Free Web NovelChapter 363: Chapter 363
Aria’s POV
Kara’s eyes flicked from Rowland to me. Then she finally spoke.
“Sis... uh... you guys—”I caught the sharp hitch in her breath, her scent flaring with embarrassment. She turned around instantly, her hands covering her face.
“I shouldn’t watch, I shouldn’t watch,” she muttered, retreating like she’d stumbled into a mating ritual.
As she fled, she called back, “I know you youngsters have energy, but if you don’t eat soon, the food will get cold!”
The moment she disappeared, my face darkened.
Rowland, on the other hand, burst into laughter, real laughter. It was low and warm, vibrating in his chest. He didn’t stop until the knot finally came loose. When he saw my expression, his laughter only grew louder.
Enough.
“Snip—”
I grabbed a pair of scissors from the wall and cut cleanly through the apron strings.
The sound was crisp and final.
I lifted the scissors, the metal glinting coldly under the kitchen lights. My smile curved, slow and dangerous.
“Next time,” I said sweetly, “if you’re foolish enough to tie a knot like that, it won’t be apron strings I cut.”
The chill in my tone made the air dip several degrees.
Rowland visibly shivered. “There won’t be a next time,” he said quickly.
“Hmph.” I put the scissors away. “Let’s eat.”
He dramatically patted his chest and exhaled, clearly overacting. My footsteps halted instantly.
I shot him a sharp look.
Rowland straightened at once and followed obediently.
As we sat down, Kara rushed over to pull out my chair. “Kara,” I said calmly, “let Lana rest in the cradle for a bit. Come eat.”
She nodded and joined us shortly after.
Rowland, noticeably subdued now, eagerly served me food. “Try this,” he said earnestly. “I learned it from a five-star chef.”
A piece of fish landed in my bowl. It looked tender and glossy with sauce, its aroma rich enough to make my wolf stir.
I glanced up and caught Kara watching us with open curiosity.
Our eyes met.
She blinked innocently and turned away. “I’ll try this one,”she said, focusing on a different dish.
I took a small bite of the fish despite myself. It was good, annoyingly so.
Rowland immediately moved to serve more.
“You eat,” I said quickly.
His hand froze mid-air. He looked at me with unmistakable grievance before slowly pulling back. “Okay...”
I frowned in confusion and shot him a fierce glare. He somehow looked even more pitiful, his shoulders subtly shrinking.
Kara burst out laughing. “Sis, men these days aren’t great with stuff like this.”
She gestured at Rowland. “Someone like him is rare. As an Alpha, I am sure he has never lifted a finger, yet he cooked all this for you. And instead of praising him, you glare at him for offering food.”
Then she turned to Rowland reassuringly. “Aria’s just like this. Be good to her, don’t mind the coldness she is displaying, she is very warm on the inside. Trust me, she appreciates this,” she glanced at me with a smile and added, “I’ll talk to her later.”
Rowland nodded vigorously, his eyes shining with gratitude.
I glanced between the both of them. “I appreciate all he does. I’ll treat him better, I guess.”
With that, I picked up my fork and placed a slice of chili into Rowland’s bowl.
“Here,” I said gently. “Eat.”
My smile was sweet, but my eyes were not.
Rowland froze. His scent shifted instantly, filled with alarm. I wondered what the problem was, could he not handle chili?
I tilted my head. “Is Alpha Rowland unwilling to forgive me?” I asked softly. “Or is he refusing what I offer?”
Smiling tightly, Rowland ate the chili with his rice. “Of course not. It’s nothing.”
I watched him closely, nodding in approval.
Moments later, he rubbed his belly, looking a bit distressed. I was about to ask if everything was alright but before I could, he smile.
“Looks like my cooking isn’t bad,” he said hoarsely.
Kara looked satisfied, seeing peace restored.
My thoughts drifted back to the Darvin and Osborne families. The banter lost its appeal. I sampled each dish out of courtesy, not appetite.
Rowland, usually efficient, ate slowly now.
When I finished, I set my bowl down. His cheeks were faintly flushed.
“What’s wrong with you?” I asked.
He looked up at me, smiling stiffly. “I’m fine. Just savoring my cooking.”
I studied him carefully. His smile curved just right, there were no obvious cracks.
“Take your time,” I said.
I stood and glanced at the table. “It was delicious.”
Rowland’s smile widened.
An hour later, twilight stained the sky.
I stepped out of the study to find the dining area spotless.
“Where’s Rowland?” I asked, frowning.
I’d meant to review Collins’s folder thoroughly, but my eyes kept drifting back to the same spot on the page, my thoughts betraying me, replaying Rowland’s foxlike smile.
Kara looked up from mopping. “He left right after you went to the study.”
I paused. “I see.”
Still restless, I turned toward the cradle to check on Lana, my wolf finally settling as I watched her sleep.
Night swallowed the sky early, heavy storm clouds pressing low, like the world itself was holding its breath. The sound of thunder startled Lana.
Her scent filled my senses as I carried her and cradled her against my chest. My wolf purred quietly, soothed by the steady rhythm of her tiny heartbeat. I rocked her gently until her breathing evened out, her lashes resting against chubby cheeks.
Only when she was fully asleep did I lay her in the cradle again.
The moment my arms were empty, the calm shattered.
I began pacing the living room, my bare feet silent against the floor, but inside me my wolf was restless. My eyes drifted to the dining table and Rowland’s face from dinner flashed in my mind.
His lips were pale, drained of color. He also wore a tight smile.
At the time, I thought he was just tired. Now my chest felt tight. Something wasn’t right.
I grabbed my phone and texted him.
Are you asleep?
I stared at the screen, my ears straining instinctively for a reply tone that never came. Ten minutes later, there was still no response.
That wasn’t Rowland. Even while in the shower, he sent teasing voice notes. Even half-dead from work, he replied.
My wolf rose inside me, alert. freeweɓnovel.cѳm
I called. It rang...Once, twice, three times.
Finally, someone answered but it wasn’t Rowland.
