bChapter /b137

Aria’s POV

I had to fly back to Red Stone Pack alone the next day.

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Well–not exactly alone. My mom came with me. Which was irnoic, because she’s thest person I wanted around right now.

She boarded the jet beside me and would not stop gushing about how fancy everything was. In the cabin she had to touch every single surface. Once again I endured our flight attendant’s “is she for real?” looks.

“Can you just sit down already? We’re about to take off.” I finally snapped. Couldn’t help it–she was giving “first time at a mall” energy.

She sniffed, dropped into the seat next to me and crossed her legs. “Well, I’m not as lucky as you. I never snagged a rich, powerful guy, so I don’t get to ride private jets. The men I got were cheap bastards, like your father. Learn from your mother, okay? Lock it down with Alpha Grayson. He’s your one shot at a better life…”

I did not need the same lecture on loop. “Will you stop? Grayson already got driven away by your spiel. You want to push me away too?”

She giggled, grabbed my hand, patted it in an intimate way. “But I know you won’t go anywhere. Because you’re my daughter. Now that we’ve found each other, Mom’s never leaving again.”

I drew a long breath and stared out the window. Goosebumps crawled up my arms. It took everything in me not to yank my hand back.

…She was right about one thing. We were locked together now.

And yet being in the same room with her made me feel suffocated. If I’d known my find–my–mother quest would dump this kind of deadweight on me, I’d have stayed home.

“What really worries me is whether Alpha Grayson even cares about you,” she went on. “Did he call youst night? Or this morning?”

I held out for a few seconds, then answered. “No.”

“Not even one call? And you’re flying home today? Not kidding, but me and my old boyfriend were way clingier than you two. You sure you’re newly in love?”

Deep breath, and I said, “We used to be VERY clingy–until you came along, Mom.”

“Never lose your caution. Men change their hearts faster than you think,” she warned. “While he still loves you, get something for yourself. I know it doesn’t sound ssy or elegant, but that’s how girls at the bottom. make it in this world.”

I don’t know if it was the words, or the fact that–for once–she wasn’t shrieking them, but this time…some of her words slipped in. Just a little.

Is it possible my mom is trying to help me…In her own messed–up wav?

15:34 Sun, Sep b28 /b

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She’s crass, selfish, not presentable. But she is also trying hard to pass on what she knows. And honestly, I’m no society princess myself. Looking down on her felt…wrong.

“Are you listening, Aria?” she pressed.

“… Yeah,” I sighed. “Let me think about it.”

Wended not long after. A car waited on the tarmac, along with a small group of servants and guards.

When I saw Nova out front, I squealed and rushed to her with my arms open.

“OMG! Are you okay now?” I hugged her hard. “Your injuries? All healed?”

She smiled and nodded. “All healed, so don’t worry. I’ve been back at work a while. I heard you wereing and wanted to pick you up myself.”

“You’re an elder now. Can’t have you waste your time on a small thing like this,” I teased. “So….did Grayson send you?”

She hesitated, a flicker of awkwardness crossing her face. “Alpha’s busy today so I haven’t seen him…No, it was my idea toe.”

My heart dipped. She caught my look and rushed to add, “But I’m sure he’s already home waiting.”

I forced a smile. And that’s when my mother’s voice cut in behind us. “My god! This ce is a goddamn ovenpared to Frostpine! Why didn’t you servants bring iced drinks?”

She peeled off her coat and threw it at Nova. “You, go get me an iced lemonade. And be smarter next time. Don’t wait for me to tell you what to do, or I’ll have you expelled. Got it?”

Nova’s face froze. I stared at my mom, stunned. “What the hell are you doing? Nova isn’t a servant!”

“She isn’t?” Mom arched a brow, looked Nova up and down, then snorted. “Well, I couldn’t tell. She looks like a help.”

“Oh my god, Mom. Apologize. Now!” I gritted.

“Again?” Mom yelped, ring at me. “Why do you always make me apologize? I’m your mother. Without a Luna in this pack, I’m basically the second most important woman here. Right after you! I’m not supposed to bow or say sorry to anyone.”

“Mom-”

“It’s okay. I don’t mind,” Nova said smoothly. She offered my mother a professional yet distant smile. “Mrs. Collins, I’m Nova, Alpha Grayson’s assistant. Please get in the car. We’ll take you home.”

And with that, Nova climbed into the first ck SUV. I moved to follow, but my mom grabbed my arm.

“She’s his assistant?” she hissed. “Keep an eye on her, darling. I can tell there’s something shifty between that little skank and your man.”

15:35 Sunb, /bSep b28 /b

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I was literally speechless. “You’ve got to be kidding me. Nova’s like the most professional person I’ve ever met. She risked her life to save me. I won’t let you say a single bad word about her.”

“Damn, you’re such a helpless idiot!” Mom snapped. “It’s always the secretary, you hear me? They spend the most time together and share all the topics. And that Nova? She’s got that slutty, ttering face-”

“Enough.” I cut her off, sharp. “You ride in the second car. I’ll see youter.

I jumped into the first SUV and mmed the door before she could climb in.

“So….that’s your mom,” Nova said, pitying, in the rearview mirror.

I sighed. “I’m sorry.” I never understand why every time I go soft on my mom, she does something to totally set my temper on fire.

“Don’t worry. I honestly don’t mind. I’m just concerned for you. If she stays, you’ll have to bring her into your social circle, right? Imagine what thosedies will say.”

I groaned.

God help me. I could already see my mother making a scene, and me taking all the k. All the mouth- dropping, gasping, and exmation.

“You’re an elder. Can you expel my mom?” I pleaded.

Novaughed. “Sadly, no. But want some good news?”

“By all means, please.” Between my mom, Grayson, and my own illness, I couldn’t remember thest good thing that happened.

“The pre–trial prep is going really well,” Nova told me. “We’ve collected solid evidence on I. They all shows she’s malicious and calcting. Remember Barbara Stansen?”

“Yeah. The supermodel.” That woman imed she was Grayson’s real girlfriend and stalked him until he had her thrown into a mental facility.

“Turns out Barbara wasn’t really crazy. Her im that she was the Alpha’s true love? Not delusion. Because I fed her all those fantasies.”

“What?!” I gasped.

“I know, hard to imagine right? Apparently I sought her out and befriended her so Barbara would leak all kinds of info about the Alpha. And it wasn’t the first time–I’s contacted all his exes over the years. That’s how she kept tabs on him after their divorce.”

A chill slid down my spine.

This isn’t ‘petty ex‘ anymore. It’s terrifying. Scary.

She’s the lunatic. She’s the one who should be in a psych ward.

A

“We have to stop her. Not just for me. For all her victims,” I said through my teeth.

“Couldn’t agree more. With the evidence we have, we’ll make a strong case in court,” she assured me.

When we pulled up to the mansion, I spotted familiar Red Stone guards who worked for Grayson at the door. He was back! My heart leapt–maybe, like Nova said, he’de home early to wait for me.

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I didn’t even wait for the car to stop. I jumped out and hurried inside.

He was there, sitting on the sofa, elbows on his knees, grim. When I came in, he lifted his head. There’s no expression on his gorgeous face.

The whole room felt…grim too. Guards lined the walls. It didn’t look like they were throwing me a wee- home party.

My smile faltered. “W–What’s going on?”

“Where’s your mother?” he asked.

Right on cue, my mom stepped into the foyer. Without even a word from Grayson, guards swarmed her, wrenched her arms back, and forced her to her knees.

“What are you doing?!” she shrieked, struggling. “I’m Aria’s mother! How dare you!”

I stared at this, also stunned. “Grayson, what the hell?”

He stood and walked to her, towering over her. The chandelier cut harsh shadows across his face. In that moment, he looked like a god who decides every being’s life and death. fnee5a The rightful source is f?i?n?d?n?o?v?e?l?/fnee5a

“If you think you have any control over me, you’re wrong,” he said to my mother, ice–cold. “Tell me how you restraint Aria’s wolf years ago, and why you did it. Now.”

My mother trembled, teeth clenched, but she held her ground. “I—I told you my terms. Promise me, and I’ll tell you–AHHHH!”

She screamed as Grayson closed a hand around her throat and lifted her off the floor. Wolf ws burst from his palm, slicing her skin. Blood gushed out bright.

“I wasn’t asking nicely, was I?” His gray eyes stayed cold on her twisted face. “You have onest chance before I rip your throat apart.”