Free Web NovelChapter 310: Chapter 310
Aria’s POV
"Yes,I am", Nathan nodded, his eyes never leaving mine. "I’ve reserved a private room where we can have a discussion about this."
My hand tightened around the edge of the table. A private room? My wolf bristled. I would be in a confined space with an Alpha like Nathan? No thank you. I didn’t want that.
He had already handed me the Darvin Group shares which was a bit too much. Like he was carving off pieces of his empire and laying them at my feet, begging. My wolf hated pity, hated what it did to her.
"Everyone’s welcome," Nathan added.
I blinked. Everyone?
Not just me?
I had expected... leverage, conditions. His usual ruthless control. My wolf had prepared to bare her teeth, to refuse being cornered. But instead, he opened the invitation like a door instead of a cage.
My surprise must’ve shown, because I looked down, closing my expression before he could read more. My wolf paced quietly within me, confused. The silence among us felt like agreement.
"Follow me," Nathan said.
We trailed behind him. The restaurant had a tucked-away spiral staircase leading to the second floor where private rooms were located.
Nathan pushed open a door. The scent of sandalwood washed over us. It wrapped around me like ghost arms before I shoveled the thought away.
We took our seats.
"This is a recording Rowland left before he left," Nathan said, placing a device on the table. His scent drifted closer to me for a second before he stepped back.
The recording began. Voices crackled. A crematorium worker. He spoke with fear and regret when he was questioned. My wolf growled low under my ribs, hackles rising at the sound of a man being cornered.
"Was Patrick threatening their families?" I asked, my voice tight. My claws pressed against my fingertips.
"We are not sure," Nathan said, shaking his head. "But it’s highly likely."
Amelia’s eyes sharpened. "Alpha Nathan, by sharing this recording, you intend to...?"
"Rowland left it for me. He thought it might help you." Nathan explained.
My gaze lingered on the recording device. Did this have anything to do with why Rowland left?. My emotions twisted like thorns. He had mentioned Nathan owed him.a favor which I had doubted.
Nathan must have asked him to leave. The idea of a deal between him and Nathan made my wolf want to bare her teeth.
Nathan continued, "The doctors and the nurse should be easy to investigate. They were likely motivated by self-interest. They probably know nothing of value. The nurse might not have even uncovered the sheet over ‘Clarence.’"
His dark, assessing eyes met mine.
I forced myself to nod. "I agree."
He tapped the recording device, thoughtful. "I’m not certain Clarence is still in Asterfell. If she’s already left the country... even I may not be able to help."
Fear slicked cold down my spine. My wolf snarled within me, pacing.
"The crematorium worker is your strongest lead. And given your fight with the media, time is not your ally."
He was right. Damn him.
"And proving Patrick threatened him could clear Aria’s name," Amelia added. "And crush him publicly."
"So...what do we do? I inquired, my eyes meeting Nathan’s.
"You might need to go to Duckspire personally," he said.
"Duckspire?" My brows knit. It was a country far from Asterfell.
Nathan nodded. "It’s underdeveloped. My influence there is limited. But the Osborne family, your mother’s family, dominates there."
He was right about that. My grandmother’s family, the Osborne family from lives there. I swallowed, bile rising in my throat. "But I cut ties with the Osborne family, I won’t crawl back."
"News moves slowly there," he said softly. "Names still hold power. Especially your grandmother’s."
My grandmother’s image from the last time I saw her before her demise, flashed in my mind.
Nathan’s voice softened in a way that made my wolf flinch. "Consider it. If you refuse, I’ll search for Clarence myself. And I’ll pressure the media for more time."
He said it like a vow, not a bargain.
I stared at the table. "I need time to think."
He stood to his feet, he didn’t push.
"The decision is yours," he said. "The room is reserved for the day. Enjoy your meal."
Then he left, just like that. No dramatic exit. No flash of dominance. The door clicked shut.
My wolf exhaled shakily.
"Wow," Chloe murmured, breaking the silence. "That Alpha is certainly relentless."
Amelia knows Chloe too well and would usually let her run wild. But now she shot her a pointed look and nudged her arm, silently telling her to zip it. Chloe’s shoulders slumped, and she leaned into her seat, flipping open the menu with exaggerated resignation.
Then, like a spark re-lighting, she popped to her feet, her energy flaring again. "Server!" she called, waving her hand with all the subtlety of a wolf howling at dawn.
Her voice trailed as she slips out the door, only to poke her head back in a heartbeat later. "What do you guys want to eat?"
"Anything’s fine. You decide," Alpha Jonathan answered with his gentlemanly smile.
Chloe nodded, "Oh!" and disappears again.
"Williams, go with Miss Chloe," Jonathan suggested, his eyes narrowing at his brother.
Williams’ reaction was instant. He shook his head violently like a pup refusing a bath. I almost laughed. But Jonathan’s stare sharpened, and Williams caved. He dragged himself up, grumbling, following after Chloe like he’s being led to the slaughter. Poor guy. Chloe is... a force.
They left and the door shut. Now it was just the three of us. freēwebnovel.com
My wolf perked up, sensing the shift in the air.
"Duckspire," Jonathan said gently, turning to me. "Do you want to go? I can accompany you."
