Chapter 32
349words
Until every submission went unanswered. Aria began doubting her talent. I had to make her stop.
The bridge she was trying to build—Thornfield had already burned it from their end.
Aria just nodded quietly. Never brought it up again.
During that time, my mood was darker than ever.
Then this two-faced bastard Ethan Cross started hanging around Aria. All cultured and sophisticated to her face, but behind her back, constantly bragging about how he could give her a better life.
I was livid. Nearly destroyed our kitchen chopping vegetables one night.
I had everything planned out.
Turn twenty-two, marry Aria. After graduation, get a stable government job. Spend our lives together.
A government job.
Hah.
The Thornfield Pack never saw that coming!
But when I turned twenty-two, I didn't marry her after all.
"Heard you and your little human are registering next week?"
Ethan Cross cornered me out of nowhere.
Smiled like he knew something I didn't. Said he had a gift for me.
In the empty classroom next door—
The entire room was filled with Aria's paintings from the past few years.
"Not like you, you freeloading Alpha." Smug bastard. "I've been quietly buying up all of Aria's work. Every single piece!"
I stood frozen in the doorway.
He patted my cheek condescendingly. "So if you think about it, even your marriage registration fee came from me, didn't it?"
"So is Aria really your wife or mine?"
My vision went black with rage.
"Her body's quite nice, isn't it? Waist so soft? And when she—"
I grabbed his throat, slammed him down, sending desks crashing across the room.
I raised my fist to smash his face. The bastard actually laughed.
"Yes, hit me! Do it!"
"Ten-day detention minimum. When you get out, whose bed do you think Aria will be in?"
He lowered his voice to a whisper. "You two into anything kinky? Is she sensitive when you—"
The hallway was filling with curious onlookers.
My fist hovered there for what felt like eternity.
Finally, I slowly released him.
