Free Web NovelChapter 330: Chapter 330
Aria’s POV
"Alpha Jonathan?" I said as I got closer. It was him.
Amelia snapped fully awake the second she heard me mention his name. The noise we’d made wasn’t exactly subtle, and sure enough, it caused Jonathan to stir. He shielded his eyes from the sudden light, blinking as he adjusted.
When his gaze finally focused on me, Jonathan sat up straight, a flicker of embarrassment crossing his face.
"You’re back?"
"Yes," I replied, then frowned slightly. "But what are you doing here?"
I helped Amelia sit down first before turning back to him. Jonathan didn’t answer right away. Instead, his eyes drifted toward Logan.
"You..."
"Hm?" Logan responded lightly.
Jonathan rarely looked unsettled. I followed his line of sight just in time to see him turn back to me, smoothing his expression into a gentle smile.
"And who is this?"
"He is a world renowned pianist, Alpha Logan from the Stoneridge pack in Veridale," Amelia said with a teasing grin. She was now fully awake.
Logan smiled at Amelia.
"You know me a bit too well."
But his gaze sharpened almost imperceptibly as it met Jonathan’s.
"I see..." Jonathan pressed his lips together and looked away.
"You don’t know him?You are from Veridale too."Amelia pressed, surprised.
"Well, Veridale is a big country with so many packs. I sure have heard of the Stoneridge pack but have never seen him". Jonathan looked Logan up and down.
"That’s fine. I hardly stay at Veridale anyway. My career takes me to different parts of the world". He smiled.
"That makes sense," Amelia said, nudging Logan.
Jonathan rose to his feet and turned his gaze on me. "I’ve had some free time lately. Being alone was boring. Since you weren’t home, I came by to keep Lana company."
"That’s very thoughtful of you," I said, nodding. I didn’t push further. Instead, I stood and gestured toward the hallway. "Let’s sort out the rooms. Just to make do for tonight."
"I’ll take this one," Logan said immediately, pointing to the room closest to mine.
"No way. I’m staying there," Amelia cut in at once, her guard up.
Even if he was her idol, the way his eyes kept drifting toward me set off every warning bell in her head. Stranger or not, she wasn’t about to let her friend sleep too close to a lone wolf with unclear intentions.
Logan caught on and didn’t argue. He pointed to the second room instead.
"Then this one." ƒгeewebnovёl.com
I turned to Jonathan. "Is the last room okay for you?"
With the other two choosing first, he had no real alternative.
"Of course," he smiled easily. "It beats sleeping on the couch."
Being around Jonathan always had that calming effect. His presence puts everyone at ease.
"Alright," I said. "Get washed up and rest."
After tidying the living room briefly, I headed back to my bedroom.
I opened the door quietly.
The room was hushed, filled only with soft, steady breathing. Lana slept peacefully in her crib, her tiny chest rising and falling. Beside her, Kara had laid out a simple bed on the floor, curled up protectively like a watchful pack member guarding the pup.
My eyes softened.
I knelt and gently patted Kara’s shoulder. She stirred and blinked awake, her face lighting up when she saw me.
"You’re back!"
I nodded, smiling, and coaxed her to return to her own room to rest. While I was gone, she must’ve worked herself to exhaustion caring for Lana.
Kara didn’t argue. She slipped out quietly, closing the door behind her.
The room belonged to just me and Lana now.
The curtains were half-drawn, moonlight spilling in and bathing Lana’s sleeping face in silver. Her cheeks were chubby, peaceful and warm.
My wolf settled instantly.
All the tension I’d been carrying loosened at once, as if something deep inside me had finally been filled. I leaned down and pressed a soft kiss to Lana’s forehead, breathing in her familiar scent.
Only then did I drag my exhausted body to bed.
Nathan’s POV
I drove through the night, my wolf urging me faster with every mile. By the time dawn threatened the horizon, I had already crossed half the city. I slowed only once at the fork between Hemsworth Villa and the Hemsworth Group.
For a brief moment, my hand tightened on the steering wheel.
Hemsworth Villa.
The house where Aria’s scent used to cling to the sheets. Right now, without her... it was nothing more than an empty den.
I turned the wheel toward the company instead.
The Hemsworth Group’s building loomed ahead, all steel and glass. As I parked, my wolf stirred uneasily beneath my skin. freewebnoveℓ.com
Someone was there.
I hadn’t seen him yet, but I smelled him. His scent was mixed with stale alcohol, bitterness, and hatred.
My boots echoed against the pavement as I approached the entrance, and the dark figure crouched near the doors slowly straightened.
Moonlight spilled across his face.
"Richard?"
I stopped short, my muscles locking as my wolf raised its head inside me, hackles lifting. My eyes narrowed, tracking every subtle movement he made.
He swayed slightly, clearly drunk, but his aura was anything but weak. His scent was chaotic, emotions leaking out of him unchecked.
Richard lifted his head, his eyes hazy and unfocused, I saw it.
Hatred, spreading like rot within them.
"What are you doing here?" I asked, my voice low, controlled.
