Chapter 12: Chapter 12 Vincent’s Heir Revealed（VIP）
Aria’s POV
I stood in front of the full-length mirror, smoothing down the emerald silk gown Damian had sent over that morning.
The dress was stunning—off-shoulder, with a fitted bodice that hugged every curve before flowing into an elegant train.
The color matched my eyes perfectly, making them appear even more vivid against my pale skin.
My hair was swept up into an intricate updo, a few loose tendrils framing my face. Diamond earrings—real ones, from Vincent’s collection—glinted at my ears.
I looked like someone who belonged in this world.
For the first time in my life, I actually felt like I did.
My phone buzzed on the vanity.
Damian:[I’ll be there in ten minutes. Ready?]
A smile tugged at my lips as I typed back.
Me:[Almost.]
I slipped on the heels—designer, ridiculously expensive, and surprisingly comfortable. That was Damian had given me.
My phone buzzed again.
Damian: [I’m downstairs.]
I grabbed my clutch and headed for the elevator, pulse quickening with every step.
When the doors opened to the lobby, I saw him immediately.
Damian was standing near the entrance, hands in his pockets, dressed in a perfectly tailored black suit.
His dark hair was styled back, emphasizing the sharp angles of his face.
Those black-gray eyes locked onto me the moment I appeared, and the intensity in them made my breath catch.
He didn’t move. Didn’t speak.
He just stared.
I walked toward him slowly, hyperaware of every set of eyes in the lobby tracking my movements.
When I reached him, his hand came up to cup my jaw, thumb brushing my cheekbone.
"You’re breathtaking," he murmured. "I’m already trying to figure out how soon I can get you out of that dress."
Heat flooded my face. God, he was so crude—but there was something about that roughness that I didn’t hate.
I bit my lip. "Do you say that to every she-wolf?"
A slow smile curled at the corner of his mouth. "Only you, my queen."
My heart stumbled.
I dropped my gaze, took a breath, and looked back up at him. "Let’s go."
He offered his arm, and I took it.
The drive to the venue took thirty minutes.
I tried to focus on the city lights streaming past the window, but all I could think about was the heat of Damian’s body next to mine.
"Nervous?" he asked.
I glanced at him. "Should I be?"
"Half the territory alphas will be there tonight. Including a few who’ve been circling Vincent’s estate like vultures."
"I know."
"And you’re ready?"
I met his eyes. "of course."
Something dark and approving flickered in his gaze. "Good."
His hand found mine, fingers lacing through mine.
"Whatever happens tonight," he said quietly, "you’re not alone."
I squeezed his hand. "I know."
---
The venue was a centuries-old estate with golden light spilling from tall windows and a string quartet’s melody drifting through the evening air.
As our car approached, I spotted security guards at the entrance. Behind them—my stomach dropped.
Ethan.
He was arguing with a guard, face flushed, suit wrinkled, hair disheveled.
"Let me in. I’m the Alpha of Silver Creek Pack. I have urgent business—"
"Sir, this is invitation-only. If your name isn’t on the list—"
"I don’t need to be on any damn list! I’m an Alpha—"
"There are twenty Alphas on the list, sir. You’re not one of them."
I nearly laughed.
When our car stopped, Damian’s hand tightened around mine. "Stay close," he murmured with unmistakable authority.
The moment we stepped out, every conversation stopped. Even among Alphas, Damian’s presence cut through like a silent blade. His arm slid around my waist—natural, possessive.
We walked toward the entrance as guests unconsciously parted. No one dared meet Damian’s gaze.
Then Ethan saw me.
"Aria?" His eyes went wide, seeing a ghost.
I kept walking, gaze fixed ahead.
"Aria!" He shoved past the guard. "Wait—"
Damian stopped. So did I.
Ethan skidded to a halt, eyes raking over my black silk gown, diamond necklace, and finally, the man beside me. When he recognized Damian, all arrogance evaporated.
He bowed deeply. "Alpha King. It’s an honor."
Damian inclined his head slightly. "Alpha Holt."
Two words. Cold indifference that made their status difference painfully clear.
Ethan turned to me, deference replaced by contempt. "How did you even get in here?"
Before I could answer, Damian spoke.
"I invited her."
His tone was calm. Flat. Final.
Ethan’s eyes widened fractionally, but he quickly schooled his expression. He turned back to Damian, forcing a smile that didn’t reach his eyes.
"Alpha King, I apologize for my Luna’s behavior." He gestured toward me as if I were a misbehaving child. "She’s... inexperienced with events like this. I should have arrived sooner to guide her."
My blood boiled.
How dare he. Most of Silver Creek’s events were organized by me.
"Aria tends to be impulsive," Ethan continued, his eyes flicking dismissively over me.
"She doesn’t always understand the consequences of her actions. I’m sure you understand, Alpha King—she’s only a human, after all. She needs proper supervision."
He paused, then added smoothly, "If you’ll allow me, I’d like to speak with her privately for a moment."
I opened my mouth to refuse, but before I could get a word out, Ethan’s hand shot out and clamped around my wrist.
Hard. His fingers dug into my skin as he yanked me a step away, forcibly separating me from Damian.
I gasped, a sharp pain shooting through my wrist.
"You’re the Luna of Silver Creek Pack," Ethan hissed, his voice low and accusing.
"You represent me. The entire pack. And you show up to the most important event of the year on another Alpha’s arm?"
He leaned closer, his tone taking on that patronizing edge I knew so well—like he was scolding a disobedient child. "I know you’re upset about the thing with my mother, but this is childish, Aria. Reckless."
I stared at him. "Reckless."
"Yes. Reckless." He stepped even closer, completely ignoring the ice in my gaze. "You should have introduced me to the Alpha King first. But fine. I’ll let it slide this time."
He paused, as if bestowing a generous favor.
"We’ll go in together. And then you’ll help me build a good relationship with Vincent’s heir. I heard she’s human too. You two should have plenty to talk about."
I stood frozen.
Not because of what he was asking, but because of the sheer audacity in his tone—as if every word he’d just said was perfectly reasonable.
"You’re... forgiving me?" I repeated slowly, disbelief dripping from every syllable.
"Of course." Ethan said it casually, already tugging on my wrist to pull me toward the entrance.
"I know you’ve been in a mood these past few days. You did some impulsive things. But it’s time to get back on track—"
"No," I said.
His head whipped toward me. "What did you just say?"
"I said no." My voice was calm. Steady. "I’m not going anywhere with you."
His face darkened instantly. "Aria, don’t make this harder than it needs to be. You’re embarrassing yourself."
"The only one embarrassing himself here," I said quietly, "is you."
"You think you can just run away from your responsibilities? From your pack?" His voice rose. "You’re my Luna. You belong to Silver Creek—not parading around on some other—"
He didn’t finish.
Damian moved.
His hand closed around Ethan’s wrist—the one gripping me. The movement wasn’t fast.
If anything, it was slow. Deliberate. But the moment Damian’s fingers tightened, Ethan’s face went white.
"Can’t you see," Damian said softly, his voice carrying to every ear around us, "she doesn’t want to?"
Ethan’s fingers went slack. Not because he wanted to let go, but because he physically couldn’t hold on anymore. He stumbled back a step, his arm hanging limp at his side, trembling.
"This is... this is pack business, Your Majesty." His words came out stuttered, sweat already beading on his forehead. "I’m just fulfilling my duties as an Alpha—"
"She’s my date tonight," Damian interrupted, his tone still calm, still quiet—but laced with absolute authority. "Are you challenging me here?"
The air turned to ice.
Everyone around us held their breath.
Ethan’s face cycled between pale and flushed. He bowed deeply, his voice hoarse.
"Your Majesty, my apologies. I only wanted to look out for my Luna—"
"Then," Damian said, his voice dropping even lower, "apologize to her."
Ethan’s throat worked violently. He turned to me, his expression twisted with barely controlled anger and humiliation.
"I’m sorry," he forced out through clenched teeth.
I rubbed my wrist, studying the red fingerprints on my pale skin. An apology wasn’t enough—not after everything.
"Ethan," I said casually, "you really want to meet Vincent’s heir, don’t you?"
His eyes sharpened with suspicion and desperate hope. "What are you getting at?"
"Ten percent of Silver Creek’s shares," I said simply. "Transfer them to me, and I’ll arrange the meeting."
His face went from white to red. "You can’t be serious."
"How much are those failing contracts worth again?" I tilted my head. "Fifty million? A hundred? Ten percent sounds reasonable."
Ethan’s jaw clenched, his fists trembling at his sides. With Damian watching like a predator, he had no choice.
"Fine," he bit out. "But you guarantee the meeting."
"Transfer the shares first."
His eyes burned with fury, but he nodded stiffly.
I slipped my arm through Damian’s. "Pleasure doing business."
We walked away, leaving Ethan standing alone under the stares of dozens of guests.
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