Free Web NovelChapter 358: Chapter 358
Aria’s POV
I was divorced, I was also a mother.
And yet my skin reacted instinctively, my wolf bristled in alarm at how aware I suddenly was.
Rowland’s gaze darkened as he felt my face.
I saw the shift in his pupils, the tightening focus of a wolf that had wandered too close.
I pressed my palm flat against his chest and shoved him back.
“I’m fine.”
He let out a low, amused chuckle, his eyes dropping briefly to my hand before he leaned back, surrendering the space.
“Alright.”
The word rose at the end, lazy and dangerous.
I rubbed my forehead, my eyebrow twitching.
He’d meant to distract me and it worked but Amelia and Chloe’s words still echoed in my mind.
“Should I really not be focusing all my energy on revenge against the Darvin family and Clarence?” I asked quietly.
Rowland frowned. “Is that what they talked to you about?”
I didn’t respond but he already knew the answer.
“Maybe they’re right,” he said after a moment. “At least... I’d prefer if you spared some attention for me during your packed schedule.”
I stared at him, annoyed and a bit embarrassed.
“I’m being serious.”
“So am I.”
He nodded, then quickly softened when he saw how stiff I’d become. “You just got back from Duckspire and jumped straight into dealing with the Darvin family. You’ve been running nonstop.”
His gaze held mine steadily.
“We can settle old scores. But Aria... you’ve already stepped into a new life. Don’t keep drowning in old pain.”
The irony hit me.
He was younger than me, yet here he was, speaking like a steady Alpha calming a restless wolf.
I cleared my throat. “It’s in the past. I’ll take their advice. I’ll leave early and spend time with Lana.”
I stood and reached for my purse.
Rowland was faster.
“I’ll drive you.”
Before I could object, his hand closed around mine, warm and firm, and he was already leading me toward the door.
I stopped resisting halfway down the corridor.
My gaze dropped to our intertwined hands.
No matter how much I protested behind him, he didn’t slow down, his stride was confident, his smile bold.
We practically ran to the underground garage.
He stopped beside his car.
I was breathing hard now, my chest tight. I shot him a sharp look and stomped on his shoe.
The limited-edition leather darkened instantly.
“Ow.”
He didn’t flinch, didn’t get angry. He just smiled like he’d gladly let me do it again. That only made it harder to stay upset.
I turned away quickly and opened the back door, sliding into the rear seat.
“Poor passenger seat,” Rowland lamented dramatically. “So lonely.”
He climbed into the driver’s seat.
“Hurry up,” I said. “Lana will wake up soon.”
“Yes, Ms. Darvin,” he replied, indulgent and amused, turning the wheel. free𝑤ebnovel.com
Sunlight flooded in as we exited the garage.
My phone vibrated.
> I’ve arranged dinner with the person who reported Clarence by 4 PM. Want to join
It was Nathan.
My eyes narrowed. I checked the time. It was 3:20 PM.
Rowland caught the shift in my expression through the rearview mirror. “What is it?”
“It’s Nathan,” I said honestly, hesitating as I typed and erased my reply. We stopped at a red light.
“Uncle Nathan?” he asked. “Is there news about the report?”
“Yes.” I lifted my gaze. “We’re not going home. Take me to the restaurant.”
After a brief pause, I sent the message.
> Okay. I’ll be there.
Rowland’s grip tightened on the steering wheel.
I could tell from his expression that jealousy surged hot and sudden within him. I paid no attention to him.
He stared at me through the mirror, irritation coiling tight.
“Beep—beep!”
The honk from behind snapped him back. The light had turned green. He drove off without a word, turning toward the quieter outskirts instead.
“I sent you the location,” I said to Rowland.
There was no response.
I locked gaze with him in the rearview mirror, his eyes were melancholy and storm-dark.
He looked away immediately.
Nathan’s POV
I had come to Aria’s office to meet her and was about to head to her office when I sensed Rowland’s scent in there.
They said something about leaving and shortly after the door swung open. I hid carefully at a corner, not wanting to be seen. I had masked my scent as usual, therefore they could not my presence.
I have been doing that a lot these days. I arrived the garage in time and watched as Rowland’s car disappear from my sight.
I lit a cigarette and took a long snag. My gaze was locked on the direction Aria and Rowland had gone.
My wolf stirred within me, hackles rising, instinct screaming possession. The faint trace of Aria’s scent still lingered in the air. It was warm and intoxicating. It twisted something savage inside my chest.
I pulled out my phone and sent Aria a message. Then I waited. A few minutes later, the screen lit up. I had gotten a response from her. freeweɓnovel.cѳm
The cigarette burned between my fingers, heat kissing my knuckles, but I barely felt it.
I tossed the cigarette to the floor, crushed it and made a call.
“Collins,” I said, my voice low, cold and edged with command. “Bring her over to the restaurant.”
There was no need to explain who her was, he already knew.
“Yes, Alpha,” Collins replied without hesitation. “We’ll wait for you at the parking lot of the restaurant.”
“Mm.”
I ended the call and walked toward my car.
The black Maybach sat quietly in the corner. Soon, the headlights flicked on.
For a brief second, the sharp white light cut through the shadows, illuminating the garage like moonlight through forest trees.
The engine purred as I slid inside with one destination in mind.
