Chapter 24: Chapter 24 Do you really know the V&A Group heir?
Damian’s POV
"What?" my mother breathed.
I pulled up the photo from the gala and turned the screen toward them.
"Her name is Aria Smith. Vincent Smith’s daughter."
My mother’s eyes widened."Damian... she’s beautiful."
My father studied the image for a moment before nodding."Vincent Smith’s heir. That’s quite a match."
"It isn’t about that."
"Perhaps not," he said. "But it certainly doesn’t hurt."
My mother handed the phone back with a smile."When do we get to meet her?"
"Not yet."
"Why not?"
I hesitated."Because she’s still healing."
Their expressions immediately softened.
"Her former mate hurt her," I said quietly. "I’m not going to rush her."
For a moment, neither of them spoke.
Then my father nodded.
"That’s the right approach."
My mother reached over and squeezed my arm."She must be very special."
I looked down at Aria’s photo.
"She is."
My father raised his glass."To your future Queen."
I lifted mine.
"To Aria."
They drank, and I felt something in my chest ease.
They approved. Not that I needed their approval—Aria was mine regardless of what anyone thought.
But it was nice to have their support.
"So," my mother said, settling back into the sofa with a gleam in her eye. "When are you planning to make your move?"
"Soon," I promised. "I want to solidify things between us first."
"Don’t wait too long." My father stood, straightening his jacket. "The full moon is in two weeks. The Council will expect an announcement."
Two weeks. I could work with that.
After my parents left, I poured myself another glass of whiskey again. I pulled up Aria’s photo again, studying every detail. Fuck, I really missed her.
---
Aria’s POV
By Saturday evening, I was almost regretting agreeing to this reunion.
Almost.
Rachel and I walked into The Melody Lounge together, a sleek jazz bar in the heart of downtown. Low lighting, velvet booths, and a live trio playing something smooth and forgettable.
We found our group in a private section near the back. About fifteen people from our graduating class, all dressed to impress and already several drinks in.
Rachel and I had barely settled into our seats before the questions started.
"So, how’s married life with Alpha Ethan Holt?"
"Why didn’t he come?"
"We were hoping to meet him."
I answered as briefly as possible.
"Pack business."
That only seemed to make everyone more curious.
"Well, that’s disappointing."
The voice came from across the table, sharp and sugar-sweet.
I looked up and met Keira Morgan’s eyes.
Oh, perfect.
Keira had been in our class but we’d never been close. Mostly because she’d spent our entire college year batting her eyelashes at Ethan whenever he picked me up from campus.
She was pretty in that calculated way—platinum blonde hair, designer clothes, a smile that never reached her eyes.
"I mean," Keira continued, examining her manicured nails, "when someone says they’re with an Alpha, you’d think they could at least produce said Alpha for one evening."
The table went quiet.
Rachel’s hand found mine under the table, squeezing hard.
"Ethan has responsibilities," I said evenly. "I’m sure you understand."
"That’s a shame." A sugar-sweet voice cut through the chatter.
I looked up and immediately wished I hadn’t.
Keira Morgan.
Oh, great.
Keira had been in our class but we’d never been close.
Mostly because she’d spent most of college making doe eyes at Ethan whenever he came to pick me up from campus.
She was pretty in that calculated way—platinum blonde hair, expensive clothes, a smile that never quite reached her eyes.
"I mean," Keira continued, examining her manicured nails, "when someone says they’re married to an Alpha, you’d think they could at least produce said Alpha for one evening."
The table went quiet.
Rachel’s hand found mine under the table, squeezing.
"Ethan has responsibilities," I said evenly. "I’m sure you understand."
"Oh, I’m sure he does." Keira smiled. "Though from what I’ve heard, you’re not exactly Luna material."
The table fell silent.
She continued before I could respond.
"Everyone knows Alpha Ethan settled for you when things didn’t work out with the woman he actually wanted."
The silence that followed was deafening.
My heart was pounding so hard I could hear it in my ears. The jazz trio had started playing, but the music felt distant, muffled.
They all knew.
Everyone knew that Ethan loved Clara. That I was just the convenient human he’d strung along. The fake Luna warming a seat that was never meant for me.
Everyone knew except me.
Rachel shot to her feet. "You know what, Keira? You’ve always been a petty, jealous bitch. Some things never change."
"Jealous?" Keira laughed, the sound like breaking glass. "Of what exactly?"
"You spent four years throwing yourself at Ethan and he never looked at you twice," Rachel fired back. "So yeah, I’d say jealous."
Keira’s face flushed red. "At least I’m not desperate enough to cling to scraps. Speaking of which, Rachel, how’s your little design business going? Still struggling to land any real clients?"
Rachel’s jaw tightened. "My business is fine."
"Really? Because I heard you were practically begging for a meeting with V&A Group’s design division." Keira’s smile turned vicious. "Such a shame they keep turning you down."
"But you know what?" Keira leaned back, looking entirely too pleased with herself. "I might be able to help with that."
"Help?" Rachel’s voice was flat with disbelief.
"I have connections with V&A Group." She lifted her chin smugly. "One call from me and you’ll get your meeting."
"But there is one condition."Keira slowly extended one foot beneath the table, her designer heel gleaming in the low light.
"Lick my shoe clean, and I’ll make the call."
A collective gasp swept through the table.
For a moment, nobody moved. Nobody breathed.
My vision went red.
I picked up my wine glass.
Keira noticed and smirked. "What? Finally realizing I’m your only chance at—"
I flicked my wrist.
Red wine splashed across her face and expensive white dress.
The entire table froze.
Complete silence.
Then Keira shrieked. "Aria!"
I calmly set down the empty glass. "That’s for insulting my friend."
"You psycho—" Keira lunged forward, but Michael and Brandon immediately grabbed her arms.
"Keira, stop!"
"Are you insane?"
"Think about what you’re doing," someone hissed. "She’s with Alpha Ethan Holt."
Keira froze, then laughed. A harsh, mocking sound.
"Oh please. Do you really think I’m afraid of her?"
She tossed her wine-soaked hair over one shoulder.
"Besides, I have connections too. Important connections." Her eyes gleamed with malice. "I’m close friends with the V&A Group heir."
The table erupted in shocked murmurs.
But I couldn’t help it.
I laughed.
Not a polite chuckle. A full, genuine laugh that made several people jump.
"Something funny, Aria?" Keira’s eyes narrowed dangerously.
I leaned back in my chair, still smiling. "Just finding it hilarious that you’re claiming to be best friends with the V&A Group heir."
"I am."
"Really?" I tilted my head. "Tell me, Keira. Do you really know the V&A Group heir?"
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