“Selena,” I interrupted, my voice steady. “Has claimed what you’ve allowed her to. You think I don’t see what she’s doing? The photo in the group chat, the comments, the way she clings to you—it’s all calculated. And you let it happen.”
He took a step closer, his voice softening. “Ellie, it’s not what you think. She’s part of the pack, and as Alpha, I have a responsibility to—”
“Don’t.” I raised a hand to stop him. “Don’t insult me by pretending this is just about pack business. You made your choice, Nicho. Now, I’m making mine.”
Aria’s POV
The ash still smoldered faintly at my feet as Nicho’ anger melted into what looked like regret. His eyes, so familiar yet distant, dimmed under the fading moonlight. He adjusted his shirt collar, trying to regain the calm aura of an Alpha, but I wasn’t fooled. His erratic heartbeats betrayed him, it kept pounding so fast.
I brushed the soot from my hands and stood, meeting his gaze. My voice was steady, devoid of any warmth. “It’s fine. I saw bugs crawling in the album, maybe cockroaches, so I burned it.”