Aria’s POV

Rowland stood, unmoving when I tugged on his sleeve. He even ruffled my hair, his fingers brushing the base of my ears.

A warning growl rumbled in my throat, my wolf instincts prickling.He only grinned wider.

"I’ve divorced Nathan, remember? No need for you to deal with him."

I shoved him back into his seat, pinning him with a glare.

"Nathan isn’t someone you just walk up to," I snapped. "Even his nephew can’t just..."

"He owes me a favor," Rowland interrupted, his confidence radiating like moonlight on steel. "And I’m calling it in."

My breath faltered. If that favor could help us find Clarence...and free me from ever standing before Nathan to ask for a favour...

"Don’t worry," Rowland murmured, tugging me gently to the couch. "I’ll handle it. I won’t let him get near you."

Jonathan nodded. "If Rowland can manage this, that is ideal."

I finally exhaled, tension uncoiling from my muscles.

"Fine," I said. "Handle it."

The room exhaled as one.

Chloe, eager, leaned forward. "Then how do we make Clarence admit her identity?"

Jonathan responded instantly. "A DNA test, with Sophia."

Chloe gasped, smacking her thigh. "Brilliant!"

Laughter erupted, the tension melting like snow.

Williams flopped dramatically onto the couch, groaning, "Finally done! I feel like a detective!"

Chloe smacked him, questioning his contribution. They bickered like pups, and for the first time that day, warmth bloomed in my chest.

Nathan’s POV

The Hemsworth Group’s headquarters towered over the city like a throne of steel and glass, and from my office, I could see every inch of land that belonged to me. Every wolf who dared to call themselves powerful trembled under my shadow.

I didn’t bother looking back as Collins entered. I stared outside the glass, taking in the scenery of the city.

"Alpha Nathan, I’ve arranged for those people to wait in my office," he reported.

"Patrick must have bought them," I answered, my voice low and clipped. "Find out what you can. Bribe them as much as you can, use any means necessary. I want the truth gutted and served."

"Yes, sir."

Just then a sudden bang rattled the door causing me to turn, my gaze fixed on it. There was only one person who would dare bang on it and I already knew who it was.

My wolf bristled beneath my skin, claws dragging beneath the surface, eager to strike.

Collins looked to me for guidance on what to do. I gave no reaction.

Ten minutes ago, Rowland, my nephew had called. He told me he was coming.

"Come in," I said, settling into my seat. My fingers laced together, my posture relaxed.

Rowland walked in wearing a blood-red motorcycle jacket. It felt like a bold statement, like he wanted to bleed on my floor.

He sat, one leg up in an insolent manner. What a brat he is.

"Uncle Nathan," he began, hia eyes glinting like a wolf pup begging to be disciplined, "you called my family to drag me back. Because you don’t want me near Aria, isn’t that right?"

My vision sharpened, not with rage but something colder.

Aria’s name struck like claws across my chest. My wolf snarled within me.

Rowland spun in the chair.

"I bet someone lost their chance to be by her side. Feeling jealous, huh?"

The temperature in the room dropped. Collins stiffened; even the walls felt like prey trapped in a hunter’s gaze.

I leaned forward.

"Rowland," my voice sliced the air, "do you think being near her gives you a real chance?"

His heartbeat kicked up, just a little. I heard it and avored it.

He laughed.

"I am certainly better than someone who doesn’t even have the privilege to get close."

I narrowed my eyes at Rowland. The nerve...how audacious of him to seat before me and spit venom.

He was forgetting who made him. Who taught him how to bite.

"You pressured my family," Rowland continued, shrugging. "But if I don’t want to leave, no one can make me."

"So?" I growled. "Why are you here?".

"I’ll go back," he smirked. "But I need you to do something first. Find Clarence’s whereabouts in Asterfell. Do that, and I’ll return to Veridale. Maybe you’ll even get a chance to see Aria."

I stilled at his words. This was strategy.

This was an opportunity, even though my wolf snarled at the humiliation of accepting a deal brought by my own nephew.

"Was she the one that sent you to me?" I asked, my voice low enough to shake bones.

He answered quickly.

"No. She didn’t."

It felt like a knife sent straight through my heart.

I had expected those words but it still hurt.

I blinked and inhaled slowly.

"Alright."

Rowland’s confidence faltered, just for a second.

Then he continued, "Tell me when you find Clarence. Don’t tell Aria, I want to do it myself."

I gave him a slow and dangerous smile. 𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝚠𝚎𝚋𝗻𝗼𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝚘𝐦

"You will be in Veridale. Telling Aria myself is easier."

Rowland opened his mouth; I cut him off.

"If you do not agree to my terms, then the deal is off. Find Clarence yourself if you want control."

I flicked my fingers, signaling Collins to escort him out.

Rowland cursed under his breath.

"Fine."

I rose from my seat to my full height.

"One more condition," I said. "Have Aria remove my number from the blacklist."

Rowland barked a laugh.

"So that’s it. She blocked you?"

My face darkened like a storm.

Rowland stood across from my desk. My wolf bristled beneath my skin, claws scraping the inside of my ribs.

"Rowland, it’s you who needs my help now."

My voice came out lower than I intended, threaded with a growl. "Just do as I have asked."

Rowland touched the tip of his nose, the corner of his mouth twitching like he was fighting a smile. "Remember what you promised me," he said over his shoulder as he turned toward the door. His shoes clicked once... twice... then halted.

He turned back, eyes narrowing with calculating calm. "I heard you brought those witnesses Patrick found to your company," he said, sliding back into the chair opposite me like he owned it. "What are you planning?"