Nathan’s POV

It has been two days since Aria severed our mate bond. I have not been able to operate as I used to. I haven’t been able to go to work.

My wolf have been sad and in pain, crying for our mate. My mind wandered, recollecting everything I had done to Aria, reminding me how undeserving I was of her.

"Alpha Nathan," Collins said, pulling me out of my thought. I glanced up at him.

"What should I do about the meeting with the Chairman of Globulus Enterprise? It is scheduled for 3p.m today".

I lowered my gaze and let out a sigh, "Cancel it".

Collins stood there, stiff like a log of wood, probably shocked that I was willing to cancel a meeting I had been looking forward to for awhile, but I didn’t care. None of that mattered to me. I only cared about how to rebuild things with Aria how to gradually make her forgive me and get back together.

A thought sprang to mind.

I lifted my gaze to Collins.

"Release the video from that night," I said.

Collins stiffened. "The video of you and Ms. Darvin in the hotel room?" He asked, his eyes wide.

I nodded, "Yes". I had pinned a small camera on my suit jacket that night before I went to the restaurant, in hopes of capturing everything Sophia said when I questioned her about that night.

Unfortunately I got drunk and she took me to a hotel. She had taken off my suit jacket and kept on the couch in the room.

It captured everything that happened in there. I need Aria to see the footage. I need her to see that I didn’t touch Sophia. She’d see I didn’t betray her. She’d know I still choose her. Every time.

"Alpha Nathan, the video...it... it also captured you."

"I said release it."

A growl laced my words, the air crackling as my wolf pushed forward, eyes darkening to gold. Collins dropped his head instantly in submission.

After Collins left, silence swallowed the room. I exhaled, my shoulders finally sinking.

Smoke curled from the cigarette between my fingers as I stared out the window.

Aria’s POV

Lana sat on the floor playing with Rowland, her tiny voice ringing like a bell. "Lana! Lana!"

She could say her name fully. She was a genius pup, my pride.

Rowland pinched her nose, making her giggle, her wolf scent fluttering like flowers in spring. "I’ll make porridge myself. For our Lana."

Our...

My wolf bristled, unsure if she wanted to snap at him or allow the warmth that crept into her chest.

For the past two days, I had shut Rowland and everyone out because my wolf and I needed time to heal from the broken mate bond. I finally let him in today and he has been a great guest.

Once Rowland retreated, I lifted Lana, her small body melting into mine, her head on my shoulder. She calmed instantly, sensing my heartbeat. My wolf purred complacently. This was our entire world.

We looked down at the tablet together.

Lana’s little finger shot forward. "Dad... Dad."

My blood turned to ice.

On-screen, a video played.

It showed Nathan.

I froze, my jaw clenching.

Nathan’s voice slurred from the video. "Aria... Aria..."

And then, another voice boomed. It was Sophia’s. She twisted my name on her tongue like poison, told a drunk Nathan that she was me.

My wolf snarled inside me, claws digging into the walls of my heart.

Why would Nathan... release this? We were already done with each other, what is he trying to prove with it?

His disheveled image filled the screen. Had he done it intentionally? Was this some twisted attempt to prove sincerity? 𝕗𝗿𝕖𝐞𝐰𝗲𝕓𝐧𝕠𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝐨𝚖

I had intervened that night out of instinct. Not for love or for longing.

I did it because I could sense Sophia’s desepration that night. If she had succeeded that night, she’d cling to the top of Asterfell’s hierarchy and make future justice impossible. I couldn’t allow that. I wouldn’t let a snake like her masquerade as an Alpha’s mate.

But the way Nathan looked at her in the footage...

My stomach twisted.

Did he truly believe she was me?

A low growl rattled in my chest. Lana looked up and mimicked it.

I kissed her forehead, breathing her in.

I forced myself to scroll.

Hemsworth Group’s official statement burned on the screen:

"These are proof of Ms. Sophia’s deliberate misconduct toward Executive President of the Hemsworth Group, Alpha Nathan. It is currently under legal review."

Comment after comment blurred past:

"I thought Sophia and Alpha Nathan were a perfect match. Was she trying to seduce him all these while"

"She tried to force herself on him! How can she pretend to be Aria?"

"Maybe that lawyer title was also built on lies, maybe she slept her way up to her position."

Suddenly, my phone buzzed.

Notifications poured in like pelting rain.

#AlphaNathanCreatesTwitterAccount

#AlphaNathanClarifies

#AlphaNathanAddressesExWife

The account was simply named:

Nathan.

A ripple of unease slithered beneath my skin like a cold wind brushing the fur of my wolf. My fingertips hovered over the screen before finally tapping Nathan’s announcement.

"The news of my divorce from Ms. Aria is true.

The fault lies with me, not her. Ms. Sophia Darvin and I are merely employer and employee. There has never been inappropriate conduct between us."

My eyes tracked the words, my wolf paced within me. I felt nothing, no spark of triumph, no bitter satisfaction.

Just... emptiness.

A hollow ache where a bond used to sit like a second heartbeat.

I scrolled, reading the remaining speech from Nathan, my breath stalling.

"Since the divorce, I have reflected on our years as a couple and feel regret.

I respect her decision, but I cannot deny the loss.

And if you ever see us together again, it will be because I’m trying to win her back."