Chapter 36
Aria’s POV
It was Diana who called.
“Update,” she said without preamble, and I could hear the glee in her voice.
“Clara called me eleven times today. ELEVEN. I finally answered just to tell her I quit effective immediately. The look on her face when I hung up? PRICELESS p>
Not Damian. Of course not Damian.
“You’re my hero,” I said, managing a laugh. “Enjoy the beach p>
There was a pause. “You okay? You sound off p>
I stared out the window for a long moment.
“Just tired p>
“Hey.” Diana’s voice softened. “Buck up, boss. “
I smiled despite myself. “Thanks. Talk soon p>
“Love you, Aria. Get some rest p>
After she hung up, I tossed the phone back onto the couch.
Tomorrow, I told myself. Tomorrow I’d figure out Nova Enterprises. Figure out how to build something from nothing, prove to Nathan and Sylvia that I deserved my place atV&A Group.
Tomorrow I’d be the strong, independent woman who didn’t need anyone.
Tonight, though? Tonight I’d just be tired. And maybe a little lonely.
And that was okay.
The sharp buzz of my phone woke me the next morning.
I cracked one eye open, squinting at the sunlight streaming through the curtains. My hand fumbled across the nightstand until I found it.
Three missed calls. All from Damian.
My heart did something stupid in my chest—a little flip that I immediately hated myself for.
I stared at his name on the screen, thumb hovering over the callback button.
What would I even say? “Hey, sorry I didn’t answer, I was busy pretending I don’t care about you p>
No.
*Business first,* I told myself firmly. *Complicated Alpha King feelings later p>
With a sigh, I set the phone face-down on the nightstand and dragged myself out of bed.
Today was day one of Nova Enterprises. I had exactly zero employees, zero office space, and a business plan that currently consisted of “figure it out as you go p>
No pressure.
An hour later, I was dressed and ready—tailored black blazer, crisp white blouse, dark jeans that somehow managed to look professional.
My hair was pulled back in a neat ponytail, and I’d applied just enough makeup to hide the evidence of last night’s restless sleep.
I looked like someone who had her shit together.
Fake it till you make it, right?
I grabbed my bag and headed out, locking the apartment behind me.
I stopped short when I reached the V&A Group building,because standing near the front doors, looking completely out of place and absolutely determined, were four very familiar faces.
Diana. Leo. Jennifer. And Kyle.
My former team from Silver Creek Pack.
I blinked, certain I was hallucinating. “What—what are you doing here p>
Diana stepped forward first, arms crossed, that familiar fierce look in her eyes. “We’re here because of last night’s call p>
“What about it?” I asked slowly.
“You sounded off,” Diana said, studying my face. “Really off. And after everything that’s been going down with Clara going psycho and Silver Creek falling apart, we figured something bigger was happening p>
Leo nodded. “You’re not the type to just sound defeated unless you’re dealing with some serious shit p>
My stomach dropped. “I’m fine p>
“Bullshit,” Jennifer cut in. “We’ve worked with you for three years. We know when you’re putting on a brave face p>
Kyle stepped forward. “So what’s going on? What aren’t you telling us p>
I stared at them, my throat suddenly tight. They’d actually shown up because they were worried about me. Because they’d heard something in my voice that I thought I’d hidden.
“You… came all this way because you thought I needed help p>
“Obviously,” Diana said, like it was the most natural thing in the world. “You think we were going to just ignore it when our boss sounds like she’s drowning p>
“But you work for Silver Creek p>
“Not for much longer,” Leo said firmly. “We’re planning to leave the Pack. All of us p>
My jaw dropped. “You’re WHAT p>
“We can’t stay there,” Jennifer said. “Not after what they did to you. Not after seeing how they really operate p>
“But your families, your bonds p>
“Will understand,”Leo interrupted. “Yeah, there’s paperwork and some awkward conversations, but we’ve made up our minds p>
Kyle nodded. “Yeah, they will get it p>
Jennifer nodded too. “My bond with Silver Creek was always weak. I only stayed because of the job. Now the job’s with you p>
I looked at Diana. “And you p>
She met my eyes steadily. “You gave me a chance when no one else would. Believed in me when I was just some random wolf with a marketing degree and no connections. I’m not abandoning you now p>
Something cracked open in my chest—something warm and overwhelming that I’d been trying so hard to keep locked away.
“I can’t pay you,” I said quietly. “Not yet. Nova Enterprises has no clients, no contracts, nothing. “
“We’ll figure it out,” Diana said simply.
“But p>
“Will be fine,” Leo cut in. “Aria, we’re not kids. We made this choice knowing the risks. We want to be here p>
“Why?” The word came out barely above a whisper.
Diana smiled. “Because you’re the best damn leader we’ve ever had p>
I felt my eyes sting.
Stop it, I told myself firmly. You don’t cry in public. You don’t show weakness.
But damn, it was hard.
“Thank you,” I managed, my voice rough. “I—thank you p>
“So,” Diana said briskly, clearly sensing I was about two seconds from losing it. “What’s the plan, boss p>