Free Web NovelChapter 371: Chapter 371
Aria’s POV
I was at home when my phone vibrated in my hand, and the name on the screen made my wolf lift her head, ears flattening.
It was Margaret.
I answered, “Aria,” her voice flowed through the line, syrup-sweet. “I was just too emotional the other day. Don’t hold it against me. Now that you’re back with the Darvin family, why don’t you stay with us instead of living outside?”
My expression didn’t change. My wolf gave a low, unimpressed huff in my chest.
“I want to make it up to you,” she continued, layering warmth into every word. “Sophia was so excited when she heard you agreed to come back that she rushed her discharge. I even cooked to celebrate our family reunion.”
Cooked. The word should’ve meant comfort.
Instead, memories surfaced, memories from when I was still very young. Memories of cold plates, closed doors, I always used to eat alone while they all ate together like a family.
Silence stretched.
“Aria?” she called again, and I caught it, the crack in her tone. She was becoming a little impatient.
“My dear,” she tried again, her tone softer. “You’re out there alone. I neglected you when you were little, and we’ve been estranged for years. I haven’t even had the chance to really see you. Could you give me a chance to make amends?”
Across from me, Chloe was watching my screen like it might bite. She mouthed dramatically, A chance to make amends? Oh please, her face twisted in exaggerated disbelief.
Amelia didn’t speak, but she shook her head slightly, her lips forming two silent words.
Don’t go. My wolf felt their loyalty like warmth at my back. And for a moment... I almost said no.
But I smiled at them instead, a small, calm, reassuring smile.
“Okay,” I said into the phone.
Chloe froze and Amelia blinked.
On the other end, Margaret went quiet, I could tell she was clearly stunned. She didn’t think I would agree so quickly.
Then I heard movement, fabric shifting, Patrick’s heavier breathing. He definitely must have put her up to this, there was no surprise there.
“Great! Come home tonight, Aria. I’ll be waiting,” Margaret rushed out, as if I might change my mind if she paused too long.
“Got it,” I said, and ended the call.
The line went dead.
Chloe stared at me like I’d just volunteered to walk into a hunter’s trap. “Aria—”
“I know,” I said quietly. Of course I knew, my wolf did too, but she wasn’t scared, she was alert.
Going back to Darvin Villa wasn’t a homecoming, it was a den of old ghosts, and I was walking back in with my eyes open this time.
Because prey runs, but wolves return to enemy territory with purpose.
Chloe’s outrage was so loud my wolf actually perked up like she’d heard a challenge call. I couldn’t help it, I laughed under my breath.
“What?” I asked, leaning back against the couch.
Chloe threw her hands up. “Why did you agree? You know they don’t have good intentions, right?”
Her scent was sharp and protective. Pack-defense mode.
Amelia nodded, frowning. “Even if going to the Darvin family isn’t physically dangerous, they’re clearly trying to win you over. After how Margaret treated you? This sudden ‘mother-daughter love’ reeks of Patrick.”
My wolf huffed in agreement. I already knew that. Leeches, that was a good word for them.
I tilted my head, a slow smile tugging at my lips. “There’s a saying,” I murmured, “the higher the expectations... the greater the disappointment.”
I gave them a small wink.
Chloe froze, then she sat up straight so fast the air shifted. “Ohhh. You’re going to mess with them.”
I lifted a brow, neither confirming nor denying. freёwebnovel.com
“Patrick suddenly acting all reconciled with Margaret? Please,” I said lightly, though my wolf’s eyes were cold. “It’s about the Osborne family. He’s planning for himself and Clarence. But I’m not going to let him get everything he wants.”
My fingers tapped against my arm, my claws threatening to surface.
“The higher he dreams,” I said quietly, “the harder he’ll fall.”
Both of them actually shivered.
Chloe grinned. “I’m in.”
Amelia didn’t smile. Her eyes softened with worry. She knew me too well. Revenge could rot a wolf from the inside if you weren’t careful.
“If you really want to,” she said slowly, “go ahead. They hurt you. Whatever comes... they chose it.”
I reached over and covered her hand with mine.
“Thank you,” I said softly. “Don’t worry, everything will be fine.” My wolf wasn’t spiraling.
“ARIA!”
“Aria!”
Two voices exploded from upstairs at the same time, followed by stomping that made the house vibrate.
My wolf’s head snapped up. I was on my feet instantly.
Rowland and Logan came down the stairs in a tangled mess of limbs and pride, neither backing down an inch.
“What are you two doing?” I demanded, my gaze locking on Rowland first. “You just got out of the hospital. Didn’t I tell you to rest?”
The moment he heard my voice, Rowland’s whole demeanor shifted. He slipped behind me like I was a shield, which annoyingly, I was.
“Why didn’t you tell me you had a guest?” he complained, pointing at Logan. “Why’s he still here?”
