Free Web NovelChapter 382: Chapter 382
Aria’s POV
Something in me changed.
The old Aria might have backed down, the one before prison, before betrayal, before I learned how it felt to be caged like an animal.
But cages change wolves.
My arms folded across my chest. My gaze dropped to her.
“Rose,” I said evenly, my voice calm in a way that made people uneasy. “Francis is rational. If you hadn’t overstepped again and again, he wouldn’t have made that decision. And as his assistant, your job when I arrived was to inform him, not decide things for him.”
A beat passed, she actually shivered.
My wolf felt it, her instinct reacting even if her pride didn’t.
“I’m his assistant, not yours!” she snapped.
She glared at me with naked hatred. “Do you know how hard he’s been working? Staying up all night on the drone project? If you cared, you wouldn’t burden him.” ƒrēewebnovel.com
That one landed. Not like a wound, more like a pressure point. Because it was true. Francis always did too much, for everyone, for me.
For a second, my wolf quieted, filled with guilt.
Amelia stepped in, her voice sharp. “What right do you have to question Aria about her relationship with Francis?”
“Do you even qualify as his assistant?” Chloe added, rolling her eyes.
But Rose didn’t look at them, just me. Her gaze was locked and fixated on me.
“Why aren’t you talking?” she pressed. “I thought someone like you just takes help for granted.”
I lowered my gaze, thinking.
My lashes cast shadows across my cheeks, and I could feel her mistake, she thought I was backing down.
Then I laughed coldly.
Her scent spiked with confusion. “Why are you laughing?!”
I lifted my eyes and let my wolf show.
“Amelia and Chloe are right,” I said. “Whatever happens between Francis and me is our business. You don’t get a say.”
Her jaw tightened.
“And I see what you’re really after,” I continued. “If you are interested in him, talk to him, not me. This won’t change anything.”
Truth hits harder than claws. I turned away, end of the confrontation. No need to escalate, a wolf doesn’t fight every barking dog.
Amelia followed and so did Chloe. We left without looking back. By the time I reached the car, her scent had already faded.
“You should’ve seen her face,” Chloe cackled from the front seat.
I stared out the window instead. The city blurred past, but my mind didn’t move.
“Don’t beat yourself up,” Amelia said quietly, glancing at me.
My fingers froze in my lap. She always noticed too much. Chloe’s grin faded. The car grew heavy with silence. freewёbn૦νeɭ.com
Amelia reached over, rubbing my fingers gently in a grounding. “Even if we inconvenienced Francis, it’s mutual. If you let it eat at you, Rose wins.”
I exhaled slowly. “I’m fine.”
It was a lie. On the outside, my reflection in the glass looked calm. Inside, memories stirred like a restless beast.
“Back when I was a lawyer representing Hemsworth Group,” I murmured, “Francis and I were close. He worked alongside me. When I was imprisoned... he fought with Nathan and left the country. He gave up everything because of me.”
The Hemsworth Group had been a giant. Francis had a future most wolves would’ve killed for, but talent survives anywhere. So does loyalty.
“Once this is over,” Amelia said softly, still holding my hand, “we’ll give him a proper farewell party.”
I nodded.
*****
The next day, just as promised, Francis infiltrated Patrick’s factory and became one of their workers.
By noon, the sky outside Shevron Estates turned the light blue that always made my wolf restless.
“Aria...” Logan tugged at my sleeve.
I looked down at his fingers clutching my clothes like a lost pup clinging to the Alpha’s fur. His scent was anxious. “Can’t I stay?”
“No.”
I peeled his hand off gently but firmly. A wolf can be kind without yielding ground. He has been in my place for a while now, he was beginning to see it as his home. He even had a small scuffle with Rowland today. I just couldn’t let this living situation continue.
“I... I’ll...” He bit his lip, his head hanging so his hair hid his face. “I won’t cause trouble anymore. I’ll listen to you.”
He looked up, those lake-blue eyes shimmered with hope.
I sighed and sat on the couch, taking Lana from Kara. My daughter’s tiny warmth settled against my chest, instantly calming the edge of my wolf. I shook my head at him again. “No. I warned you last time. Today, you have to leave.”
Across the room, Rowland was sprawled lazily on the other couch like he owned the place. But the moment I spoke, his scent brightened with satisfaction, smugness. His mouth curved into an infuriating grin as he shot Logan a triumphant look.
But Logan didn’t even notice. His world had narrowed to me.
“No! I want to stay with you! I came to Asterfell for you!”
He looked seconds away from dropping to the floor and howling.
“For me?” I tilted my head. My wolf flicked its ears at the inconsistency. “You went to Duckspire for your grandfather’s wish. You came to Asterfell because you only knew me and wanted to explore. So what do you mean, for me?”
He stared into my eyes like he was searching for mercy.
He didn’t find any.
His jaw clenched. His fists tightened. “I lied, I didn’t come to Asterfell to explore. I came here for you!”
...What?
Before I could step back, he grabbed my wrist.
My wolf surged forward instantly, hackles rising. Touch without permission equals threat.
“You’re my chosen mate!”
The words exploded out of him and suddenly, the wind split the air.
Rowland had moved.
One second he was lounging on the sofa, the next he was in front of me, his fist flying, his body radiating pure protective aggression. His wolf aura flared hot and territorial.
“What did you say?” he growled, voice low and lethal.
