Chapter b2 /b

Aria’s POV

Of course I recognized him. God, who didn’t?

I’d met him at the Apex g. His bface /bwas on every finance magazine cover, and any time you turned on a TV, there he bwas/b–linked to thetest scandal with some actress or model.

But there was no way he’d know who I was.

“I–I… Hello, Alpha Grayson,” I stammered.

He turned his eyes away and said to a nearby guard, “Escort Ms. Collins out.”

“Yes, Alpha.”

The guards stepped in immediately, stretching out their arms like I was some kind of contaminant that might taint Grayson’s perfectly tailored suit.

Wait a minute. You’re not going to say something about my shirt?b” /bbIt’s /btorn beyond repair and was showing my breasts.

He paused. Just for a brief second. Then flicked something down at my bfeet/b.

I looked down. A nk check.

“I need a shirt that can cover my front. Not your hush money.” I gritted with humiliation.

But he didn’t even nce back and just walked away.

“God,” I muttered under my breath.

Can you believe these rich bastards?

They think they can buy everything with money.

People nearby were all staringb, /bsnickering under their breath. I tried to cover my chest and grab my things to escape, but it was hard to do all that with just two hands.

“Oh my god…Aria Collins?”

Three girls emerged from the whispering crowd. I took one look at them and sighed internally.

Great. Just when I thought today couldn’t get any worse.

“Hello. La. Sabrina. Brielle.” bI /bsaid dryly.

I used to work in the same bteam /bwith these girls back at Apex. We were all under bJace/b.

These girls adored bJace/b. They spent more time flirting with him by the coffee machine than actually working. Which left me doing most

of their work.

After I got fired, and when news of my secret rtionship with bJace /bgot out, they decided I was public enemy number one.

“What are you even doing here, Aria? Trying to win back your ex at his wedding? That’s a new low even for you,” La snickered.

“I’m not here to win anyone back.” I tried to push past them.

But they blocked me.

“What happened to your shirt?” Brielle snickered. “Did you seriously walk in here with your bra out? bIs /bthis like some low–budget fashion statement?b” /b

They burst intoughter together.

9:18 AM

bX /b

“You could bepletely naked and Jace still wouldn’t give a damn,” Sabrina squeaked. “Because he’s marrying Lady Delh. THE Delh Hart! Redstone Pack’s sweetheart. And youb…/bwell you’re just ba /bpoorb–/bass small–town girl.”

I stopped in my track and gave them ba /bcold re, “Oh byeah/b? Well bat /bleast this smalltown girl bactually /bdated Jace. And you all got nothing. Do you know how many times I had to listen to himined about your screechy voices and cheesy perfume after we got home? Apparently he rather be with me than any of you.”

Their jaws dropped.

“Jace would never bsay /bbthat/bb!/b” Brielle cried.

“And my perfume isn’t cheesy!” Sabrina screamed.

“Word for word,” I rolled my eyes. “Now move. Or I’m rolling this suitcase over your pretty little skirts.”

They looked like ruffled chickens, but they parted. I quickly shoved my dingy luggage ahead like a weapon and stormed out of the church.

Rich people were assholesb. /b

Grayson, Jace, and their whole damn minions.

I struggled to get my suitcase down the steps, and once I hit the streetb, /bcold wind pped me in the face.

It’s almost night. But I had no idea where to go.

I could crash in the hospital with my grandma, but she’d ask too many questions. Like why I hadn’t brought Jace around recently, or why I wasn’t staying at my apartment. I didn’t want her to know how bad things had gotten.

I thought about the park. Sleeping on a bench. But in a ripped T–shirt that exposed my whole front? Horrible idea.

So I texted my best friend, May, asking to stay at her ce for a few days. She was my rock. If the whole world turned against me, at least I still had her.

She texted back right away inviting me toe over.

Dragging my suitcase across the street toward the bus stop, I told myself it was going to be okay. This horrible day was going to end.

Then I heard them.

“Hey, nice shirt!”

A group of street wolves were loitering near the stop.

I hugged myself tighter and curled into the bench, hoping they’d get bored and leave.

“C’mon baby, drop your hands. Let us see what you’re working with.”

Go away. Go away. iGo /iawayb. /b

“You rip that shirt yourself? Damn that’s wild. I like that in a girl.” One of them moved closer, reaching for my shoulder.

“Fuck off!” I snapped, my voice shaking.

But it only fired them up.

“Oh, feisty. Shake those tits for me!”

They grabbed my wrists, yanked my arms down. My T–shirt gaped openpletely, revealing myce bra. The cold air made my skin pebble. Theyughed even louder.

I struggled and screamed. My wolf growled in rage.

Shifting in the city was illegal…but right now, I didn’t have ba /bsecond choice…

Just then. Blinding headlights. Followed by screeching tires.

9:18 AM

40

A silver bcar /bskidded to ba /bstop inches away.

The door bflew /bopen. A deep voice thundered:

“Get in.”

bI /bbwas /btoo shocked that I didn’t think twice and obeyed. The car peeled away the second I shut the door.

“My suitcase!” I cried.

“Someone will get it,” he said darkly. “Addressb./bb” /b

I told the driver bMay’s/b, my body still shaking. Then he pressed a button. A privacy screen slid up between the front and back seats, sealing us in the back.

That’s when he turned toward me and leaned in. Like a beast ready to pounce.

His scent hit me. It’s sharp pine mixed with cold metal.

My head started to get dizzy.

Walking on the street in that shirt was a mistake,” he said darkly.

“It got like this because of you,” I mumbled.

He snorted.

Then there’s the sound of rustling fabric. A heavy jacketnded across my shoulders. It was still warm from his body and carried his

scent.

I held my breath.

Wearing his coat almost felt like…he was wrapping himself around me.

“Alpha Grayson…do you know me?” bI /bwhispered.

My gut told me that he would never do this for a strange girl. But if he knew who I was, he must know that I was his sister’s husband’s ex. That didn’t exin why he would help.

“We’ve met,” he said simply.

I stared at him, searching those icy gray eyes. He was staring at me too, with those cold, hungry, possessive eyes. I felt like I waspletely naked in front of him.

“Aria,” he warned, voice thick and husky.

But bI /bcouldn’t control myself.

I was leaning forward.

Shit. Why did my body be so weird?

My skin bwas /bon fire. My panties were bwet/b. All I wanted was more of his scent. More of his heat.

The next second his lips crashed onto mine. Hard. Rough.

I gasped and opened my mouth for him. His tongue slipped in and explored every inch of my mouth, making me shiver. His hands pushed into my torn–shirt and grabbed my breast. I couldn’t control my moan when he touched my naked skin.

This…This bwas /bbcrazy/b.

He was ba /bstranger, and most importantly, my ex’s brother–inw.

And I was making out with him at the back of his car.

The crazy part was I didn’t even want to stop.

9:18 AM

He lifted me onto hisp like I weighed nothing. I straddled his thighs and yanked at his tie as he bit my corbone.

Then, suddenly, the car stopped.

“Alpha, bwe’ve /barrived,” the driver said behind the screen.

That’s when it all froze.

His lips paused at my neck. I was still squirming on hisp, flushed and throbbing. But he shoved me off.

“We can’t do this,” he said coldly.