bChapter /b142

Aria’s POV

I knew Grayson would leave for Spike Hill Pack early the next morning for I’s trial.

I sat in the dark, waiting.

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At dawn, I heard the sound of his Rolls Royce pulling away from the mansion. I stayed still until the engine faded into silence, then pushed myself up and went to the window.

The chill of the morning breeze hit me in the face, snapping me wide awake. I took in a long breath, staring at the skyline slowly being lit by the first rays of sunlight, just letting myself enjoy the rare calm for a moment.

And then. I climbed onto the windowsill and swung myself out.

Thending wasn’t quiet. I hit the ground hard, but thankfully the thick flowerbeds below my window softened the fall. A patrol guard had just turned a corner. He didn’t hear the noise.

I crouched low among the flowers, holding my breath, waiting.

No sounds. No footsteps.

When I was sure it was safe, I straightened just enough and started sneaking toward the gates-

“Stop right there!”

SHIT.

I

spun

around. A soldier stood behind me, holding a shlight right at my face.

“Lady Aria,” he said, polite but firm. “Alpha’s orders were clear. You are to remain in your room.”

“I just wanted to take walk in the garden,” I shot back with themest excuse ever.

His face stayed nk. He clearly didn’t buy it. “In that case, please allow me to keep youpany.”

Anger boiled up in me. What the hell was Grayson thinking? Was he nning to lock me up like some damn prisoner every time I pissed him off?

“I’m his girlfriend, not a criminal or something. What gives you the right to lock me in my room?” I snapped.

“I’m sorry, mydy,” he said coldly. “You’ll have to take that up with the Alpha. I only follow orders.”

That “mydy” somehow made me even angrier. I was about to tell him he’d have to drag me back kicking and screaming when another voice cut in.

“It’s fine. Alpha just texted me. Lady Aria has permission to move freely,” Nova said, stepping out from around the corner.

18:55 Fri, bOct /bb3 /b

The soldier frowned, obviously reluctant. “But the orders I received were-

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“Alpha messaged me directly. Whose info do you think matter more, yours or mine?” Nova snapped.

He flinched at the weight of her authority. After all, she was an elder now. “O–Of course, yours, Elder Nova…”

“Good. Then step aside. I’ll take it from here.”

The guard bowed and backed off. I stood there, silent, and waited for him to igo /iaway. When his footsteps finally faded, I rushed toward Nova, grabbing her hands.

“Shh.” She smiled, putting a finger to her lips.

“What are you even doing here? I thought I was so screwed!” I whispered.

“I heard Alpha went to Spike Hill alone. I figured you might need some help,” she said, tugging me along quickly. “Come on, let’s leave this ce before these dumbasses figure out what’s going on.”

She hustled me out of the mansion and into her car.

We sped down the road, dodging morning traffic, and made it to the airport by 8.

“Here.”

At the airport, she shoved the ticket and passport into my hands, then pulled me into a tight hug. “Sorry, I only managed to get you an economy seatst minute. Hope everything goes well at the trial. I really want you ito /iwin against I.”

I clung to her, guilt and gratitude churning inside me. “Thank you, Nova. Really. But… won’t this get you into trouble? You’re going against Grayson’s orders. You know how serious that can be.”

Her smile turned sly. “Sometimes I think Alpha actually wants you to defy him. Maybe me helping you is exactly what he wants.”

I blinked at her. “What? That makes zero sense. He gets furious every time I break his rules.”

“Alpha Grayson’s aplicated man. The traumas he’s been through… they make him hard to read. Honestly, sometimes I think even he doesn’t know what he wants. Like this–he left you behind, but if you show up, I wouldn’t be surprised if he was secretly pleased.”

I stared at her. Really? Because I seriously doubted that.

“Well, if he’s not happy, we’re both screwed,” I muttered with a bitter smile.

Sheughed. “Let’s hope not. Safe journey, Aria.”

I said goodbye, then boarded the ne.

13 hours from Red Stone Pack to Spike Hill. Economy ss was cramped and miserable, but I had noints. As long as it got me there.

b18:55 /bbFri/bb, /bbOct /bb3 /b

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The woman in the seat next to me was watching the news. Unsurprisingly, I’s trial was the headline. Spike Hill was already packed with nobles and elders. Any celebrities you could name, they were there.

And of course, my name was in the news too. They never wasted a chance to drag me into the spotlight. The report was reying:

“Just a few days ago, Aria Collins’s mother created a scandal outside Red Stone Packhouse. She demanded, and we quote: ‘If you won’t marry my daughter, then pay me a billion‘ Grayson’s people are scrambling to erase the video online. Is Alpha ashamed of his would–be mother–inw?”

“Oh my god, can you believe that Aria Collins?” the woman beside me whispered to her friend. “It was bullshit enough that Alpha Grayson even dated her. Now she wants him to marry her? Pathetic. An Alpha would never marry a trash like that.”

“I bet she’s in on it with her mom,” the friend sneered. “Her mom pushes the marriage thing while she ys the poor, pitiful girlfriend. Ugh fucking disgusting. I hope she gets raped and murdered, and her body dumped in a fucking sewer.”

I tugged my hood lower over my face and sank deeper into my seat… If only they knew Aria Collins herself was sitting right next to them.

Truth to be told, I’d grown numb to this kind of venom. Being with Grayson meant dealing with hate every single day. And my mothering alng only made it worse. I honestly didn’t know how much longer I could. hold everything together before I broke.

Hourster, the nended at Spike Hill. I didn’t rush to find Grayson. If he spotted me, he’d probably send me straight back on the next flight. Better to stay hidden for now, watch, wait.

But things didn’t go as nned. Before I even cleared immigration, a guard stopped me.

“What do you mean I need an invitation to enter?” I asked in disbelief.

“All the nobles are here for the trial. To control the crowds and ensure safety, only invited guests may enter Spike Hill territory,” the staffer said, eyeing me suspiciously. “You don’t have an invitation, do you?”

“…No.” My stomach dropped. Was I really about to be sent back?

“Then let me see your documents,” he ordered.

I reached for my passport instinctively, then froze. Should I let him know I was the Aria Collins? Judging from what I’d heard on the ne, I was practically public enemy number one. Not exactly smart to expose myself here.

My hesitation was all it took to spark his suspicion. “What’s wrong? Too scared to show me your ID? What are you hiding?b” /b

Before I could exin, he grabbed my arm and yanked me aside. “Come with me. You’re probably some assassin or spy sent from another pack.”

“Wait, it’s not like that!” I protested, a hint of panic flooding me. Shit. I couldn’t get detained here. This was I’s turf–it was way too dangerous. “I can exin, just let me-”

5:55 bFRI/bb, /bbUCI /bb3 /b

b“/bYou can exin in the interrogation room,” he snapped. “I knew you looked shady.”

“Wait!” A new voice cut through from behind our backs.

We both spun around.

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The crowd parted, revealing a small group of people. At the center stood a tall woman in a white Chanel suit, a veil covering her face. Her presence radiated elegance. She looked like a goddess just standing there.

“Release this girl. She’s with me,” she said, her voice soft yetmanding.

“Lady Quentina!” I blurted.

That mysteriousdy from Frostpine Pack.

I had no idea she would be here.

bAD /b

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