Chapter 114
Chapter 114
Aria’s POV
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“Oh my god. I cannot believe you are doing this again!” Isla’s face was full of anger. “Accusing me of another crime before I even walk into the room? You have a problem, Aria.”
But I was sure of it. She was the one behind this.
I mean–who else wants me dead right now?
“Where were you tonight?” I demanded, stepping in on her.
She blinked, then got even angrier. “Are you serious? You’re seriously interrogating me right now?”
I held her gaze, searching for the tiniest evidence to prove that she might be lying. “If you’re innocent, why be afraid of questions? Just answer my damn question.”
“Because I don’t like being treated like a criminal,” she snapped. Then she stepped back and raised her voice to Gayson. “If anyone wants to question me, it will be done under noble protocol–at my homeland’s court, before my rock’s elders. I will not accept any other method. So get your girlfriend to stop, Grayson.”
Yet his voice was very cold. “I think you should just answer the question, Isla.”
“What? You’re letting her humiliate me like that? What about my pride—”
He rose to his full height, his presence strong and intimidating like a war god. “Right now, I don’t care about anyone’s fucking pride. The only think I care about is who hurt Aria. And it’s such a simple question, Isla.”
Her chest rose and fell rapidly in anger, as if she were doing everything she could to hold her anger.
Then, through her teeth, she said: “I was in a meeting, all right? It’s about my new gallery. I can provide the entire recordings and minutes. My partners can also testify. I am clean.”
I stared at her intensely. She didn’t look like she was lying.
The knot in my gut cinched tighter. If not her, then who wrecked my brakes?
Maybe…she could have an accomplice.
“Hey,”
Isla suddenly stepped forward and shoved my shoulder. Hard. I was caught under guard and stumbled back, almost went down.
“Isla!” Grayson snarled. He quickly dragged me into his arms as soldiers swarmed and ringed Isla.
“What the hell do you think you’re doing?” Grayson voice went dark like hell.
She stared back at him, her chin tilting high. “That slap should have landed on her face. I only spared her this time out of respect for you, Grayson. But if she EVER accuses me of anything without proof again, I won’t hold back anymore–even if you stand in the way.”
Grayson frowned at her for a long while, then he nodded. “There won’t be a next time. You have
my
word.”
I stood behind him, my hands curled into fists. Anger and helplessness rose in my chest.
This was so damn frustrating. With no proof, Isla could get away with her crime every single time. She could even get
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10:37 Mon, 25 Aug PM ·
Chapter 114
Grayson to promise to leave her alone, and maybe even made him feel sorry for her.
That woman is something else.
“I came to check on your girlfriend. But clearly, my kindness isn’t appreciated. Maybe I should just go,” Isla said chilly.
“This indeed isn’t a good time. Take care of yourself, Isla,” Grayson answered deeply.
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She tipped her head and turned away. Just before she left, her eyes flicked to mine for a very brief second and our gazes met.
I saw it clearly–there’s a cold and malice gleam in her eyes.
Just like that, I knew: she wasn’t going to stop.
Next time she’d go harder. Until I ended up dead in her hands.
Watching her back disappear down the hall, my heartbeat quickened. I needed to be ready for what’s coming after me next. I needed protection.
I turned to Grayson. “Can you spare a few guards? I don’t think the killer is going to stop.”
“I agree.” he said darkly. “It’s already been arranged.”
Grayson snapped his finger, and a mountain of a man stepped forward. He was by far the largest man I knew. He’s thick with muscle, broad as a doorframe, every inch of him battle–hardened.
This man looked familiar. Then I recognized who he was: the night we dismantled the machine at Otto’s facility, he was the one stationed outside Isla’s door.
“This is Glen, my head of security. Starting today he’ll be guarding you,” Grayson said, squeezing my hand. “Glen, I want yea to protect Ms. Collins at all costs. Do not let me down.”
“I won’t, Alpha,” Glen answered in a cool, emotionless voice.
I studied him. His was like carved stone, stern and unreadable. He didn’t even glance my way. Okay, definitely not the chatty
type.
Just then, the doctor came out. Nova’s operation was over and it was very successful. I wanted to rush into the room and check on her right now, but the doctor said we could only look through the glass for now.
Nova was laying still in there, not yet awake. Only the fog on her oxygen mask told me she was breathing.
Seeing her like that made my eyes sting again.
“She’s a good person, you know? Very, very loyal. If not for me, she would’ve been fine…” I whispered against the glass, choking.
Grayson smoothed a hand over my hair. “Nova’s been my assistant long enough. Fifteen years if I remember correctly. This might be the perfect time to promote her.”
“That promotion better be good.”
“Very good,” he promised. “A female elder recently retired. There’s an open seat. I think Nova would be interested in joining the council.”
I gasped.
The council?!
10:37 Mon, 25 Aug 6 PM.
Chapter 114
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That’s the powerful circle in the pack! Those people could advise the Alpha, even govern the members when the Alpha is absent. It’s not easy to become an elder. Those seats always belong to the oldest bloodlines in the park.
I couldn’t believe he wanted to make Nova an elder.
“OMG–seriously?” 1 bounced up and wrapped my arms around his neck. “You can do that? It’s not against rule or anything?”
His arm went around my waist. “A bit of a grey area. Elders are usually distinguished and older. Nova’s young, yes. But she came from a decent family, and I trust she’ll hold her seat just fine.”
“That’s amazing. Thank you. Thank you!” I hugged him tighter.
I knew Nova didn’t save me for a promotion. But still, I wanted to repay her somehow. And a seat at the council seemed like the best gift I could ever give her.
“She saved you, which means she saved my life as well. So no need to thank me for anything.” he murmured, kissing me on the forehead. “Truth is, I’ve been thinking about this for a while already. The current council fights me at every turn. I need to swap a few of those old bastards out. That way when you face the council someday, you have at least one friendly face in that room.”
“You think I’ll be facing the council one day?” I scrunched my nose. Those are not charming people.
“Of course. Because you’re my girlfriend. When an event requires a Luna’s presence, I want you there.” he said.
I almost choked on my own saliva.
W–Wait.
What did he just say???
He said he wanted me to take the Luna’s place. He’s not… proposing, is he?!
AD
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