Free Web NovelChapter 383: Chapter 383
Aria’s POV
I reacted on instinct, grabbing Rowland’s arm before bone met bone. The force of his swing still sent wind across my face, making my hair whip.
“Sit down,” I snapped, flashing him a warning glare.
He obeyed, but barely.
I turned back to Logan. “Explain.”
He lifted his chin stubbornly. “You’re my chosen! We were childhood sweethearts! We’re meant to be together!”
Each sentence was louder than the last. The room went dead quiet. I crossed my arms and stared at him.
The look I give idiots who think volume equals truth.
His face went red. “You don’t believe me? I have your childhood photos!”
Before I could stop him, he bolted upstairs and came back with an album, flipping it open in front of me.
My breath caught. There were photos of me. Dozens of them. My wolf went still.
“Where did you get these?” I asked, my voice cooling.
He puffed up proudly. “We met as kids. Your grandma and my grandpa took group photos. We were in them. I chose you as my mate when ee were young.”
Rowland shot to his feet again. “What group photo?” His gaze snapped to me, panic and anger tangling in his scent. “Aria, say something!”
A headache throbbed behind my eyes. I rubbed my temples. “That was a lifetime ago. I know nothing about this ‘betrothal.’ If that’s why you’re here, it’s meaningless.”
“You want to back out?” Logan’s voice cracked.
“I didn’t know. I didn’t agree. And even if it’s true, we’re adults. The past doesn’t decide my life.”
“It does!” he shouted.
He reached for me again.
Rowland slapped his hand away with a sharp chop. “Didn’t you hear her?”
The tension in the room spiked, two male wolves seconds from turning this into a dominance fight.
I kicked Rowland lightly. “Stop it, I won’t have both of you fighting in my house.”
***** freeweɓnovēl.coɱ
An hour later, after Logan and Rowland had left, Chloe and Amelia arrived at my house.
They came in and sat on the couch. “Francis is inside the factory. The progress is smooth so far. His roommate confirmed Tyler is in Zone Two.”
I handed them water. Chloe gulped hers down.
“Good. Now, we wait for confirmation,” I said.
Amelia held up a blueprint. “If we find Tyler, how do we extract him?”
I touched my chin, thinking. Strategy steadied me; my wolf loved a hunt. “Factories need supply runs, right? We will smuggle him out then. If that doesn’t work” I pointed to the transport zone. “Francis will knock him out and bring him there. We will intercept.”
Both of them nodded.
Amelia left to contact Francis.
The room quieted. It was just me, Lana’s soft breathing, and Chloe’s mischievous eyes.
She glanced at the door, then at me. “You know... Logan’s dumb, but he’s smart too. Childhood sweethearts aren’t the worst option.”
I stared at her.
“I kicked him out,” I said flatly.
Chloe scratched her head, laughing. “He told me. Isn’t this just tit for tat?” She leaned closer, her eyes dancing with mischief. “Logan’s the world’s top pianist now. He is famous and rich. Being with him isn’t exactly suffering.”
My wolf snorted internally. She says it like we’re choosing furniture, not mates.
But then her gaze drifted to Lana in my arms...
“You know, either one of them won’t be bad. Logan or Rowland. Any of them will be a perfect mate for you”.
I caught her matchmaking tone and laughed under my breath, giving her a tired look. “You don’t even have a man, yet you’re always arranging mine.”
Her face went red instantly. “Hey! You’ve been around Rowland too long. Now you’re roasting me too?!”
Her indignant scent puffed up like an offended squirrel. It made my chest feel oddly light.
For a moment, the heaviness I carried eased.
“Honestly,” I said quietly, resting my chin on my hand, fingers brushing Lana’s tiny back, “after my divorce... relationships just don’t feel that important. Sometimes having someone beside you feels more like weight than warmth.”
My wolf didn’t crave a mate. It craved freedom, safety and control.
Chloe’s playful energy softened. She leaned back, thinking. “Then fine. You don’t need one. You’ve got me and Amelia.”
And she was right.
We had power and influence. We were altight by ourselves. Not every she-wolf needed a male shadow to be complete.
Amelia returned after contacting Francis and giving him the new instructions.
I carried Lana to her bed and lay her down. She was fast asleep.
I went back to the girls.
Soon, Amelia announced with alarm.
“Francis is calling.” Chloe and I were up instantly, work mode activated.
We moved close to Amelia as she answered the call and put it on speaker.
Francis’ voice came through the line, low and steady, wind brushing the mic.
“I saw Tyler and his wife. I know where they work. Tonight I’ll get taken to their quarters.”
