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I look at Aria, truly look at her this time, not as the heir to the Hart coven, but as the woman who cares for a man she clearly shouldn’t. Everyone knows what happened to her mother; it was the talk of the town when she left with a wolf and abandoned her children.
“And what is he to you?”
“He’s my goddess-blessed mate,” she says, her shoulders slumping slightly as the words leave her lips, as though she’s been holding on to them for far too long.
I didn’t expect that. Witches are different; their connection isn’t as all-consuming as with ours, some even miss the calling altogether, especially when there are other factors at play—like her grandmother’s hatred of wolves, it seems.
I glance up at Arsenio, a silent conversation passing between us as his amber eyes soften. I knew the instant she said Greyson is pack that I would help her, but that voice from earlier caused me to pause. This is it, the feeling of rightness, of support that I felt earlier is back in full force, and I know what I need to do.
Her mate. I too would search every corner for help if it was one of my mates in trouble. Which brings me back to the reason I went to Glenda in the first place.
“Fine. I’ll help you, Aria Hart,” I say, my eyes gleaming with resolve as I trail a finger over the silver inlaid dagger strapped to my leg. “But I need you to do something for me first.”
What better revenge than getting the bitch’s own granddaughter to work against her? Goddess, please be right about this.
Chapter Twenty-Three
Skylar
Sinkingintotheplushblack leather office chair, I set my laptop on the desk and take a moment to let my new surroundings set in. The office is nearly a duplicate of Everett’s, the same size, with the same frosted windows, chair, and desk … and of course, it’s right next to his. I don’t know if they had to move someone out of here or if it was always empty, but I can’t help the suspicion that rears its ugly head as I consider his motives. I really don’t need the grumpy asshole in my business all the time, nor do I need him complaining if I’m making too much noise … because who knows what I might get up to in here, especially considering what almost happened last night with Arsenio in my office at the club, and what happened with Zayn the night I mistook him for his brother …
Yeah, offices seem to be my weakness, and I can’t see that fact changing anytime soon.
I push down those memories, knowing I need to focus on work today, and ease open my laptop. The screen lights up, and I type in my password, glancing at my phone to make sure Silas emailed over the documents. Today is all about diving back into the pack’s inner workings before Silas goes back out to visit Louis on the farm tomorrow.
The documents are there, of course, along with a few text messages I hadn’t seen before. A huff of exasperation slips from my lips as I read the name at the top of the list.
Vivian.
I knew it was wishful thinking to hope I could get a few more days without the step-monster bothering me.
Vivian:Skylar, you need to come back to the manor. Think about your family.
Vivian:I know Monte really misses you.
I can’t help but roll my eyes at the messages, my teeth grinding at her meddling.
Exiting out of that conversation, I push it to the back of my mind. I have enough to deal with right now; I don’t need to add placating that woman to my long list of things to do.
My finger hesitates over the next name, debating if I should even open the text from Monte. There wasn’t any increased security around the bear’s compound the other night, meaning I should trust him, right? My stomach twists, but I click the message anyway. Something doesn’t sit right with the thought of trusting him, but I have to keep up appearances. He’ll know something is up if I just flat-out ignore him.
Monte:Sky, can we talk? I hate this distance.
Monte:I want to apologize, plus we need to discuss Isabella’s progress.
I grimace at those words, not wanting to have that conversation yet. If he tells me that her training is completed, I won’t have any excuse to keep an eye on him.
Skylar:We’ll set up a time in a few days.
I exit the messages and switch to the phone, pressing Isabella’s number. With everything going on, I haven’t had a chance to follow up with her. I know Silas has been keeping an eye on the situation, but I need to know if there’s been any unusual activity or reason for suspicion before I even think about talking to Monte.
The ring vibrates through the speaker, my nerves growing each time it goes unanswered. My stomach sinks as her voicemail echoes over the line, and I hang up and try again, unable to shake the feeling of unease turning my blood to ice in my veins.
“Hey, it’s Skylar,” I say the moment the tone sounds on her voicemail. “Give me a call back when you have a second.”
I disconnect and immediately scroll to Silas’s contact.
“Alpha, did the documents come through okay?” Silas answers on the second ring.
