Free Web NovelChapter 150: Chapter 150
Aria’s POV
Francis was my old friend. My brother in all but blood. Over a year had passed, yet he looked almost the same. Transparent square-framed glasses, hair slicked back neatly. Calm, composed Francis.
He looked a little bit exhausted.
He stepped forward, his muscular arm brushing past me as he reached out and closed the car door for me before Nathan could. His movements were clean and efficient, the polished confidence of a wolf who had seen more than he spoke of.
My eyes blurred for a second, and my nose prickled with emotion.
Seeing him again felt like another lifetime. Like a version of me that no longer existed.
Our gazes locked, and for a moment, neither of us spoke. His eyes flickered with a mix of surprise, confusion ansand something like sadness.
If Nathan hadn’t been standing there radiating Alpha possessiveness, Francis might not have even recognized me from behind. It was clear from the way sadness clouded his eyes for a moment that I wasn’t the same Aria he remembered.
Francis’s gaze lingered as if trying to piece together the changes in me.
Nathan’s scent spiked; sharp and territorial. He clenched his fist and stepped subtly forward, blocking Francis’s view of me.
“Collins checked the flight details,” Nathan said tightly. “No meals on board. There’s a restaurant nearby. Let’s go eat and talk.”
Francis’s eyes flickered towards me once more before he looked away. fгee𝑤ebɳoveɭ.cøm
He gave Nathan a polite but distant smile. “Alright then.”
I followed behind them quietly, my wolf trotting in step within me, my ears perked, sensing every tension in the air.
Just as we reached the restaurant and were led to our table, a burst of perfume and frantic footsteps approached.
It was Sophia.
Her scent scraped against my senses. She practically bounced toward us, her eyes shining too brightly.
“Nathan, what a coincidence!” she chirped, almost breathless with excitement.
Nathan paused. The shift in his body was small, but my wolf caught it instantly, annoyance tightening his shoulders. “What are you doing here?”
Sophia stuck out her tongue playfully and pointed toward her table.
“That’s my college advisor over there, I just had a meal with him”.
Her college advisor, an elderly man with white hair and sharp, intelligent eyes gave Nathan a respectful nod.
Sophia puffed up proudly. “I was worried about the recent issues at Hemsworth Group, so I asked him to help brainstorm.”
She stared straight at Nathan as if waiting for praise.
Nathan gave it to her. “Thank you for your hard work.”
But he lowered his eyes as he spoke, deliberately avoiding looking in my direction.
My wolf snorted... Coward.
Sophia glowed at the compliment, waving her hands. “It’s no trouble! I’m always happy to help you, Nathan!”
Francis watched the exchange, and I sensed a subtle shift in him. His gaze slid toward me. He knew me, knew my history, knew my feelings for Nathan, feelings I’d spent over a year burying deep.
But I only watched calmly. ƒreewebɳovel.com
From the outside, maybe it looked like I was staring at them.
But truly? I wasn’t even giving them enough attention to cast a shadow in my mind.
I was just an observer. Nothing more.
Francis must have sensed it too. A slight confusion rippled off him.
Then Sophia, perhaps sensing something off, stepped toward Francis and extended her hand. “You must be the famous Mr. Murray?”
But Francis intercepted her before she could reach the table.
With smooth authority, he lifted a hand. “We have matters to discuss. A fourth person would be inconvenient. Please understand, Ms. Sophia Darvin.”
Her smile cracked, embarrassment flashing over her face.
Francis’s eyes narrowed slightly as he studied her. I could tell he’d already pieced everything together, from the rumors he must have heard abroad, from what he already knew of my family.
Hr knew that Sophia was my adoptive sister. The wolf who always carried complicated energy toward me.
She blinked, then looked at Nathan, clearly hoping he would override Francis.
But Nathan sided with him immediately. “Take care of your teacher first.”
Sophia’s hopeful spark dimmed for a heartbeat.
But then—
Nathan’s fingers slackened, and his hand lifted to pat her head. My wolf stiffened at the display of dominance-tinged affection.
His tone softened, dipping into that low, gentle register he rarely used. “I’ll come find you when I’m done.”
It was a tender voice, maybe too tender. Sophia flushed instantly. Her previous unhappiness evaporated like mist.
She nodded eagerly. “Then I’ll wait for you!”
She scampered off with a spring in her step, only pausing to glance at me; a look I felt more than saw. It was sharp and probing.
Francis raised a brow, studying Nathan and then me.
Nathan tapped the table. “You should be aware of the situation at Hemsworth Group. I’ve done what you asked. Now, what about what I want?”
Francis laughed lightly. “Alpha Nathan, we’ve known each other for a long time. Can’t old friends catch up first? Must you jump into business?”
He stood, poured wine into Nathan’s glass, and said, “What’s the harm in waiting? Don’t disappoint those who shouldn’t be kept waiting.”
Nathan froze momentarily.
He stared at Francis with a strange expression, almost... wary.
Francis met his stare effortlessly, raising his glass, unflinching.
Whatever he said rattled Nathan, because the Alpha glanced at me, almost instinctively, almost unwillingly.
But I didn’t look up. I simply cut my steak, keeping my profile calm and smooth.
Francis noticed my struggle with the meat and quietly took my plate. “Let me help.”
I let him. Not because I couldn’t cut it, but because the steak was annoyingly tough and Francis had always been considerate.
I gave him a small smile.
A low irritation rose from Nathan, sharp as lightning. His scent spiked. He was feeling unsettled.
He slammed his utensils down. “Francis, I’m busy.”
