Chapter 9

Aria POV

That day, I tried to motivate my coworkers. But every time I’d ask for help or suggest something to help improve the workflow around the office, I’d just be met with the same sidelong glances and snide comments as before.

Eventually, I gave up. It was five o’clock by that point anyway, so I grabbed my things and went home, glad to be out of that judgmental environment for a little while.

But I wasn’t home for long before a text from Darren came through.

“Can you come to my office?”

I frowned at my phone as I lounged on my couch, wrapped up in a blanket. It was past seven o’clock, well after my scheduled hours, and Darren was already texting me.

“I just got home,” I replied, feeling a little frustrated.

A moment later, another text came through: “I can come to you. It’s important. Address?”

I sighed and sent it to him. “Just so you know,” I added at the end, “I won’t allow after-hours house calls forever.”

Three bubbles, and then: “I know. It’ll just be this one time, I promise.”

Without responding, I tossed my phone aside and laid my head back on the pillow. Outside, the sky had long since gone dark, but the sounds of the city went on unhindered. A box of half-eaten pizza and an open bottle of wine that I’d picked up on my way home to celebrate my first day of work sat on the coffee table.

For a moment, I allowed myself to picture it—inviting Darren in for some wine and pizza. No doubt he’d refuse, or at least complain that the stuff was cheap.

But after seeing those muscles today, after feeling those arms around me…

A girl could fantasize, couldn’t she?

Suddenly, there was a knock on the door. Sighing, I climbed to my feet and padded over to the door, flinging it open.

“What, were you sitting on the curb—”

My words caught in my throat as I saw that it was not Darren who awaited me, but… Jackson. My ex.

“Hey, babe.” Jackson gave me a lopsided grin, arms reaching for me. “I’ve missed you.”

Darren POV

“Hey, babe… I’ve missed you.”

“Jackson? Are you drunk?”

“Just drunk on loving you.”

“You reek of alcohol.”

I stopped just around the corner to Aria’s apartment. Lucas, who had been trotting alongside me, stopped as well at my command.

“Why are we stopping, Dad?”

I held a hand out, instinctively sniffing the air. I could smell it from here: fear. Humans had no control over their scents, and so the breeze coming down the street now was practically cloying with the stuff.

“Can I come in?” A man’s voice. “I’ve missed you so much… Please, I just want to talk.”

Aria’s voice responded tightly, “No. We’re done, Jackson. Go home—to your wife.”

I frowned as I leaned against the side of the building, listening. An ex, perhaps? It must have been a contentious breakup if Aria was responding like this. And that word echoed in my mind: wife. She didn’t seem like the type to knowingly become a married man’s mistress.

“I don’t want her anymore. I want you, Aria. I miss your body… Remember how good we used to fuck? We could have that again.”

“Don’t touch me.” I could scent even more fear radiating off of Aria now. The sound of shoes scraping against the pavement indicated a minor scuffle, and I carefully peered around the corner to see Aria shoving the man away.

Anger began to course through me, hot and unbidden, at the sight of him trying to touch her.

“Come on, baby—”

“I’m not your baby. I never was. I was just a plaything for you.” She took a step back and began to shut the door, but Jackson stuck his foot out and stopped it from closing fully.

“Dad, I think she’s in trouble,” Lucas whined. “I think we should save her!”

“No.” I held a hand out to my son. “Not unless she really needs us.”

“But—”

“I said no, Lucas.”

My son whined in protest, hackles raising. Even my own inner wolf was urging me to intervene, anger taking hold of me, but I stopped myself. This wasn’t my battle to fight; Aria seemed capable enough.

“Fuck off, Jackson!” Aria pulled the door back and slammed it against his foot, causing him to grunt in pain, but he just used the opportunity to force himself closer to her.

“Baby, just talk to me! I miss you so much! C’mon, don’t be such a prude!”

“No! Get out of my house!!”

Suddenly, before I could stop him, Lucas was barking and bolting around the corner. I lunged after him, but it was too late; he charged headfirst into the apartment, resulting in a cacophony of barks, curses, and confusion.

“Dammit,” I whispered, running after him.

I burst into the apartment to see quite the scene in front of me; Lucas’s body pressed between Aria and her ex, fangs bared. Aria’s wide eyes. And the ex…

Well, seeing him up close like this, he really did look like a little punk.

“Darren,” Aria breathed, her eyes widening. “Thank Go—”

“Who the hell are you?” Jackson whirled on me, but jumped back as Lucas bit his pantleg and ripped the fabric. “Ack! Damn dog—” He pulled his leg back to kick at Lucas. At my son.

I’d had enough—finally, I let my fury take over. Resisting the urge to bare my own fangs, I surged forward and shoved the fucker back. Hard. Hard enough to send him careening back against the wall and onto his ass.

I don’t know why I did what I did next.

But I wrapped my arm around Aria’s waist and pulled her flush against my body.

She was so… warm. And slender. And a perfect fit up against me.

“Hey, baby,” I said without even thinking. “Looks like I came just in time.”

Aria’s face took on a deep shade of red, delicate lips opening and closing wordlessly. I continued to hold her, although I didn’t know why. I just knew that I had to.

“You have a new boyfriend already?” Jackson struggled to his feet, rubbing his head where he’d hit it on the wall. Aria remained silent, her big green eyes darting back and forth between the two of us.

“Yes, she does,” I replied without considering my words once more. “Is that a problem for you, asshole?”