Free Web NovelChapter 386: Chapter 386
Aria’s POV
“It’s Terry,” Francis said, his breath slightly heavier now. “He’s trying to run.”
My free hand went into my hair, gripping hard at the roots. “Damn it!”
Fear made people stupid. And Terry? He was young. He probably they thought he could outrun consequences.
“Don’t worry, Aria,” Francis said. “We’re going after him. We’ll bring him to you.”
The video disconnected. Silence flooded the room.
I lowered myself into the seat slowly, my wolf pacing inside my chest like it wanted to claw its way out and run with them.
Jackson was watching me. I could hear his heartbeat again, it was quick and uncertain.
“Is everything alright?” he asked.
He was a sweet kid, too sweet for the mess his family was tied up in. I leaned against the chair and gave him a small smile. “Yes, Jackson. Everything’s fine.”
It was a lie. But it was necessary.
Minutes crawled. Every passing second scratched at my nerves. I tracked imaginary distances in my head. Tyler wouldn’t get far, not from trained wolves.
My phone rang. I answered it before the first ring finished.
“We’ve got him,” Francis said.
Only then did I breathe properly.
“Good,” I murmured, my shoulders finally dropping. freēwēbnovel.com
Time blurred after that. The car drove on, until they arrived at the gate of Sierra Estates.
I was already outside waiting.
The gates stood open behind me like the mouth of a den. frёewebnoѵēl.com
The car rolled to a stop.
Jackson didn’t wait. He rushed forward the second he saw inside. His scent exploded with relief, disbelief and love.
“Dad! Mom!”
He helped his mother first, then his father. Tyler sagged between them, unconscious.
Jackson looked up at me and Francis, panic flooding his eyes.
I held his gaze.
“He’s alive, he tried to run but was caught and knocked out” I said gently. “He just needs to answer for what he’s done.”
Francis’s eyes met mine.
“He tried to run after we left the factory,” Francis said. “So I gave him a shot. Just an anesthetic. It has no side effects.”
Of course he did.
I nodded once. He had done an efficient job. That was very nice of him.
Jackson let out a shaky breath beside me. “I’m sorry, Aria. My dad caused you trouble again.”
His guilt hit me before his words did. My wolf softened a little.
I shook my head. “This isn’t on you.”
I motioned to the others. “Help him inside.”
Tyler’s body was carried in, limp but breathing steadily, and laid across the sofa.
A few minutes later, Tyler stirred. His eyes opened and met six of us watching.
“When you left your wife and child behind and ran,” I said, lifting my teacup, “did you really think I wouldn’t change my mind?”
The steam curled past my face. I was calm on the outside. My wolf, however, was alert, ears up, waiting.
Tyler swallowed. His scent changed, submission creeping in. “I trust you, Ms Aria...”
“I could change my mind,” I said lightly.
I saw it then,the sweat breaking across his forehead.
“Though you didn’t get away,” I added with a faint smile, “consider yourself unlucky.”
I clapped my hands once and leaned forward, elbows on my knees.
“Over a decade ago,” I said, my voice dropping, “the body you burned... wasn’t Clarence’s. Was it?”
My wolf pushed forward, glowing in my eyes.
Tyler stiffened like invisible claws had sunk into his skin.
Silence stretched.
“Yes,” he finally whispered, head bowing. “It wasn’t.” There it was. The truth was finally out.
“After that, Patrick paid you well to quit,” I continued softly. “You went back to Duckspire and lived peacefully. Until recently... when he came again and asked you to falsify evidence.”
Tyler closed his eyes, defeat rolled off him.
“Now that you know everything,” he asked hoarsely, “what will you do with me?”
My lips almost curled.
“After being locked in that factory so long,” I said, voice smooth as silk, “don’t you want revenge?”
His heart stuttered. I heard it.
“You...”
“I need you to testify for me,” I said. “The way you did for Patrick.”
His hands clenched. “You overestimate me,” he muttered.
I tilted my head. “All you have to do is speak. Tell them what Patrick demanded. Tell them how he kept you trapped.”
He stayed silent.
Why?
The Darvin name wasn’t what it used to be. Our influence had thinned. So why did he look like a rabbit smelling a wolf?
“Dad,” Jackson said softly, tugging his sleeve, “Aria’s been good to me. Please help her.”
I watched Tyler look down at his son. And I saw it. The wall cracking, he became a father before a scared man.
“Fine,” he exhaled. “But I can’t promise they’ll believe me.”
I smiled. “I just need you willing to speak.”
That was enough. Once words start, truths follow. Like blood in water.
“You just came from that a long journey,” I added. “Jackson, take him upstairs to the guest room. Let him rest.”
Jackson brightened instantly. “This way dad!”
They moved toward the stairs. Tyler walked quietly, but his eyes stayed on his son.
Halfway up, he glanced back at me. I turned my gaze away and fixed It on Francis and the others.
We all spoke at length, planning our next move.
