Free Web NovelChapter 361: Chapter 361
Nathan’s POV
"I heard the Osborne family is in the city," I said, my gaze sliding briefly toward Rowland. Aria frowned in response.
"Yes," she answered, picking up the file she’d brought with her. "They are." She added coolly, "If there’s nothing else, I’ll be leaving now."
The slight flick of her hand shouldn’t have mattered, but it did.
My attention snapped to it instantly, my wolf stirring beneath my skin as my gaze locked onto Aria’s wrist, narrowing as I caught sight of the translucent bracelet resting there. It was the moonlit crystal threaded with an ancient pattern I knew far too well.
That can’t be... the Osborne family heirloom, only ever worn by their heir. ƒrēewebnovel.com
The world around me dulled as my expression remained calm, but beneath the surface, my wolf surged like a tide smashing against stone.
"Did the Osborne family say anything to you?" I asked, my voice tighter than I intended. "Are they asking you to return?" The urgency slipped out before I could stop it.
Aria paused, frowning, clearly caught off guard as I watched her eyes drop to her wrist, following the direction of my stare. Her fingers brushed the bracelet, slow and unconscious, as if she were testing its weight.
I could smell her confusion, it was clean, sharp, threaded with unease.
Rowland’s presence flared beside her before she could answer. "Uncle Nathan," he drawled, slinging an arm over Aria’s shoulder with ease, "you’re divorced. These questions cross a line."
His grin was playful, but his eyes were sharp and challenging. My wolf bristled at the contact, a low warning growl rolling in my chest that I forced down. Aria felt it too, evident in the way her shoulders stiffened.
"Let’s go," she said firmly, shooting Rowland a warning look as she pulled him along. I rose instinctively, wanting to say something to make her stay, one word, one excuse, but their fingers were intertwined.
The sight struck deeper than claws, the truth settling in with brutal clarity. I no longer had the right. I stood there as they walked away, my wolf pacing restlessly inside me.
Collins cleared his throat beside me and said carefully, "Alpha, is that bracelet... significant?"
I lowered my gaze, my lashes shadowing my eyes as silence stretched while I weighed the words. "Yes," I finally said. "It’s the Osborne family heirloom, only given to their heir."
If Aria was their chosen heir, she wouldn’t stay in Asterfell, she’d go to Veridale, far beyond my territory, beyond my reach. And knowing her... once she left, she might never come back. Even if I followed, I’d have no claim, no bond, no excuse.
Collins’s scent shifted with dawning realization. "Ms. Aria is still focused on avenging the Darvin family and Clarence," he said gently. "She won’t leave Asterfell just yet."
My fingers curled slowly into my palm as my wolf murmured, Time, you still have time.
"Have they recovered the company’s deleted surveillance footage from last year?" I asked, forcing my voice back into its usual steel edge as I began walking again.
"The system was tampered with," Collins replied, straightening, "but the specialists are working on it. It should be fully restored in a few days."
"Make it quick." I didn’t slow my pace.
"And the man?" I asked. "The one she brought back from Duckspire."
Collins hesitated before responding, "He appears to be an alpha from a pack in Veridale and also a renowned pianist. His name is Logan Smith."
I stopped abruptly. "A pianist?". I knew he was an alpha, I sensed it from his energy when I met him. But a pianist?...I would never have guessed that.
"Yes, and his grandfather had a close relationship with Aria’s grandmother."
"Since he’s in Asterfell," I said coldly, "monitor him." Too many alpha wolves were circling Aria now, too many eyes on what was mine once.
My pace quickened, anger simmering just beneath control as Collins hurried to keep up, clearly sensing the shift in my mood.
Aria’s POV
Chloe’s call came just as Lana shifted restlessly in my arms. I adjusted my hold and lifted the spoon again, carefully feeding her warm porridge.
"Aria," Chloe said, barely containing her excitement, "we followed Maria and got an unexpected bonus."
My lips curved faintly since I’d already expected as much. "An unexpected bonus?" I asked calmly, wiping a small smear from Lana’s chin. "You found Sophia?"
There was a sharp intake of breath on the other end of the line before Chloe exclaimed, "How did you know?!"
A soft chuckle slipped from me as I could picture Chloe’s wide-eyed expression even through the phone.
I already knew Sophia was in the hospital and my source mentioned she wasn’t in Hemsworth hospital. I just knew there was one other place she could be.
"We saw Margaret visiting her," Chloe said. I wasn’t surprised at all.
“I expected as much,” I replied.
Silence fell before Chloe hissed, "That woman..." but Amelia’s low laugh cut in before Chloe could spiral.
Amelia took the phone and stated evenly, "Sophia’s in room eight, fifth floor, inpatient department of Asterfell General Hospital." She paused, then added, "Maria’s son is in room forty-five on the seventh floor."
I set the bowl aside and used a napkin to clean Lana’s mouth, my thoughts already aligning like pieces on a board.
"Anything else?" I asked.
