My fingers tighten around the phone 68

Aria’s POV
His lips crashed into mine, searing and relentless, a flood of alpha pheromones wrapping around me like a drug,
drowning my senses until resistance felt like a distant, fading thought. The raw force of his kiss ignited a wildfire through
my veins, every nerve sparking as my body betrayed me—heart hammering, thighs trembling. It wasn’t until the soft
rustle from Lucas’s room pierced the haze that I jolted back to myself, breathless and teetering on the edge of surrender.
I shoved Ethan away with all my strength, breathing heavily as I hissed, “Stop! You’ll wake Lucas.”
Ethan’s eyes gleamed dangerously in the darkness, like a predator’s. He leaned close to my ear, his breath hot against my
skin as he whispered, “Then you’d better keep quiet, so you don’t wake your son.”
His words ignited a fury inside me, but beneath the anger bubbled an embarrassing awareness of my body’s betrayal—
the way it had responded so eagerly to his touch moments before. Using every combat technique I’d mastered over the
years, I pushed him away with enough force to make him stagger backward.
“Get out of my house. Now.” I kept my voice low. I couldn’t meet his eyes, afraid he might see the war happening within me—my dignity fighting against the heat still pooling low in my belly.
He inhaled deeply, nostrils flaring slightly as he visibly fought to control his wolf nature. The thunder crashed outside
again, making the entire apartment vibrate with its force.
“This conversation isn’t over, Aria,” Ethan finally said, straightening his tailored suit jacket with deliberate movements.
I walked stiffly to the door and pulled it open, my fingers gripping the handle so tightly my knuckles turned white. As
Ethan passed me, his alpha scent washed over me again. I hated this reaction, hated how my body responded to him
against my will.
The moment he crossed the threshold, I shut the door firmly and leaned against it, drawing several deep breaths to
steady myself. The sound of rain intensified outside, and only then did I realize I hadn’t given him an umbrella. I pressed
my fingers to my lips, which still tingled from his kiss.
The storm outside grew fiercer, rain pounding against the windows like angry fists demanding entry. Thunder rumbled
continuously now, no longer separate crashes but one long, menacing growl. I checked on Lucas, relieved to find him still
sleeping peacefully, one small hand curled around his stuffed wolf.
Emma’s POV
The entire night I tossed and turned, unable to sleep, my mind filled with images of Ethan and Aria sitting together—that
sight cutting into my heart like a knife. In the early morning, I paced across the marble floor of my luxury apartment, the
still gloomy weather outside perfectly reflecting the turmoil within me.
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I tugged at my carefully styled blonde hair in frustration, my insides burning with rage. Yesterday he had picked up Aria,
and my contact in Shadow Fang territory told me Ethan hadn’t returned home until late at night. Thinking about what
they might have been doing together made my wolf nearly howl through my skin, my nails digging deep into my palms
until I could smell the metallic scent of my own blood in the air.
I dialed my driver’s number, tapping my foot impatiently as it rang.
“Do you know where Ethan is?” I demanded without preamble when he answered.
“No, Miss Emma,” he replied cautiously. “I only know he went to Miss Aria’s apartment yesterday and didn’t return until
late.”
My fingers tightened around the phone. “Pick me up immediately,” I ordered, hanging up before he could respond.
Moving to my expansive walk-in closet, I selected my outfit with strategic precision. The raincoat-style trench was perfect —water-resistant for the weather, yet cut to accentuate my curves. I deliberately left the top buttons undone, revealing
just enough to appear vulnerable yet enticing. The soft beige color made me look innocent, harmless.
I applied my makeup with an expert hand, focusing on looking natural and slightly distressed. The carefully applied blush
gave me that perfect damsel-in-distress flush.
My driver arrived promptly. As we navigated the treacherous mountain roads leading to the Shadow Fang mansion, I mentally rehearsed what I would say. Luna needed to believe that I was the innocent victim. She needed to see me as the
perfect, submissive future Luna for their pack—not that feral single mother with her mysterious child.
The car lurched as we hit a particularly deep puddle, sending water spraying across the windshield.
“Be careful!” I snapped, checking my reflection in my compact mirror to ensure my appearance remained perfect.
“Sorry, Miss Emma,” the driver murmured, slowing down. “The roads are dangerous in this weather.”
I ignored his comment, focusing instead on calming my wolf, who sensed my anxiety and was growing increasingly
agitated. Today’s plan had to work. If I could secure Luna’s support, Ethan would have no choice but to honor his
obligation to me.
As we finally approached the imposing mansion perched atop the mountain, a sense of triumphant anticipation washed
over me. The grand structure loomed through the mist, warm lights glowing from within—a symbol of power and
everything I’d ever wanted.