Free Web NovelChapter 257: Chapter 257
Aria’s POV
“He is Nathan’s nephew, Alpha Rowland,” I answered, handing Lana to Kara before going to make their tea.
Rowland scowled instantly. “An old friend of Aria’s,” he corrected coolly. “Let’s not complicate things.”
My lips twitched.
Jonathan inclined his head politely. “Well, I am Jonathan Anderson, Alpha of the Moonshadow Pack.”
Rowland ignored the offered civility. He stood abruptly, the movement sudden enough to make my wolf tense.
“I’m going to check out your bedroom,” he announced, already turning away.
Jonathan’s expression finally cracked. His brows drew together. “Alpha Rowland,” he said carefully, “It is not appropraite for you to go into Luna Aria’s room.”
He replied casually. “Relax. I’ll be quick.”
Just before Rowland could put more distance between himself and the sofa, I reached out and placed my hand on his shoulder.
He froze.
“Have some tea first,” I said calmly.
I set a cup of jasmine tea in front of Rowland, then placed another before Jonathan. The floral steam curled upward, soothing, meant to ground rather than provoke.
“The place is simple,” I added evenly. “Nothing fancy, but it will do.”
Jonathan inclined his head graciously. “Thank you. I appreciate it.”
Rowland let out a soft snort.
Despite his age, Rowland wasn’t foolish. The moment he’d locked eyes with Jonathan, he’d known he was a threat to him. Wolves didn’t need words to recognize opposition. Still, because I had brewed the tea myself, Rowland lifted the cup and took a generous sip.
His shoulders loosened a fraction.
“Good tea,” Jonathan said lightly, taking a sip as well, looking perfectly composed.
Rowland rolled his eyes, though he kept drinking.
I smiled politely, then turned to Rowland, who was now pulling exaggerated faces at me like a sulky pup testing boundaries.
“I invited you over for tea, Rowland” I said. “Once you’re done, you should head out.”
The words landed like a sudden snap of teeth.
Rowland’s expression froze, then cracked.
“What about him?” he demanded, glaring at Jonathan with open resentment. “Is he leaving?”
Jonathan continued sipping his tea, unbothered, as if Rowland were no more than a gust of wind brushing past him.
I shook my head. “Alpha Jonathan is here to visit me. I have no reason to make him leave.”
“Then why are you making me leave?” Rowland’s voice rose, sharp with grievance, his wolf pressing against the surface.
I met his gaze, unmoved.
“Are you going to leave on your own,” I asked coolly, “or should I have Kara escort you out?”
That did it.
His posture collapsed instantly, dominance draining out of him like air from a punctured lung.
“No way!” he protested. “If I leave, it’ll just be the two of you and I can’t have that!”
My brow lifted.
Before I could respond, a small voice piped up from the corner.
“Um... Alpha Rowland,” Kara said timidly, raising her hand. “I’m still here too...”
Rowland’s face darkened.
I crossed my arms. “So now you’re suggesting I should leave too?”
Kara swallowed and kept quiet.
“Better safe than sorry,” Rowland muttered stubbornly. “You shouldn’t let him stay too long.”
Jonathan merely smiled over the rim of his cup, he was silent and unreadable.
I stared at Rowland, wondering for the hundredth time—what kind of upbringing Nathan’s family had subjected him to. Nature, nurture, or just sheer audacity?
One sharp look from me was all it took.
Rowland fell silent.
With obvious reluctance, he stood and opened the door and left. The moment the door shut behind him, the tension snapped and dissipated, like a storm finally passing.
The house exhaled.
I casually took Rowland’s former seat.
Jonathan noticed.
His gaze lingered, darkening slightly before he looked away, pretending indifference, though I knew better.
“I’m here not just to check on you,” Jonathan said finally, setting his cup down.
“Here’s the latest project proposal from Celestyr. Take a look.”
Jonathan’s voice was calm as he reached into his briefcase and slid the document across the table.
The moment he mentioned work, my focus snapped into place.
My wolf, who had been lounging lazily beneath the surface, lifted her head, alert and attentive. I straightened instinctively, leaning closer as I opened the file before me.
“The lawsuit with Francis will be resolved in the next few days,” I said, my eyes scanning the pages quickly. “Celestyr brand took a hit because of it. I’m... sorry about the trouble I caused.”
My fingers continued flipping through the document even as I spoke.
Jonathan shook his head, composed as ever. “Some things take time to reveal their true effect. Yes, there was damage at first. But public sentiment has changed. Customers felt guilty after the truth came out. They’ve been buying Celestyr products in support.”
He paused, allowing the weight of the next words to settle.
“Our sales have reached a ten-year high. Higher even than when you first debuted your designs with us.”
For a moment, my chest tightened.
Memory washed over me.
Back then, I hadn’t intended to stay. I’d only planned to invest—dip my claws into the water and see how deep it ran. I’d walked into Celestyr carrying nothing but rough sketches and instinct. Somehow, the then–master designer had seen something in me. A recommendation to headquarters followed.
I hadn’t failed.
I’d become Celestyr’s golden signature.
I could still remember my first launch, the way the internet exploded overnight. Actors wearing my designs while giving speeches. Celebrities sweeping across red carpets in my gowns, cameras flashing like strobe lights under a full moon. My name, Seline was everywhere.
It had felt like a hunt completed.
“Both the board and I hope you’ll strike while the iron is hot,” Jonathan continued. “We are hoping to get another collection from you soon.”
I nodded slowly.
He was right. The timing was flawless. Momentum like this didn’t wait and neither did wolves when the prey was within reach.
I closed the file decisively.
“Of course.”
Jonathan smiled, thanking me on behalf of Celestyr. We spent the next hour discussing timelines, concepts, and scope. The conversation flowed easily. freewёbnoνel.com
By the time we were done and I walked him to the door, the sky outside had darkened, the moon hidden behind clouds.
After he left, I turned back inside, Kara emerged from the hallway with Lana in her arms.
She was feeling sleepy, her cheeks flushed, her eyes half-lidded as she rubbed them lazily. My heart softened instantly. Even my wolf quieted at the sight.
“Luna Aria,” Kara said hesitantly, watching the closed door, “I don’t mean to pry, but what is your relationship with those two Alphas?”
