Free Web NovelChapter 116: Chapter 116
Aria’s POV
It was Rowland.
“Did you find something you like? I’ll pick you up tonight.”
Tonight.
My stomach twisted. Nathan wasn’t pulling late-night hours anymore. Our packhouse wasn’t large. If Rowland showed up, he and Nathan would cross paths. And though I was divorcing him, Nathan was still my Alpha, still my husband in the pack’s eyes.
Two dominant wolves meeting at my door?
That would be bloodshed waiting to happen.
“No,” I said quickly. “I’ll take a cab.”
There was a small pause before Rowland answered, his tone warm and understanding. “Alright. I’ll wait at the entrance of the auction venue.”
“Okay.”
When I hung up, the sky was already dimming.
I didn’t have the luxury of wasting time. My wolf was already pacing inside me, restless, wanting a change of environment, wanting to have fun.
I fed Lana her evening milk, brushing my fingers over her tiny curls as she suckled sleepily. Her little wolf scent soothed me, grounding me. Once she finished, I placed her gently in her crib with her toys. She giggled and pawed at her stuffed fox, and for a moment, the knot in my chest loosened.
Then I moved to the dressing table.
There were four hours till the auction. Less, actually. And I needed to be gone before Nathan returned to the villa.
Rejecting his invitation only to show up with another male?
Yeah. That would be... awkward. Infact awkward was an understatement.
But running into him at the auction?
That was a problem for future me.
I picked up the pace with my makeup, blending concealer over the scars life had carved into me. When I finally leaned back, a delicate, composed face stared back at me. Not the broken Luna, not the abandoned wife.
Just... Beautiful Aria.
My wolf flicked her tail approvingly.
After I changed into my gown and slipped Lana into her tiny princess dress, we headed down to the waiting car. Lana’s excitement bubbled through the vehicle, making me smile despite the nerves twisting my stomach.
The aunction was held in Asterfell’s largest indoor flower show, an unusual choice.
When I arrived the venue, I spotted Rowland, standing at the entrance like an ice sculpture come alive. He looked a bit cold and irritated, and was clearly seconds away from snapping at the gaggle of she-wolves trying too hard to get his attention.
But then he saw me.
Just like that, his cold demeanor melted. His eyes lit up with warmth he didn’t even try to hide.
He strode toward me instantly. “You look... amazing.”
Heat rushed up my neck. My wolf perked up, curious and flustered. “Let’s just... go in,” I murmured.
He sensed my nerves and moved ahead, his tall, broad frame shielding both me and Lana from every hungry stare that darted our way.
The women who had been prowling around him earlier? Oh, they saw me, even though I was shielding my face. I didn’t want to be in the spotlight or get too noticed. I could feel their jealousy hit the air like a sour scent as we passed them.
My ears caught some whispers floating in the air.
“Who is she?”
“Why did this charming man with Alpha energy pick her as a date?”
“she even has a kid?”
Even if they saw my face, I doubt any of them would be able to recognize me. I had been away in prison for close to two years and have changed so much from how I previously was.
Rowland guided us deeper inside the venue, and the murmurs softened.
Nathan’s POV
I was driven in my limited-edition black Bentley to the auction venue. The car soon rolled to a stop, its engine purring like a satisfied beast.
The moment my polished leather shoes touched the ground, the familiar scent of fear and curiosity flooded my senses. Deliciously predictable.
I stepped out fully, smoothing a hand down my suit pants, feeling the cool brush of fabric against the warmth of my skin. My wolf prowled beneath the surface, impatient, restless, watching the crowd with predatory interest. free𝑤ebnovel.com
Their silence hit like a wave the instant they recognized me.
They parted automatically, their bodies moving before their minds caught up.
I adjusted the metallic cufflinks on my sleeves and strode into the auction hall. My wolf bristled with satisfaction at the reverent hush trailing behind me. freewebnovёl.ƈom
Two minutes,that’s all it ever took.
Then the silence shattered.
“Oh my god! Alpha Nathan is finally here!” someone squealed, excitement bursting like static in the air. “But where is Ms. Sophia Darvin?”
I stiffened for the briefest moment. What the hell did they mean by that?.
“Yeah,” another voice piped up, hia confusion thick in the air. “Alpha Nathan always brings Ms. Sophia Darvin to events like this. What’s going on this time?”
Well now that Luna Aria is back, is it only fair that he focuses on his family and keep his public appearances with Ms. Sophia at bay”.
My ears twitched at their conversation but I kept walking, my expression carved from stone, but inside, my wolf snarled.
Aria should be here, by my side...where she truly belongs.
But she wasn’t, or so I thought....
