in days, my body wasn’t braced for danger.
A few women nearby stopped talking when their eyes landed on me. I felt it immediately, the prickle of attention brushing along my skin. My wolf didn’t like being stared at, but I kept my expression neutral.
One of the women, cradling a baby, walked over with a friendly smile.
"Hey, are you here to take your little one out for a walk, too?" she asked.
Her features were delicate and almost unreal, like she’d stepped out of a storybook.
I managed a polite smile. "Yeah. The baby needs some fresh air. It’s been cooped up too long."
She leaned down to look at Lana.
Lana blinked up at her, innocent and curious, my tiny pup melting hearts without even trying.
"Your baby is just too cute," the woman gushed.
Then she bounced the little boy in her arms and leaned closer with a playful wink.
"You live around here, right? Look at my little guy, he’s going to be a real charmer. How about we make these two an item? I feel like we’re meant to be connected."
I let out a laugh. It was awkward and a little too high. My brain scrambled for words.
"I’m staying at a nearby apartment hotel," I said. "And they’re still young. Their future relationships are up to them, you know."
Her smile faltered with a soft, disappointed "Ah, I see."
Before I could think of something less uncomfortable to add, a smooth, lazy male voice drifted from behind me.
"You’re really worried he won’t land a wife, huh?"
Instinct kicked in, I turned immediately, my pulse tightening. My wolf bristled at the unknown presence, even though the woman didn’t react at all. She just coughed lightly and shot back with a pout:
"You came all the way to Asterfell just to bug me, you little rascal?"
He shrugged. "This is the fifth time this month you’ve tried to set your son up."
With a third person suddenly in the mix, I felt even more like I’d wandered into the wrong den. My fingers tightened around Lana’s blanket, and I fought the urge to back away.
Before I could escape, the man stepped forward, casting a shadow over me. freeweɓnøvel.com
"Hey, this one’s your best pick yet," the young man drawled, his hands casually stuffed in his pockets.
His messy hair half-covered his eyes, but even I could pick up on it—his confidence, his expensive clothing. He looked like someone who wasn’t used to being ignored.
I felt my brows pinch together. All I wanted was to leave, quietly, cleanly, without drawing any more attention to myself.
"You two carry on," I said, forcing a polite smile even though my wolf was already edging back. "I’ll take the kids for a stroll."
My voice came out softer than I intended. It always did when I was trying not to appear threatened.
But the man heard it.
He looked down lazily at first... and then his entire body went still.
His eyes widened causing me to stiffen.
Why was he looking at me like that?
The young lady beside me noticed before I even processed it.
"Are you okay? Step on a nail or something?" she asked him, half-joking.
But he didn’t react. He didn’t even blink.
Then suddenly, his hand shot forward and wrapped around my wrist.
My wolf snarled inside my chest, my fur bristling. The grip wasn’t painful, but it was wrong, too tight, too familiar, like he was afraid I’d disappear.
"Is it really you?" he breathed.
I frowned, irritation flashing through me. Strangers didn’t just grab people. It was totally wrong.
I lifted my head, ready to snap—
—and then our eyes met.
Everything inside me froze.
His scent hit first—clean, crisp, something oddly familiar beneath it, like the ghost of a memory I shouldn’t have. A strange flutter stirred low in my chest, and my breath caught.
What was that?
I stepped back quickly, putting space between us before my wolf reacted on instinct.
"You’ve got the wrong person," I said, the words sharper than I meant.
But he didn’t let go.
He didn’t move.
His eyes stayed locked on mine, intense and searching.
The young lady stared between us, curiosity practically buzzing off her.
What was happening?
Why was this stranger acting like I was someone who mattered?
People were starting to notice, their footsteps slowing, their gazes drifting our way. Heat crawled up my neck. I hated being watched. Exposure made my wolf restless.
Finally, something clicked in his head. His lashes fluttered, and his grip loosened. He released me reluctantly.
"Sorry," he murmured.
For a second, I just blinked at him.
Sorry?
From a man who carried himself like the world bent around him?
The young lady’s jaw nearly hit the ground.
"D-Do you two know each other?" she blurted.
