Nathan’s POV

Before I could answer, Sophia’s sharp and dismissive voice cut through,"You’re Alpha Nathan’s driver. Helping a street cleaner? That’d make him look ridiculous. Just go around her."

"Sir," the driver tried again, his tone hesitant. "Perhaps we could wait just a moment. She’ll be clear of the road in a minute. It’s freezing... she’s soaked through. And she’s got a baby with her."

My grip on the tablet tightened. I forced my breathing steady, swallowing the growl that threatened to rise.

"It’s the rain’s fault, really," Sophia said with a pout, glancing out the window as if bored. "She’s the one choosing to sweep the street just after a heavy rainfall. It’s not our fault, fate’s just not on her side."

Sophia turned toward me, softening her voice. "Alpha Nathan, it’s not that I don’t feel sorry for her, but..."

"Enough," I said quietly. "She’s just a street cleaner. Drive."

The temperature in the car dropped. Even my wolf stilled—watching, waiting.

Sophia blinked, then smiled faintly as if appeased. "I know you’re just worried about being late for the meeting," she murmured, touching my hand.

I nodded, forcing a calm I didn’t feel. "Exactly." Then, turning to the driver, my tone turned to ice. "What’s wrong? You didn’t hear me?"

The driver’s Adam’s apple bobbed. "Yes, sir."

He pressed the gas.

The tires splashed through the puddles, sending a cold spray of dirty water up from the street. It hit her with full force.

Through the tinted glass, I saw her flinch. Her body went rigid, trembling as she tried to shield the bundle at her chest. The broom slipped from her numb fingers, clattering onto the wet asphalt. She didn’t even reach for it.

The car sped on. I stared down at the documents in my hand, redirecting my focus.

Aria’s POV

"Lana, sweetheart, don’t cry," I whispered, my voice trembling as I watched the black car disappear down the street. I let out a soft sigh of relief, thankful Nathan had not figured out it was me. That had been a very close call.

Thank Goddess I had made it a ritual to take a dose of scent masking potion daily. Even in a large country as this, you never know when you would run into a familiar face.

Lana’s soft cry filled the air as I cradled her.

"Shh... it’s okay," I murmured, trying to soothe her even more. Her cries shook her whole little body, her fists pressing weakly against me. The sound shredded me from the inside out.

Around us, curious people began to gather, their phones raised like vultures circling a dying deer.

"Check it out—this cleaning lady just got drenched! Hilarious!"

"I’m zooming in for a closer look!"

I instinctively hid my face, not wanting to get captured. It is true that I am currently a shadow of my past self and would be hardly recognizable by anyone but I still didn’t want to take any chances.

Their laughter pricked at my ears, sharp and cruel. My wolf bristled beneath my skin, but Lana’s cries brought me back.

The real blow wasn’t their laughter. It was the echo of my baby’s sobs. It tore through me like claws raking my heart open.

A tear slipped free from my face and splashed onto Lana’s blanket. I hurriedly wiped it away, terrified it might soak through to her skin. My hands were filthy, the grime leaving dark streaks across the fabric. My heart twisted. I couldn’t even hold my own daughter without dirtying her.

Her tiny face was red from crying, and all I could do was hold her tighter, whispering broken apologies into her hair. My knees gave way, and I sank into the puddle, the icy water seeping through my clothes. I didn’t care.

The memory of few seconds ago came flooding back in my mind.

Nathan and her. The woman I’d called sister. Sitting together in that car like they belonged to each other.

I’d loved the wrong man, trusted the wrong wolf. And this, this was what love had earned me. A broom, a puddle and the world’s laughter ringing in my ears.

But Lana... my sweet pup. She was innocent. She deserved better than the wreck I’d become.

I pulled her close, hugging her tightly to my chest.

The scarf slipped from my head as I rocked her, exposing my face. I saw the pity flicker in the onlookers’ eyes, those who weren’t laughing anymore. My features might have once turned heads, but the scar down my left cheek told another story now. One of betrayal from people I once considered family.

Just then, a man approached me.