“Aria, Nicho’s helping me fix the wiring in the den. This place hasn’t been lived in for a while, so there’s a lot to sort out. You should head home; don’t let us hold you up.”
I stared at the screen for a moment before closing the chat. I could already feel the pity bubbling in my chest, threatening to spill over, but I swallowed it down.
As I climbed into the waiting car, another message buzzed through.
“By the way, Aria, please don’t take this the wrong way. Nicho’s just helping me out because he feels sorry for me. It’s hard living alone in a new pack.”
The bitterness rose in my throat as her words echoed in my mind. She wanted me to know how closely she relied on him—and how willingly he answered her calls.
I barely noticed when Nicho called moments later. I picked up, his voice sharp with frustration.
“Aria, why were you so cold to Lina earlier? She’s a subordinate, and it’s my duty to ensure she’s safe. Her situation’s temporary until the pack finds her proper accommodation. Isn’t it normal for me to help her?”