Free Web NovelChapter 91: Chapter 91
Nathan’s POV
It was nearly midnight. In the villa’s garden, jasmine flowers glistened with water from the staff’s evening tending, catching the light in soft, dazzling droplets.
I glanced out the window, the shimmering petals oddly unsettling.
A strange unease gripped me. I rubbed my temple, dousing the room’s lights to retire for the night.
A sudden knock jolted me. freёwebnoѵel.com
Frowning, I glanced at the door. Who could it be at this hour?
The knocking grew urgent and insistent.
My expression darkened as I strode to the door. The moment I turned the handle, a force pushed through.
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She appeared in the doorway like a wraith, her hair wild, her skin drained of color, trembling as if the wind itself had stripped her bare. My chest tightened at the sight. Something was wrong. Everything about her screamed danger and fear.
"What happened?" My voice was low, amd clipped, but inside, my wolf was roaring, claws scraping at my ribs.
My eyes fell to her empty arms. Wait... where was the baby?
Before I could ask, her hands shot up, gripping my collar like a lifeline. "Nathan, save your—"
Before she could finish, sobs rattled her frame, and she struggled to speak through them. "You said you could help us. Does that still stand?" fɾeewebnoveℓ.co๓
Her raw, desperate voice tightened my jaw and set my nerves on fire. I could smell her panic. My wolf surged, growling inside, every nerve screaming to hunt.
"What’s going on?" My voice sharpened, claws of anger and fear scratching at my throat.
"Lana’s gone," she forced out, trying to keep calm, but her voice trembled like a wounded pup.
I felt the weight of her words slam into me. My wolf growled low, dragging me toward action. I stepped closer. "Sit. Explain everything."
Her frantic energy pulled at me, a tether I couldn’t sever. Images of Lana’s bright, laughing eyes filled my mind, twisting my chest with a pang I hadn’t known could exist.
"There’s no time! The Crestfall Hotel, that clerk was fixated on Lana from the start. You’ve got power, right? Check the hotel staff, their backgrounds! They’re involved, I know it!" Her words tumbled over themselves, frantic, desperate, and her fingers crushed my expensive shirt like it meant nothing.
I didn’t recoil. Her hands burned cold on my collar, icy as winter winds. My wolf snarled softly, sniffing for traces of the danger she’d smelled, every muscle coiled and alert.
"Alright," I said, voice low but steady. I reached for my phone, dialing Collins with clipped precision, relaying the situation in terse, commanding tones. I could hear him taking charge immediately, his voice a balm to my chaos.
I hung up, my hand covering hers, feeling the tremor beneath her skin. For once, she didn’t pull away.
"Trust Collins. We’ll have answers soon," I said, trying to steady her.
"No," she shot back, her eyes sharp and relentless. "Give me a car. I’m going to find her myself."
Her words, her determination, hit me like a punch to the chest. I stared into those blazing eyes, my wolf’s instincts screaming to restrain her, to shield her, to take control.
"Are you sure?" I asked, frowning. My voice softened but carried the edge of warning. "It’s late. You’re alone..."
"Give me the keys!" Her hand clamped harder on my collar, her gaze wild. I could smell her fear, tinged with iron resolve. She looked fierce, though her trembling body betrayed the fragility beneath.
I didn’t hesitate. "I’m coming with you."
I took her hand in mine, feeling the icy fire of her grip, and pulled her toward the garage.
Aria’s POV
The moment Nathan’s hand closed around mine, a rush of warmth shot through my fingertips and up my arm. My wolf stirred beneath my skin, startled by the contact, and I frowned, willing her to settle.
I should’ve pulled away immediately. I should’ve snarled, even. But Lana... Lana mattered more than my pride, more than my pain, more than whatever mess lingered between Nathan and me.
So instead, as soon as we reached the car, I shook off his hand and slipped into the passenger seat, forcing distance between us. I felt him notice the loss of contact, his energy flickered.
"Aria, you’re the one asking for my help," he muttered as he slid behind the wheel, rubbing his temple. The engine came to life. His tone carried a thin razor of accusation that sliced straight into me.
My spine stiffened. He wasn’t wrong. I had been impulsive and desperate. I’d practically begged him. The realization made heat crawl up my neck, humiliation and raw fear tangled together.
I masked it with defiance, lifting my chin. "Alpha Nathan, are you going back on your word?" I said coolly. "As you pointed out, we’re still legally married. Surely you wouldn’t refuse such a small favor."
The words tasted like iron on my tongue.
He let out a sigh of frustration but he looked at me anyway, a flicker of something unsteady in his eyes. Concern? Guilt? I couldn’t tell, I didn’t want to.
Before either of us could say more, his phone rang.
It was Collins.
Nathan put it on speaker.
