Free Web NovelChapter 254: Chapter 254
Nathan’s POV
Pain lanced through me anyway. I spoke again, desperate now, even dragging Lana into it like a shield. “If you’re not satisfied, I’ll have Collins reinvestigate everything. But come home first. Lana is still at the villa, can you really not be at ease?”
Her jaw was set. She looked at me like I was a joke.
Her lips curved upward, but there was no warmth in it. “I will be at ease” she said calmly. “Once I’ve beaten those who want to harm Lana into submission and fear, she’ll be perfectly safe.”
Before I could react, she raised her hand again.
The whip cracked through the air.
Sophia’s face drained of color as her legs gave out beneath her. She collapsed to the floor, the scent of her terror filled the room.
“Nathan, save me!” she screamed, crawling toward me on trembling hands.
“Collins, take Sophia out!” I barked, sidestepping her grasp as I ordered him. freёweɓnovel.com
Collins moved instantly, hauling Sophia away but I never loosened my grip on Aria.
That was my mistake.
In a flash, Aria twisted with impossible force, shoving me aside. My balance faltered for half a second. She lunged forward, fisting her hand in Sophia’s hair and yanking her back. The sound of skin striking skin rang out again and again as she slapped her, ruthless and precise.
It happened faster than a heartbeat.
Then the whip came down.
“No—!”
The crack echoed violently as Sophia screamed. Chaos erupted only then...voices shouting, bodies rushing forward to pull them apart.
Sophia’s face was already swelling, it was red and distorted, tears streaking down her cheeks. She looked pitiful and broken.
“Sophia!” Margaret rushed to her side, cradling her as if she might shatter completely, her hands shaking as she examined the damage.
Helen stepped forward, placing herself between Aria and Sophia, fury blazing in her eyes. “Aria! Alpha Nathan already said it wasn’t her! Why did you have to be so cruel?”
Aria didn’t even look at her.
Her eyes were locked on Sophia like a wolf memorizing prey.
“You know better than anyone what the truth is,” she said coldly. “If it happens again, the pain will be ten...no, a hundred times worse.” freewёbnoνel.com
A pounding ache throbbed behind my eyes, sharp enough that even my wolf growled in irritation. Collins, ever sharp-eyed, moved first, stepping in to support Sophia before she could collapse completely.
“Take her to Hemsworth Group Hospital for a full check-up,” I ordered. My voice came out hoarse, edged with authority I didn’t bother to soften. I spared Sophia one brief glance, her swollen face, the tremor in her limbs, before my attention snapped back to Aria. I tightened my hold on her arms, grounding myself in the feel of her pulse beneath my fingers.
“Nathan!” Sophia cried, summoning the last of her strength as she dragged herself forward and collapsed at my feet. She looked up at me, pitiful and desperate. “My sister came to my home and beat me senseless for no reason. You have to stand up for me!”
Only then did I lower my gaze.
“Let Collins take you to the hospital,” I said quietly.
Sophia’s legs shook as she struggled to stand. Collins didn’t hesitate, calling for a stretcher from the nearby hospital. When it arrived, even the doctor flinched at the sight of her injuries and hurried to lift her onto it.
Margaret shot Aria a furious look but followed after Sophia anxiously, Helen also followed close behind. Collins closed the door behind them, sealing the apartment in sudden silence.
Only Aria and I remained.
“Come home with me,” I said again.
She laughed. It was short, sharp and full of mockery. “Home?” she echoed. “Where exactly is home for me and Lana? And shouldn’t Alpha Nathan be seeking justice for Sophia first?”
She tossed the bloodstained whip aside, then crossed her arms over her chest, standing there calm and wronged, like a queen after an execution. My wolf bristled. She looked too composed and too detached.
I took her words as resistance, as another wall that had been set up between us, and opened my mouth to reason with her but she cut me off.
“Where’s Lana?” she asked.
“At Hemsworth Villa,” I replied immediately. “I’ll have the driver take you there.”
For the first time, she didn’t argue.
Without another word, Aria turned and walked out, getting into the car as if the storm she’d unleashed no longer concerned her. I followed, my wolf restless and alert, pacing beneath my skin the entire drive.
We returned to Hemsworth Villa together
Aria’s POV
The moment we arrived at Hemsworth Villa and I pushed the door open, Lana’s laughter chimed through the villa. It was clear and bright, ringing like silver bells against stone. My wolf stiffened instantly.
After everything that had happened, joy without warning was never harmless. I followed the sound, each step light and silent, my instincts flaring.
The living room came into view.
Rowland was there.
He was crouched on the rug, letting Lana tug at his fingers while she laughed, her warm scent wrapping around my heart. Relief surged through me so fast it almost hurt. When Rowland looked up, his eyes met mine, surprise flickering across his face. Nathan stood nearby, but the expression in his eyes ran deep.
“What are you doing here?” Nathan asked Rowland, his voice low.
“Finally got some free time, Uncle Nathan,” Rowland replied easily, standing up with a lazy smile. “Thought I’d visit. But honestly, how could you leave little Lana alone in the villa?”
The way he said it made my ears ring. My wolf caught the undertone immediately. There was more there, but I didn’t have time to dissect it.
I crossed the room in three strides and lifted Lana into my arms. The second she saw me, her bright laughter softened into gentle coos, her tiny hands clutching my clothes as if anchoring herself to me.
Nathan’s irritation flared. “I need to discuss something with your sister-in-law,” he said. “You should leave now.”
