Free Web NovelChapter 161: Chapter 161
Aria’s POV
I turned my head slowly, meeting her gaze. Her disgust was an insult my wolf didn’t appreciate.
She scanned me from head to toe, taking in my casual clothes and my face with no makeup.
A low, judgmental laugh left her. “Where did this clueless pauper come from? Not even a dress? Trying to cut in line?”
She crossed her arms and blocked my way.
“Security, get her out of here.”
Her arrogance scraped down my spine like a dull blade. I didn’t bother responding, words weren’t u worth wasting. Instead, I turned my gaze back to Ethan.
I just stared.
His scent spiked with panic. He almost tripped over himself trying to shut the lady up.
Hemsworth Villa is just a venue for them, but to me, it was my temporary home.
The young lady kept ranting her eyes flicking towards Ethan.
“I’m here on Sophia’s personal invitation,” she declared, lifting her chin. “Think carefully before you act.”
She removed her sunglasses like she expected applause.
Ethan froze. Recognition flickered across his face as he saw her.
The moment I stepped toward the gate, my eyes stayed locked on Ethan, specifically on the gate remote in his trembling hand. I didn’t spare the young lady a single glance. Drawing my scarf higher, I buried half my face beneath it... partly to avoid trouble, partly because my wolf hated the reek of too many perfumes in one place.
She noticed my silence. And silence, to women like her, is gasoline.
“Who do you think you are?” she snapped, reaching forward to grab me.
My wolf reacted before I did.
I slapped her hand away, sharp and precise. “Back Off.”
Even muffled by the scarf, the second word came out like a growl, my wolf pushing through my throat. A few guests gasped, staring at me as though I’d just bitten someone. Maybe I would’ve, if she tried again.
The young lady froze, shock flickering across her face before turning crimson with fury.
The fact that she was Sophia’s friend, Nathan’s new favorite, made my wolf bristle with anger and bare her teeth in disgust. In her mind, she was untouchable at Hemsworth Villa just because she knew Sophia.
“You bitch!” she spat, raising her hand again.
The surrounding commotion disrupted the invitation checks, stirring up impatient murmurs. Footsteps clicked sharply behind us, it was light, practiced, attention-seeking. I didn’t need to turn; I could already smell Sophia’s scent.
“What’s going on?” she asked smoothly.
She was dressed in an understated but deliberately chic outfit. While the other socialites floated around in yards of satin, Sophia alone looked effortlessly radiant, like she wanted Nathan to notice that she was different.
My ears twitched at the sound of her steps. My wolf bristled.
Ethan, nearly in tears, pulled out his phone and sent a frantic message to someone.
Then I heard Sophia’s voice.
“Aria?”
The crowd rippled, whispers spreading like wildfire.
Aria? Alpha Nathan’s wife?
Why is she here? Aren’t they separated?
Oh right—they’re still legally married...
There was curiosity, judgement, anticipation flaring in their scents. My wolf absorbed them.
Sophia’s gaze slid over me—my simple clothes, my scarf, my lack of makeup. She widened her eyes with perfectly rehearsed surprise.
“Aria, why are you dressed like that? Today’s the party Nathan organized just for me. Didn’t he tell you?”
Her words carried loudly, too loudly and purposefully so.
A hush fell over the guests.
Someone whispered, “Alpha Nathan threw
a party for Sophia at Hemsworth Villa.
Without informing his wife who lived there.”
I turned my head and stared at Sophia, who was smiling with pride, my gaze cold as frost.
“Does it matter if he did or didn’t?”
Every eye sharpened. My wolf stood tall within me, my spine straightening, refusing to cower or bow to anyone.
Sophia blinked, thrown off balance for a second. Then she stepped forward, smiling with false warmth, reaching for my hand.
“Aria, you’re mistaken—”
I withdrew my hand before she could touch me.
Her fingers hung awkwardly in the air. Someone sucked in a breath.
I let my gaze sweep lazily across the crowd before returning to Ethan.
“Open the gate,” I said. “Or I can’t guarantee your party will go smoothly.” fгee𝑤ebɳoveɭ.cøm
Sophia’s smile froze. “Aria, what do you mean?”
I didn’t answer. Silence can be sharper than claws.
Sophia swallowed. A small tremor of fear reached my senses.
She finally understood I wasn’t bluffing.
Just then Collins burst out of the villa.
“Luna Aria!”
The crowd’s reaction shifted again. Like waves crashing in a storm.
Collins glared at Ethan. “What’s going on? How dare you block the Alpha’s Luna?”
