Chapter 145
Aria’s POV
Damian and his mother were right behind me—we’d all arrived together.
Nathan had sent me an invitation to Sylvia’s dinner party, and though I’d considered declining, Luna Elena had insisted we attend as a united front.
We’d barely made it past the entrance when I’d spotted the commotion and recognized the two women at its center.
The moment I saw Alpha Crane strike Emily, I moved without thinking, pulling Emily away from Alpha Crane and stepping between them.
I hadn’t expected Emily to be Alpha Crane’s adopted daughter. That certainly explained some things about her attitude.
“Miss Smith Alpha Crane’s expression shifted the moment he recognized me, his anger banking into something more controlled.
“I apologize for this disruption. I didn’t want to make a scene, but this girl is impossible to discipline. She pushed me too far p>
“I understand completely.” I kept my tone light, sympathetic even.
“Every family has its challenges. But Emily works for me, and as they say—you don’t discipline someone else’s employee without consulting their employer first p>
My defense of Emily was calculated but genuine. I watched Alpha Crane’s face carefully as Vanessa’s swollen cheek caught my attention.
The slap had definitely landed hard.
“Miss Smith, this is a family matter and doesn’t concern you!” Vanessa pushed away from her mother, eyes blazing. “Even if I did throw juice on her first, Emily’s the one who got violent! She’s completely out of line p>
Emily’s gaze had drifted past me to where Lucas stood with the other guests. The moment she noticed him watching, she wrenched herself free from my grip.
“This isn’t your problem. You don’t need to defend me p>
I didn’t take it personally. Emily had always been prickly about accepting help.
Besides, I could read the real issue in her body language—she was humiliated that Lucas was seeing her like this, drenched and disheveled and cornered.
Based on my observations at work, Emily and Lucas maintained strict professional distance. They never interacted beyond what was absolutely necessary, treating each other like polite strangers.
But the way Emily had reacted just now, the way she’d specifically noticed Lucas in the crowd… there was definitely history there I didn’t know about.
“I’m not defending you specifically,” I said evenly, shifting to block Emily from the Cranes’ line of sight.
“But this is my family’s event, and I’m both your employer and the hostess. That gives me every right to mediate p>
I softened my voice, making it gentle and reasonable. “Emily, could you do me a favor? Let me help you find something clean to wear p>
The diplomatic approach made it harder for Emily to refuse without looking childish. She gave a tight nod, clearly wanting nothing more than to escape.
I’d intervened, so Alpha Crane and his Luna wouldn’t push further. But Vanessa wasn’t finished.
“So she slaps me and just walks away?” Vanessa’s voice climbed higher, tears making her words thick.
“Where does that leave me? This is ridiculous, Miss Smith. You’re clearly taking Emily’s side, and that’s not fair p>
“I saw what happened,” I replied calmly. “You threw juice on her. She slapped you. By my count, you’re even p>
“That’s not p>
“Miss Crane.” Damian’s voice cut through Vanessa’s protest like a knife through butter. “I believe Miss Smith made herself clear p>
The temperature seemed to drop ten degrees. Every wolf in the vicinity instinctively straightened, responding to the Alpha King’s barely restrained dominance.
Elena stepped forward as well, her presence lending additional weight to our position.
Alpha Crane’s face drained of color. “Alpha King, I… this is a misunderstanding p>
“Is it?” Damian’s tone was mild, but his eyes were pure ice. “Because from where I’m standing, you’re making quite a spectacle at what should be a peaceful family gathering. As a guest in the Smith Pack’s territory, that seems rather… discourteous p>
The implications hit like a freight train. Damian wasn’t just defending Emily—he was questioning Alpha Crane’s basic understanding of protocol and respect.
“You’re absolutely right, Alpha King.” Alpha Crane’s voice came out strangled. “I apologize for the disturbance. This won’t happen again p>
Luna Crane immediately pulled Vanessa back, whispering frantically in her daughter’s ear. Vanessa looked like she’d swallowed glass, but she kept her mouth shut.
“Emily, come with me,” I said quietly, touching her elbow. “Let’s get you cleaned up. I brought extra dresses—one of them should fit you p>
Elena inserted herself smoothly into the group. “What a lovely idea. I’ll accompany you girls. It’ll give us a chance to chat properly p>
She hooked her arm through mine, steering me after Emily with Rick clearing a path ahead of us.
The looks on the Cranes’ faces as we left—as Damian’s own grandmother personally attended to Emily’s dignity—were almost worth the entire uncomfortable scene.
Vanessa looked ready to shatter into pieces. Alpha Crane and his Luna had gone gray.
By the time we were out of sight, heading toward the line of luxury vehicles parked along the estate’s drive, I could hear Vanessa’s voice rising in a shrill, frustrated whine.
“Why would he defend her? Why would Damian Blackwood care about Emily at all p>
Well, that would be because of me.