Free Web NovelChapter 266: Chapter 266
Nathan’s POV
At his words, my wolf bristled. Fur and fury scraping against my skin.
“Shut up,” I growled, my voice dropping to that dangerous timbre that made wolves whimper.
“You’re annoying me.”
There was absolute silence at my words. Then they continued their revelry, every one engrossed in their drink. I rubbed my temple, the lively chatter was becoming increasingly grating.
"Come on in," someone cheered, as a group of stunning women entered the room. I pursed my lips; they were about to get rowdy.
Sure enough, as my thoughts concluded, the alphas each picked a woman, pulling them close for drinks.
The women’s attention slid over me, hesitant, reverent but none of it stirred my interest.
“Hey you...come here,” one drunk man slurred, grabbing a waitress by the arm.
She trembled. The scent of her fear hit me like a blow. My wolf snarled, demanding that I protect her.
“I...I refuse!” she cried, stomping his foot. freeweɓnovel.cøm
He raised his hand and was about to hit her.
My body moved before I thought. One second I was sitting, the next I was on my feet between them, the waitress and the alpha’s friend, my grip iron around his wrist.
“You’re too loud,” I said, my tone lethal. My eyes glowing bright enough for everyone to notice.
He paled instantly. “Alpha Nathan...”
The eldest alpha rushed to help the girl. I barely heard him as he admonished the man and sent him out.
When he was done, we went back to our seats.
“What’s with you today, Nathan? You seem to be in a really bad mood?” his tone was filled with concern.
Bad mood?.
If only it were that simple.
I pinched the bridge of my nose. The alcohol barely numbed anything. All it did was muddle my thoughts, blur the room’s edges. My wolf prowled inside my chest, restless and annoyed.
“No, I am fine.” I muttered.
Silence swallowed us. Then, without warning, like claws ripping from within, I said it:
“Aria moved out of Hemsworth Villa.”
The room froze.
So did I. My heart gave a violent lurch.
“So what?” someone scoffed. “You never liked her anyway.”
A low growl vibrated behind my teeth before I even realized I’d made a sound.
“I didn’t.” The denial tore out of me. Too fast and raw.
Then there was silence. Everyone glanced at me briefly as awkward silence filled the room.
My grip on the glass tightened; it cracked in my hand. I forced myself to look away, my shoulders stiffening as I stood and moved toward the darkest corner.
Why did I say that?
Why does her name taste like iron and loss on my tongue? Why does my wolf claw at my insides every time someone mentions her?
The party soon dulled after that. Music became low and voices, careful. Even the waitresses attempted to disappear into the walls. I sat in shadow, trying to tame the beast pacing inside me.
By the time people trickled out, I was done. I stood, ready to leave when a waitress walked up to me.
“...Alpha Nathan,” she whispered.
I looked at her, my jaw tight. She flinched and I started walking away.
“Alpha Nathan!” she called again.
The shout scraped against my nerves like claws. The birthday boy stumbled to intervene.
But then...she spoke.
“How is Luna Aria?”
I froze, like a predator locking onto prey.
I turned slowly. My wolf rose behind my eyes, my vision sharpening, amber bleeding into view.
“What did you just say?” My voice was ice.
She swallowed hard, but stepped closer. She was either foolish or brave.
“I... I worked under Alpha Richard in the confidential department. Luna Aria was always kind to me. Then I was forced to resign from Hemsworth Group. I heard she was imprisoned. I just... wanted to know if she’s okay.”
Those words rattled something loose inside me.
“She’s fine,” I managed.
Relief softened the waitress’s features.
A year ago...Confidential department...forced to resign.
Her words tugged restlessly at my heart like puzzle fragments clicking into place.
I asked, my voice sharp as claws, “Why were you forced to resign? With Collins, no one leaves without good reason.”
She stiffened and turned pale. “Alpha Nathan... I can’t say.”
Then she bolted, the door slamming behind her.
My wolf snarled within me, wanting answers.
I had sent Collins to Hemsworth group earlier to work on some documents so I decided to drive myself home to Hemsworth Villa.
Halfway there, a thought slammed into me.
I jerked the wheel, tires screaming. I turned the car around and headed straight to the company.
I soon arrived Hemsworth group. Collins nearly collided with me at the entrance.
“A year ago...” My voice was a growl.
“a female employee resigned from the confidential department. Why?”
He blinked, thrown by the sheer force of my tone. “She submitted a resignation... Sophia gave me the letter.”
Sophia?. My pulse spiked. My wolf lunged forward.
“Bring me the report. Now.”
Collins didn’t argue. He rushed off to do as I commanded.
I stood still, my breath shallow, the fluorescent lights hum drilling into my skull.
Sophia shouldn’t have had access. She had only recently moved up to a senior position and shouldn’t have known Collins’s staff. Why did she handle the resignation?
My wolf went silent like a predator right before the kill.
If what I suspected was true...If anyone had set Aria up...If I’d been wrong about her this whole time...
My claws ached under my skin.
I headed for the archives, and took the dossier Peter had given me.
Something was wrong, terribly, horribly wrong.
And I was going to tear the truth out with my own teeth if I had to.
