Free Web NovelChapter 379: Chapter 379
Aria’s POV
He told me everything without hiding any. They had mostly talked about business and establishing connections, just anything at all to keep conversations alive.
The car hummed forward again. His gaze lingered on me, thoughtful, like I was a puzzle he couldn’t solve.
“So,” he asked, shifting topics, “did you find what you were looking for?”
I looked down at my phone. “Yeah. I have sent it to Chloe.”
I checked my cellphone. Chloe had already responded with “Received”
Only then did the tight coil in my chest loosen.
Rowland noticed. Of course he did. He suddenly clutched his chest dramatically. “I barely survived today. So many people. And Sophia...talking to her makes my heart beat weird.”
He peeked at me from the corner of his eye. I didn’t look at him. I knew exactly what he was doing.
The dramatic sigh, the hand on his chest, the poor me, overworked Alpha act. ƒrēewebnoѵёl.cσm
I kept my face straight, tapping my chin as if in deep thought. “You must be exhausted. You should go home and rest.”
Rowland’s shoulders dropped like I’d personally insulted the Moon Goddess.
“You’re so unromantic,” he muttered, peeking at me.
I turned my head slowly and gave him one cool look.
He retreated instantly. “I mean—can’t you at least treat me to dinner for all my hard work?”
My lips finally curved, just a little. “Alright. After things calm down.”
That was enough. His mood lifted immediately, like a wolf pup promised a treat.
“So where is our destination? Home or office?”, he asked.
“Take me to the office.” I leaned into the seat in a relaxing manner.
The moment we pulled up at the office, I smelled him before I saw him.
Jackson stood near the entrance, tall in that awkward, half-grown way teenage wolves had; all limbs and uncertain strength. His scent spiked with anxiety and hope as he rushed toward me.
“Aria! Chloe said you might have leads about my parents. Is it true?”
His scent trembled, trying to be brave. frёewebηovel.cѳm
I softened. “We have possible leads. Chloe and Amelia need to analyze more.”
Relief flooded him so fast it made my chest ache. He almost reached for me instinctively in gratitude, but stopped when he noticed Rowland beside me.
“Thank you,” he said earnestly.
“Focus on your studies,” I told him gently.
He left lighter than he’d arrived. Rowland watched him go, then his expression darkened. “At Clarence’s funeral, when Tyler accused you... did he ever think his son might need you one day?”
His voice had steel in it.
I met his gaze. I knew that look. The one that meant I don’t forgive easily.
“I’m not kind enough to repay evil with kindness,” I said calmly. “Maybe it’s because of Lana. Children aren’t responsible for their parents’ sins.”
My mind drifted to my daughter...her scent, how warm and sweet it was, the way her tiny fingers curled around mine.
Everything I did now had a future attached to it. Then my eyes cooled.
“And sometimes,” I added, “you lift someone high... so the fall breaks more bones.”
Patrick thought he was safe, protected and untouchable. He had no idea the wolf he underestimated was already circling.
Rowland studied me, surprised but not afraid.
“You didn’t expect me to be different from the gentle person I look like?” I teased lightly.
He shook his head without hesitation. Then his hand landed on my head. It was warm, steady and claiming in the quietest way.
“You’re amazing,” he said. “Otherwise I’d worry about you getting hurt when I’m not there.”
My heart kicked hard once, what a traitor it was.
His eyes weren’t like Nathan’s cold depths.
Rowland’s were dark, yes, but alive.
“I’ll go see Chloe and Amelia,” I said quickly, turning away before the moment stretched too long.
I moved too fast, almost stumbling. My pulse refused to calm.
Behind me, he didn’t follow. I was glad, because if he had, he would’ve heard my heartbeat.
When I went upstairs, I opened the door and saw two grinning faces. Amelia and Chloe.
Chloe leaned back in her chair dramatically. “Where’s Rowland?”
Amelia smirked beside her.
My expression darkened, and I didn’t even bother pretending not to notice their looks. Of course they’d seen everything downstairs. They must have looked down the window.
I walked in.
“Alright,” I sighed, rubbing my temples, more to hide my embarrassment than soothe the faint pulse building there. My wolf shifted under my skin, restless, aware I’d been... affected. “How’s the map analysis going?”
The teasing glint in Chloe’s eyes faded, and Amelia gave a short nod. “Come with me.”
I went into the office with them. A printed map lay spread across the table, enlarged. I stepped closer, my eyes automatically adjusting, taking in distance, exits, blind spots.
I hadn’t had the chance to really study this at the Darvin estate. That place had reeked of tension, lies, and old grief.
“Based on data from our drones and observations,” Amelia said, her finger tapping a corner, “the factory covers about ten thousand square meters.”
“Ten thousand...” I repeated under my breath.
That was territory size. Pack-land size. Far too large for a second-tier company like the Darvin Group. My wolf bristled. Patrick wasn’t just hiding something, he was nesting.
How had he concealed this from the council, from rival packs, from corporate surveillance?
“Yes,” Chloe added, her voice heavy. “Finding two people in there without alerting anyone is close to impossible.”
Amelia’s finger began tracing lines across the map. “If it’s that difficult, we need precision. From Aria’s map, the factory is divided into four zones: work areas, employee rest zones, shipping, and management.”
I nodded slowly, following along.
“If Tyler and his wife are being hidden there, and the workers don’t know they exist... where would they be?” Amelia asked.
“We will rule out work and shipping, they won’t be there” Chloe said, thinking aloud. “Also employee rest. That leaves management.”
Amelia nodded. “Most likely. If Patrick is the real owner, only management would have direct contact. Any unusual arrangements would pass through them.”
Chloe turned to me. “What do you think, Aria?”
