Free Web NovelChapter 240: Chapter 240
Aria’s POV
For the first time, fear cracked Sophia’s composure. It was as if invisible claws were wrapped around her throat. We’d fought for years, openly, covertly but it had never been this intense. She had never seen me like this.
Then my gaze shifted to the nanny.
I rounded on her like a predator sighting prey.
“She said Lana was alone when she arrived,” I said coldly. “Is this how you take care of her? Where were you?”
Her lips trembled. “I...I was hired by Alpha Nathan, I can’t be watching all the time...”
Smack!
The sound rang even louder than the first.
I held Lana with one arm, my other hand still raised, my face devoid of warmth.
“If anything happens to my daughter,” I said slowly, “I will sue you until you have nothing left. I don’t care who hired you.”
Authority rolled off me like a command from an Alpha.
The nanny finally panicked, her eyes darting to Sophia for help.
Sophia said nothing. Just glared at me, looking furious and powerless.
Then...
Wooh...wooh...
Sirens wailed outside.
My fury snapped into pure urgency.
I bolted for the door with Lana clutched tightly to me. The moment the medical team saw us, they rushed forward.
Lana’s eyes fluttered weakly. Her cheeks which were once plump and rosy had sunk, her vitality leaking away like air from a punctured balloon.
And yet, even like this—
Her tiny fingers curled tightly around mine.
She didn’t cry, she just held on.
I watched, my heart hammering, as the medical staff rolled up Lana’s tiny sleeves and pant legs. Bruises...fresh, angry bruises were blooming across her soft skin. My wolf snapped inside me.
I left her fine.
How had this happened? My claws itched to rend whoever had done this. My pulse pounded like a war drum in my ears, the scent of Lana’s fear and pain mixing with the smell of antiseptic around us.
The nurse, visibly shocked, glanced at me. I didn’t need her words to feel the panic and horror in the atmosphere. My wolf growled low, coiling tightly in my chest.
“This poor child,” the nurse whispered under her breath, shaking her head. “Someone’s been cruel to her.”
I didn’t respond. My hands clenched into fists, nails digging into my palms. Rage burned hotter than any fire I’d ever felt.
“Luna, if you and the child are in danger, you must report it to the authorities,” the nurse continued, tending to Lana’s IV.
“I will,” I said, my voice low, predatory. “And anyone who harms my daughter won’t escape me.”
Regret slashed through me. Why did I leave her alone? Why didn’t I fire that nanny immediately, after what happened yesterday? Why didn’t I stay at home?
Lana’s tiny grip on my hand slackened, and my chest seized. “My child, she...” I couldn’t finish. My wolf snarled, snapping at the air.
“Don’t worry,” the nurse soothed. “Tests show someone gave her too much salt. She is dehydration. Even an adult would struggle, so it’s normal for her to pass out.”
“Salt?” I echoed, my thoughts spinning. Milk and porridge... I had fed her myself. Who would deliberately give her salt? My claws itched, my wolf pacing frantically beneath my skin. Sophia? The nanny? My anger roared, pure and unrelenting. ƒrēewebnoѵёl.cσm
The ambulance carried us to the Hemsworth Group’s private hospital, my senses straining the entire way.
Finally inside, Lana was placed on a prepared bed. My hands trembled as I followed, finally letting my body breathe when the doctor began outlining the treatment plan.
I reserved a private room with no distractions or intruders. Just my pup and me. The soft beep of the IV was the only sound punctuating the tense silence.
I pulled a chair close and watched as her small chest rose and fell with weak breaths. Guilt burned like acid in my chest. Why didn’t I stay? Why did I leave her alone?
I turned, wiping my tears with the back of my hand. The sting of them only fueled the wolf inside me.
“Luna Aria, paperwork,” a nurse called softly through the door.
I nodded, lingering for one last glance at my cub. I pressed a gentle kiss to her forehead before stepping out.
“Her condition is stable,” the nurse reassured me. “You brought her in early, thank goodness.”
I gave her a tight, grateful smile, my wolf still pacing under my skin. When I was done with the paperwork, I returned to the room, flipping through test results as I walked.
I made a stop at the restroom. I caught my reflection on the mirror. I was pale, as though I had no blood. Unease coiling around my chest like a predator stalking its prey. I splashed cold water on my face and tried to steady my breathing.
Then I sensed something was amiss, I reached up to adjust my hair and my gaze shifted to the mirror.
My eyes met a pair of strange eyes that sent an electric jolt through me.
They were a man’s!
The realization hit her like a lightning bolt.
A shiver ran down my spine. The man held me. My wolf growled, claws itching for the fight, but the grip from behind was firm, unyielding.
Before I could process anything further, A cloth pressed to my face. Pungent, choking scent hit me, and the world tilted. My vision blurred, panic surging within me...
I struggled, my wolf thrashed frantically and bared her teeth until my body went limp.
