Free Web NovelChapter 405: Chapter 405
Nathan’s POV
“Alpha Nathan,” she said coldly, “I know what kind of person my friend is. I know he never laid a hand on you. Emotionally and logically, I will stand by my friend.”
My wolf went still, completely still. fɾēewebnσveℓ.com
The memory from the past slammed into me without warning. The memory of when Aria stood before me, trying to explain that she was innocent. Trying to defend herself.
And I hadn’t listened.
I had trusted Sophia’s investigation over my mate’s voice, over her scent, over the bond.
I had judged, decided, and closed the case.
Was this what it felt like? To speak and not be heard? To be condemned without trial?
My fists tightened again, but this time not in anger, but in regret.
I bit the inside of my lip hard enough to taste blood. My voice came out hoarse.
“What do you want?”
She looked straight at me. “Apologize to him.”
Two simple words, yet they weighed a hundred pounds.
“Fine,” I said through clenched teeth. I lifted my chin and forced myself to look at Jonathan. “But don’t you want to know what we discussed?”
My heart was pounding now from desperation.
Look at me, Aria. Ask me, give me one chance.
“I don’t care,” she cut in coldly. “I’m just here to seek justice for my friend.”
A strange smile tugged at my mouth then. It must have looked wrong—because inside, everything felt split open.
Relief... because she hadn’t asked what he said. If she knew, it might hurt her too.
Despair... because it didn’t matter to her what he said.
Even if Jonathan had provoked me.
Even if he had challenged my right as a father. Even if he had implied he could take my place.
None of it mattered. What mattered was that she believed him over me.
A sharp pain pulsed behind my eyes. My wolf recoiled, wounded.
“Fine,” I said after a long silence. My voice sounded distant and detached.
“It’s my fault, I’m sorry.”
The apology tasted like ash.
I turned before anyone could see the crack in my control. Before Aria could smell the bitterness bleeding through my skin. I walked long strides until I reached the study. I went in, reached for the door and slammed it shut.
Aria’s POV
I heard the door slam shut and remained unfazed.
I sat upright on the sofa, Lana warm against my chest, my face calm.
Inside, my wolf was pacing. Jennifer looked like she was seconds away from either scolding someone or collapsing. The air was thick with unsettled dominance, wounded pride, and something else, fragility.
Then the scream came.
“Nathan!” It sliced through the house like a siren.
Lana startled in my arms. My ears rang, not from volume, but from instinct. That was not a cry of anger.
That was fear.
Jennifer bolted towards the room. I rose slowly and walked toward the doorway, not running, not panicking.
When I stepped close to the study, I saw Gina crumpled on the floor, her scent sharp with hysteria. Nathan lay beside her, unmoving.
Unconscious.
The staff scrambled. The doctor who had barely left was dragged back in, pale and trembling. He examined Nathan quickly, his movements urgent but controlled.
After several tense minutes, he exhaled. “He fainted due to extreme stress. There will be no lasting damage.”
Stress.
I didn’t react.
They carried Nathan toward a room, his body limp, IV bag swinging slightly once it was attached.
I stood at the threshold of the study, watching from a distance.
I was detached, exactly how I needed to be.
Jennifer hurried after them without a second thought. Jonathan came to stand beside me. His presence was quiet and observant.
“Aren’t you going to check on him?” he asked.
I rocked Lana gently. Her heartbeat had steadied now, soft and rhythmic against my chest.
“What does it have to do with me?” I replied evenly.
Jonathan studied me, a faint smile at the corner of his lips. “Aren’t you curious about what we talked about? Maybe I provoked him.”
I looked at him then. His eyes were serene. Mine were cold.
“I wasn’t speaking for Nathan’s sake,” I said. “I only care about what I see. And about the people who matter to me.”
The words were sharp and clean, like ice breaking on stone.
“And don’t think I don’t know what kind of person you are, Jonathan,” I added, lifting a brow.
He smiled wider. We didn’t need more words. He might not have been innocent, but neither was Nathan.
“You’re still a guest here,” Jonathan said gently. “We can’t ignore the situation.”
He guided me toward the room where Nathan was taken to.
I went. When we entered, Nathan was already awake but pale. IV line taped to his hand. The sharp, commanding Alpha from earlier now looked hollow.
His eyes met mine and I immediately looked away.
Jennifer noticed Lana first. “Why bring the child? Be careful so she doesn’t catch anything,” she murmured, concern outweighing blame.
She knew. She knew Nathan’s stress had something to do with me.
Gina, however, didn’t have Jennifer’s restraint.
She stormed toward me, her scent sour with resentment.
“Are you happy now, Aria? Nathan’s sick, and it’s all because of you!”
She reached for my collar.
Jonathan stepped in front of me immediately. “Ms. Carlson, mind your manners.”
“Manners?” Gina spat. “Against a witch like her? What did she give you to make you her lapdog?”
Everyone stiffened at her outburst.
