Free Web NovelChapter 78: Chapter 78
Aria’s POV
I managed to get it out of my bag and check who it was.
It was Peter.
I grit my teeth and switched the phone to silent. I didn’t want to talk to him. No matter how much my heart ached, I couldn’t bring myself to because I feared he would persuade me to stay and if I did, he would get into more trouble because of me.
Lana whimpered softly in my arms. I adjusted the blanket and tucked her closer to my chest, protecting her face from the scorching sunlight. Her tiny heartbeat thudded softly against mine.
The scent of hot concrete, exhaust fumes, and sun-baked metal grated against my heightened senses. I forced myself to keep walking.
Two hours later, frustration began to creep in. I had just been turned away from another hotel cleaning job. All it took was one glance at the baby in my arms, and their polite smiles hardened into rejection.
My legs felt like lead.
If I don’t find work today... where will we sleep tonight?
Before the interviews, I’d counted what little cash I had left. Two, maybe three days in the cheapest motel. After that... nothing.
I could survive on scraps. I’d gone hungry before. But Lana, my precious little pup needed formula. The little bit Kara gave me was running out.
A knot of fear tightened in my chest.
I lifted my eyes to the blazing sun, the heat burning into my skin, and that’s when I heard it—
A sharp roar of an engine.
A sleek black luxury car swerved toward us, so sudden it kicked up dust. My wolf snarled a warning in my ears. I pivoted, clutching Lana tight, and stumbled out of the way.
The car didn’t leave.
It circled back slowly and boxed me in.
My pulse thundered. This wasn’t an accident. This was a deliberate act by whoever was in that vehicle.
The tinted window lowered just enough for me to catch a glimpse of a smirk I’d recognize anywhere.
It was Sophia.
Of course, who else would it be.
My stomach turned to ice.
I lowered my head, shielding Lana, and quickened my pace. But the car door swung open, blocking my way with polished malice.
"Aria," Sophia drawled, her voice bubbling with poisonous delight, "what rotten luck running into you like this."
A long, pale leg emerged—of course she’d wear custom designer heels to stalk someone. She tossed her sunglasses back into the car and set her eyes on me. Or rather, on the bundle in my arms.
I shifted Lana away from her piercing gaze.
"Aria, you know what you look like right now?" she sneered. "A pathetic nobody, unwanted and discarded."
With Nathan absent, her mask fell away, revealing the venom beneath.
I stepped back carefully, my senses sharpening. My gaze flicked to her heels... then slowly to her stomach.
Wasn’t she supposed to be pregnant?
Why was she wearing heels? Why was she speeding around?
Sophia noticed my stare. Her eyes widened before she quickly hid her stomach behind her handbag.
"What are you gawking at?" she snapped, her voicr too sharp and defensive. "Jealous? Planning to hurt my baby out of spite?"
Her words were ugly—but her eyes...
I searched them instinctively. A pregnant mother’s eyes should be soft, warm, instinctively protective.
But hers were cold, hostile and almost... empty.
She shifted again, fidgeting. "Stop staring at me!"
I met her gaze coolly. "move."
Relief flickered across her face when I looked away. But she recovered fast, planting herself squarely in my path.
"What, you own the street now?" she scoffed. "Nathan’s not here, so don’t try intimidating me with those cursed wolf eyes of yours. That act might fool men, but not me."
My wolf growled quietly beneath my skin. She wanted a fight. She wanted provocation. I could practically smell it on her.
"What’s wrong?" Sophia taunted, stepping closer. "Did Peter finally kick you out?"
I didn’t react.
She took that as encouragement.
"He’s been a thorn in my side ever since you landed in prison. Quite the loyal mutt. But even that fool abandoned you once you dragged him thirty million dollars into debt."
Her words were sharp, meant to cut deep.
But I didn’t flinch.
Her smirk faltered.
"Done talking?" I said calmly. "Move."
Her eyes widened at my cold tone.
I lifted my gaze and looked past her, straight at the driver slouching inside the car.
The woman stiffened when our eyes met, ducking her head. She used to be under my wing. I’d trained her myself. Guided her. Now she chauffeured Sophia like a lapdog.
Disappointment flickered through me. A small, hollow sting. But some people have weak spines. I couldn’t afford to mourn that.
"She’s my driver now," Sophia bragged. "You can’t boss her around anymore".
"Your lapdog, you mean," I said flatly.
Sophia froze. Then she laughed. It was too loud and sounded forced. "Oh, you’re mad, aren’t you?"
She leaned in, her breath hot on my ear, whispering like a serpent.
"Your little ally turned traitor. Bet that stings."
She wanted me to crack.
Instead, I smiled faintly. "She’s just someone who doesn’t matter anymore."
The way her face twisted was beautiful to behold.
Before she could recover, I planted one hand on her shoulder and shoved hard.
She slammed against the car door with a sharp gasp. fɾēewebnσveℓ.com
"Aria!" she shrieked, her pride wounded more than her back.
I stepped away, holding Lana close, lifting my chin.
"Sophia," I said quietly, "no matter how well you wear that mask, it’ll slip eventually."
Her cheeks flushed crimson. She knew exactly what I meant, her fake innocence in front of Nathan.
She took a step forward, fury sparking in her eyes—
"Look behind you," I said calmly, nudging towards something behind her shoulders.
"You think I’ll fall for that—" she hissed, stomping forward in her heels ready to lunge at me
"Luna Aria."
Collins’ voice sliced through the tension, halting Sophia in her tracks.
Sophia spun around, her face stiffening when she saw him holding a file. From the look in her eyes, she had seen that file before.
"Oh, Collins," she chirped, her tone instantly sugary, "you didn’t need to trouble yourself—"
"It is Alpha Nathan’s order," he replied, unmoved.
At the mention of Nathan’s name, something inside me tightened. My wolf stirred warily.
While Sophia chattered, I turned to leave. I didn’t want to have anything to do with Nathan anymore. I just wanted all of them out of my life.
"Luna Aria!" Collins called, hurrying after me.
He intercepted me gently, careful of Lana. Since my arms were full, he opened the file instead and angled it toward me.
"This is Alpha Nathan’s arrangement," he said. "You will understand once you read it."
