Free Web NovelChapter 24: Chapter 24
Aria’s POV
It was Alpha Richard!
"Let go of me Richard!, What do you want?" I hissed, yanking free. My wolf bristled instantly.
He looked at me, his eyes rimmed red, his chest rising unevenly. He already knew what had happened.
"You saw, didn’t you?" he said, his voice cracking. "Nathan’s heart belongs to Sophia. Showing up here like this... you were just asking to be humiliated. I pulled you away to spare you the shame. You should be thanking me."
"Thanking you?" I spat. My voice came out rougher than I expected, the growl threading through it unmistakable. "For what? For your false testimony that sent me to prison? For pretending to care while you stole my work and handed it to her?"
His eyes darted, guilt flashing in them.
"Don’t tell me you didn’t love Sophia," I went on, my voice shaking but deadly. "You went through all that trouble for her. Was getting close to me part of your plan from the start, Richard?"
My stomach twisted with disgust as I glared at him.
We’d grown up side by side, almost like siblings. When his family had turned their backs on him, it was me who stayed. I’d defended him, believed in him, believed that with his sharp mind and hunger, he could rise without the Cowen’s name.
And he had.
The boy I’d comforted through nightmares had become a man the business world worshipped, a powerful alpha now recognized by his family. He had become a polished, cunning rival that even Nathan had respected.
And yet, he’d been the one to destroy me.
I’d called him my best friend. Maybe the only friend I’d ever really had. The socialites had always whispered behind my back, fawning over Sophia and freezing me out. But I hadn’t cared. I had him. Someone who’d seen my cracks and hadn’t flinched.
Or so I’d thought.
Now, just the sight of him made my wolf want to bare her teeth.
"Just the sight of you makes me sick," I spat, every word laced with venom. My voice trembled, but not from fear, but from pure rage I felt towards him.
I tightened my grip on Lana, her tiny warmth the only thing keeping me tethered to reason, and I brushed past his shoulder.
"Aria," he said, his voice cracking as his hand caught my arm. "I know you won’t forgive me, but it’s okay. I can protect you now. Even Nathan can’t hurt you anymore."
I turned to him, slowly, my pulse drumming in my ears. His eyes glistened with tears, full of what looked like regret or maybe he was just good at pretending. He’d always been good at pretending.
My wolf surged forward, wanting to rip free, to leave his lies in tatters. I forced her back down, barely.
"Save your acting for Sophia," I hissed, jerking my arm from his grip.
He flinched.
Good. freeweɓnovel.cøm
The slap I wanted to give him burned in my palm. The only thing stopping me was the baby in my arms, my daughter, my weakness, my anchor.
If it weren’t for her...
He’d be bleeding for real even though he is obviously bigger and stronger than me.
I turned away, forcing one foot in front of the other, holding Lana tighter as I walked away. Her little whimper cut through my rage, pulling me back to myself.
I saw Richard’s beta and assistant, Jude, standing in my path as though waiting for orders from his boss. Pity flickered in his gaze.
Even he pitied me. ƒreewebηoveℓ.com
"Tell your lapdog to move," I snarled, my voice low and edged with something almost feral.
My wolf was stirring within me— restless, pacing beneath my skin.
Richard’s jaw tightened, but he lifted his hand. His assistant, Jude immediately stepped aside, his head bowed.
"I know you won’t come with me," Richard said, his tone softening. "But it’s still raining. Let me at least arrange a car to take you back."
"Richard, I have business with Nathan," I snapped. "You don’t need to stop me for Sophia’s sake."
His composure cracked. "Aria," he barked, "don’t take your kid to see Nathan. Sophia’s pregnant! You and your child are just obstacles in their eyes!"
The words hit me like claws to the chest.
For a heartbeat, I froze, every instinct screaming to turn, to tear, to howl.
My wolf’s pain burned hot behind my ribs. Pregnant? Of course. Of course Sophia had found another way to bind herself to him.
But I wouldn’t give Richard the satisfaction of seeing me break.
I stumbled, steadied myself, and kept walking but not toward the Hemsworth Group anymore, toward the exit.
I was walking away without looking back.
Rain lashed my face as I tried to flag down a taxi. I didn’t have any luck until one finally stopped.
Lana whimpered softly in my arms, and I climbed in without checking the plate. The interior was warm, smelling faintly of leather and soap.
The driver wore a mask and a gray hoodie, the brim of his cap shadowing his face. He passed me a note:
> I’m mute. Just tell me where to go.
My throat tightened. "So you are disabled too, huh?" I whispered. "I guess we’re kindred spirits."
He handed me two towels. They were clean and soft, carrying the scent of cotton and rain. I smiled faintly. "Thank you. We need these. I’ll pay for them."
Then I remembered he couldn’t answer. I slipped a hundred-dollar bill under the seat even though he didn’t notice.
Lana’s tiny body shivered in my arms. I stripped away her wet clothes and wrapped her snugly in the towel, rubbing her back until her breathing steadied.
I didn’t bother drying myself. My eyelids grew heavy, my body trembling with exhaustion. The fever was coming, I could feel it in the way my skin burned.
I couldn’t close my eyes. Not with Lana here. Not with danger lurking behind every shadow.
I pinched my thigh hard, trying to stay awake.
Through the rearview mirror, I caught a glimpse of the driver’s eyes. For a brief second, something flickered there.
He stared at me as if he knew me.
My wolf bristled within me. Why does he look at me like that?
