Aria’s POV

Concern radiated from Jonathan like heat. It made something in my chest squeeze.

"I’ll have to go," I admitted, forcing a smile. "Even if Nathan pulls strings to keep the media back for a while, it’s already gnawing at my credibility. And with the launch of our new design coming in a few months... I can’t afford a damaged reputation. Plus..."

I smiled teasingly, trying to lift the weight in the room..."since I’m one of your designers at Celestyr, Alpha Jonathan, aren’t you afraid I might cause a scandal? Imagine that...your star designer wreaking havoc and dragging Celestyr into a storm."

I meant it as a joke, but my heart was heavy. My wolf ears twitched inward, listening for every heartbeat, every breath.

"I am not worried about that at all," Jonathan replied softly.

Those simple words hit me like a warm touch to a cold shoulder. My heartbeat stuttered.

"Then I’ll go with you," Amelia added. "We have no conflicts of interest."

Her voice was strong, sharpened by law and tempered in battles. I nodded, feeling something like a safety net forming.

"Alright," I said, inhaling deeply, letting my wolf steady me from the inside out. "We prepare tonight."

A shout broke out beyond the door, some bickering, loud as claws on stone. Then Williams and Chloe tumbled in like pups wrestling, pushing and snapping at each other in the playful, mildly annoying way.

Amelia, Jonathan and I rubbed our temples at the same time. Those two are impossible.

Soon, our meal was served.

We ate and for a moment, I almost forget everything.

When we were done, and I reach for my phone to pay, the receptionist smiled politely.

"Alpha Nathan has already settled the bill."

My hand froze. Nathan...Of course. Even when he isn’t here, he’s here. My pulse skipped, and not pleasantly.

"I’ll pay," I said quickly, pushing my phone toward her. I couldn’t afford to let him keep tying strings to me, not even subtle ones. "Can you refund his payment?"

She hesitated, but then she eventually nods.

"We’ll process the refund," she says politely. "You can pay here."

I breathe out through my nose. My wolf bristled within me.

After settling the bill, we stepped outside.

Two days later, I coordinated my location with a few contacts in Asterfell and hurried back to Shevron Estates to pack for the imminent journey to Duckspire. I would travel tonight with Amelia. My wolf paced inside me, restless.

Amelia had already brought her packed suitcase to my house and was helping me pack mine. Clothes, documents, travel necessities, her of organization was unmatched.

"Take this with you!" Chloe practically kicked the door open, waving a black baton like a prized weapon.

I blinked. "What is that?"

Amelia reached out to touch it, then froze. "Is this... an electric baton?" Her voice edged into disbelief.

"What are you planning to do with that?" Amelia demanded, her eyes widening.

Chloe’s expression hardened; even her wolf aura flared a little, intimidation rolling off her. "You two are going to investigate a case. You might run into some bad guys. This is for just in case."

Williams, lounging on the bed, snorted. "Ha! Chloe, you’ve been reading too many detective werewolf novels. Your brain’s stuck in TV dramas."

Chloe’s entire face darkened. In three strides, she had Williams by the ear, yanking like a wolf disciplining a pup. "A spoiled brat like you thinks you can talk? Huh?"

Williams yelped, flailing, his wolf energy flaring awkwardly. He looked at me with a pleading expression. "Aria! Help! She’s gonna rip my ear off!"

Their bickering made me laugh despite myself. The sound eased my tension, my wolf calming a little.

"We’re mainly going to check on Tyler’s family," I reassured them. Tyler was the name of the crematorium worker. "Ideally, we’ll contact them directly. It shouldn’t be dangerous."

My wolf didn’t quite agree, it paced, ears pinned, feeling uneasy.

Williams straightened with smug triumph. "See?! I told you! She’s poisoned her brain with fantasy!"

That was a wrong move from him because Chloe pinched him harder, not minding that he was a young alpha from a pack in Veridale. Williams screeched.

Jonathan exhaled like he’d reached his limit. He rose to his feet, grabbed Williams by the back of the collar, and, with elegant precision, kicked him out the door. Chloe didn’t need to be told, she followed after Williams.

Click.

The door shut and Jonathan locked it.

I stared, my mouth twitching. "Jonathan... that was ruthless."

"He’s too noisy," he said simply, brushing imaginary lint off his sleeve like it hadn’t just been the most Alpha move I’d seen all week. Then, casually, he asked, "When will you be back?"

"In a few days," I answered, folding another shirt and trying not to overthink. "It won’t take long."

Amelia grinned suddenly, unusually gossipy for someone who could tear apart a courtroom. "Alpha Jonathan seems quite concerned about our Aria." She glanced between us like she could smell secrets.

"Of course," Jonathan replied without hesitation, his expression calm as a lake at dawn.

Amelia deflated a little, like she’d been expecting more drama.

"If you need anything," Jonathan continued, his eyes meeting mine with a sincerity that warmed me from the inside out, "call me."

I nodded. My wolf liked him, he was a trustworthy Alpha, unlike some others.

But then Amelia smirked. "Rowland just left... and someone here isn’t seizing opportunities."

Heat crawled up my neck. I shot her a glare. "Why are you acting like Chloe?"

Amelia just laughed. "We’ve been friends too long. I can smell tension like blood in the air."

She wasn’t wrong. My wolf hated being read so easily.

Then Amelia’s voice softened. "But while you’re gone... what about Lana?"