Free Web NovelChapter 14: Chapter 14
Aria’s POV
By nine, I was back at the dorm. The place reeked of sweat, bleach, and exhaustion. I barely had time to settle Lana in her crib before the others surrounded me like bees around spilled honey.
"I heard they docked your pay, Aria. Is it true?"
"Did you really find a gold necklace?"
"Don’t listen to them! Aria’s not that kind of person!"
Their voices buzzed all around.
Then kara appeared, her tired eyes finding mine immediately. She didn’t even drop her bag before she pulled me aside. "Aria, did you piss someone off?"
Her voice was low but urgent. kara had always looked out for me even when it got her punished for it.
Because of me, she’d been reassigned to the dump section, the filthiest, most dangerous area in the district. And it showed. She looked like she’d crawled out of hell — grime streaking her face, her hands raw and trembling from cold.
The scent of decay clung to her like smoke. I didn’t hesitate. I grabbed a basin, poured water, worked up soap, and began wiping her down gently.
I fought back the sting in my nose and the rush of tears in my eyes as I worked.
"It doesn’t matter, really," kara said softly, trying to sound cheerful. "Don’t worry about me." But her voice cracked, and I saw the tears glint in her lashes before she blinked them away.
She glanced toward Lana, fast asleep, then caught my wrist and tugged me down beside her. "Look at you — crying again," she said with a faint smile. "You’re a mother. You can’t afford to fall apart. That little one still needs you."
Her words hit me right in the chest. I wiped my face with my sleeve, trying to pull myself together. "No, I just... I just feel so sorry, kara. I dragged you into this."
"Don’t be ridiculous. Lana’s adorable. I like her. I want to do something for her — not just for you."
Then she leaned in close, voice dropping to a whisper. "Aria, let me ask you — did you piss someone off recently?"
I blinked, confused. "What? Why would you say that?"
"On the way back, I passed Anita," kara said. "She was in her car, on the phone. I heard your name. She was talking to someone called Mr. Stone — said they were planning to get rid of you."
My stomach dropped, and my wolf let out a low growl deep inside me. "Are you sure she didn’t say Kevin?"
kara shook her head. "No. Mr. Stone. I’m sure."
Mr. Stone? I didn’t know anyone by that name. But the name felt wrong in my bones, like something my instincts recognized even if my mind didn’t.
"I don’t get it," kara muttered. "You’re just a single mom with a baby. Who would have it out for someone like you? But Anita—she runs this whole district. And the way she talked to that man..." kara’s brow furrowed. "She was respectful. Scared, even. That means he’s powerful. I don’t think your job is safe anymore."
My heart thudded, heavy and fast. My wolf bristled within me.
"You need to start thinking ahead," kara continued, her voice firm but kind. "You don’t belong here, Aria. You’re not meant to spend your life sweeping streets with a baby on your back."
I stared at her, the words sinking deep.
"Oh, and one more thing," kara added, already pulling off her vest. "Anita’s one-legged nephew is working the block next to yours this afternoon. Stay out of his way. That one’s trouble."
With that, she collapsed onto her bunk, falling asleep almost instantly.
Lana slept soundly beside me, her tiny breaths puffing against the thin blanket. Her little face was so peaceful, round and flushed, like a ripe apple.
I reached out and traced a finger along her cheek. She was my reason for holding everything together. freёwebnovel.com
My eyes burned again, and I blinked hard, refusing to let the tears fall this time. I’d promised myself I wouldn’t cry anymore. Tears didn’t change anything — they just made my wolf restless, pacing inside me, growling at my weakness.
Since getting out of prison, I’d done everything right. I’d kept my head down, worked hard, never picked a fight. Never even spoke unless I had to. But someone, someone powerful had their sights on me.
Mr. Stone.
The name left a bitter taste in my mouth. Whoever he was, he had power— enough to make Anita Clark bend like a reed in the wind, enough to pull the strings that decided who ate and who starved.
A face flickered in my mind. My stomach twisted, a warning pulse from my wolf. I pushed the image away.
No. It couldn’t be him.
If it were really him... Lana and I wouldn’t still be breathing.
I ran a hand through my tangled hair and exhaled slowly, trying to push down the tension crawling under my skin. My wolf hated uncertainty. She liked clear enemies. But right now, the danger was in the shadows— hidden, watching and waiting.
Who could it be?
