Free Web NovelChapter 265: Chapter 265
Aria’s POV
Kara, Amelia, and I left the Darvin family house like warriors broken from war but still standing tal
In the car, the silence pressed against me. I clutched the tin box so tightly my knuckles ached.
The box was old and ugly, like something forgotten in an attic.
My claws slid out just enough to crack the rusted lid. I saw some clothes inside and beneath them was a single yellowed page.
It was music notes to a song I’d never seen.
My wolf paced beneath my skin, claws tapping at the inside of my ribs. Even after all these years, I remembered Grandma’s scent. It clung to the paper faintly, like a memory refusing to die.
I stared down at the sheet music, the faded ink, the delicate strokes.
My eyes widened as realization dawned. “Is this really Antigonus’s Symphony of Prosperity?” I murmured out loud.
Amelia leaned over, her brows knitting. “Are you sure?”
My heart skipped. I passed it to her with both hands, careful like it was made of spun moonlight. freewebnøvel.com
Her fingers brushed the page, and my wolf perked up, watching. Amelia mouthed the silent rhythm, her eyes tracing the notation with reverence.
Then excitement flooded her scent.
“This is Antigonus,” she breathed. “The Symphony of Prosperity. Without a doubt.”
I exhaled, my breath shaky.
“But...” Amelia’s tone shifted. It was heavy and grounded. “Whether it’s an original manuscript, I can’t say.”
She looked up, her eyes gleaming like polished steel.
“Antigonus was a legend. A maestro the world bowed to. Even a scrap of his handwriting is priceless. But his symphony?” She shook her head, awed. “If this is real, it’s worth more than anything the Darvin family could ever dream of.”
I tucked the sheet back into the tin, as gently as a mother wolf placing her pup back in the den.
“Authenticating it won’t be easy,” Amelia warned. “There are barely any experts left.”
I nodded. “Even if it’s just a keepsake... it’s mine.”
My wolf pressed proudly against my chest.
My grandmother left this for us. She left us a ton of fortune, everything she had.
“Thank you, Amelia,” I whispered.
“For standing by me and for believing me.”
She smiled. “Always.”
For a moment, the car felt warm and safe.
Then Kara snorted from the front seat. “Too bad you didn’t let me smack him.”
She cracked her knuckles for emphasis. I instantly pictured Patrick’s face. It was red, shaking with fury, dangling like prey in a wolf’s jaw. A dark, delicious satisfaction unfurled inside me.
“What could be more perfect,” I murmured, my eyes gleaming, “than shattering the pride of a man who worships his reputation?”
Kara pumped her fist, grinning.
Light and bubbling laughter spilled between us.
Nathan’s POV
My wolf paced behind my ribs like a caged storm, restless, snarling at every shadow in my mind.
The bar reeked of alcohol and scents of wolves. Even though I’d rented out the entire second floor, their scent clung to the walls like stale memories. I sat alone, drink after drink burning down my throat, trying to drown instincts that refused to die.
“Aria,” I muttered, fingers trembling against the glass. Just thinking her name sent my wolf into a tailspin of anger and longing. None of it made sense anymore.
Footsteps approached.
I smelled him before I heard him.
Rowland.
Collins must’ve sent him to try and stop me from drinking. My beta never knew when to back off.
Rowland approached, his brows raised. “Feeling so down you’re ignoring even your most important work, Uncle Nathan?”
I lifted my gaze. His silhouette blurred for a moment...damn alcohol. I could feel the beast in me pushing for control, my vision sharpening unnaturally.
“What are you doing here?” I growled. My voice sounded wrong, deeper, edged with something feral.
“I was told you had a major project today with your business associate. I tried calling you like crazy,” Rowland shrugged, sitting opposite me. “I didn’t expect to find you here.”
I wanted him gone. The presence of another alpha wolf only ignited my irritation.
“Aren’t you leaving?” I snapped.
“Nope. I’ve been sent. You need to attend your meeting Uncle Nathan.”
Perfect. He was here to babysit me like I was a pup.
When I finally called Collins and learned about the meeting I’d apparently postponed three times, I had no excuse left. I felt ashamed. I stood, my chair scraping the floor. My reflection in a nearby mirror showed my eyes, they were glowing faintly amber. My wolf was threatening to surface.
I needed to pull myself together.
Outside, the sky hung heavy and gray, like the world reflected the storm inside me. I lit a cigarette, inhaling deep. Smoke tangled with my breath, carrying the faintest hint of growl.
Collins rushed over. “Alpha Nathan.”
“We’re not late, are we?” My voice came out cold and clipped.
He glanced at his wristwatch, “We are almost late”.
“Let’s go. Directly.” I ordered.
We left and soon arrived at our destination. The nightclub loomed ahead. Neon lights, pulsing music. Wolf scents were so thick I could taste them on my tongue. My senses screamed.
Inside the private room, voices fell silent. Three alpha brothers were seated, surrounded by friends . It was the eldest alpha’s birthday. He was my agemate and childhood friend. He had repeatedly invited me for outings and I always declined due to work. Today happens to be his birthday and the day we sign a business proposal.
Their heads bowed, instinctively acknowledging my presence as I entered.
“Alpha Nathan, we thought you might skip out again,” the younger Alpha joked, handing me a drink.
I downed it in a single gulp though alcohol barely affected my enhanced metabolism anymore. Still, if I drank enough, maybe I’d feel something.
When we were done discussing business, the eldest Alpha asked.
“What’s going on with you? You do not seem like your usual self.” ƒreewebηoveℓ.com
“Nothing, I am fine.” I replied coldly, pouring myself a glass and swirling it.
“Is it about Sophia Darvin?” he pressed with a bemused look on his face.
