Adrian's smirk faded as his eyes grew gloomy. The boy's tone was rude.

"I don't need your permission to stay close to her, little boy," Adrian retorted.

"My name is Noah. Don't call me 'little boy.' I warned you at the airport," Noah began, but was interrupted.

"Noah, who are you talking to? Is that your handsome uncle?"

Another voice cut in—Aria's. Adrian recognized it and remembered her name.

"Let me talk to him."

Aria snatched the phone. "Hello, handsome uncle. Did Mommy meet you?"

Adrian found her voice surprisingly sweet. He felt strangely good talking to her, despite not being a child-lover. Her voice brought her adorable face to mind.

To avoid frightening her, he asked calmly, "How are you?"

"I'm fine. How about you?"

"Good. And yes, your mother did meet me. But why are you so excited?"

Aria paused, considering her excitement. She glanced at her angry brother and lowered her voice.

"Noah doesn't like you, but I do. You're so handsome. You're just lik—"

She hesitated. Adrian frowned. "Just like what?"

"Don't talk to her or Mommy!" Noah interrupted. Adrian rolled his eyes.

"Kiddo, you talk too much for your age. Control your tongue."

Noah fell silent. Adrian noticed the bathroom door opening. His gaze fell on a woman in a white bathrobe, its fit highlighting her curves. He was dangerously close to succumbing to desire, the scent of her perfume filling the room.

Natalia was startled to find him in her room. She was about to yell, but her eyes fell on his hand.

"Why is my phone in your hand? Who were you talking to?" she asked, approaching him.

Adrian took a deep breath to regain his composure. "Your mommy's here. Talk to her," he said to Noah.

Natalia snatched the phone. "Mommy, why is that man with you?" she heard Noah ask.

Natalia glared at Adrian. "I ran into him. Don't worry, Noah. Remember what I taught you—don't talk to strangers."

"But he said you wer—"

"I'll talk to you later."

Natalia ended the call abruptly and threw the phone on the bed.

"How dare you touch my phone? Why are you in my room?" she demanded.

Adrian didn't answer, his gaze fixed on her. Natalia felt uneasy under his stare. She moved to the slightly ajar door.

"Alpha Adrian, you shouldn't be in another woman's bedroom. Leave."

He stopped before her. "I was wondering what you said to your children." He paused, then, his voice filled with rage, "Am I a stranger to you?"

"Don't give me that attitude. I'm not your wife anymore. I won't—"

Before she finished, Adrian seized her arms and slammed her against the door, closing it fully. Natalia's eyes widened. "What's wrong with you?"

"Why did you hurt her?" he asked.

Natalia laughed, seeing the anger in his eyes. She wondered if he truly loved Lynda that much.

"I'll hurt her again if she gets in my way. No one can stop me."

He moved closer, his hands moving from her arms to her waist. She breathed deeply as he leaned down.

"You can't get over me, can you? You blame Lynda for everything to get my attention back."

She pressed her hands to his chest. "No way. I hate you. I'm disgusted by you."

His eyes darkened with fury. "Those children—how could you have them without marriage? Don't you have any shame?"

"Don't talk about my children!" She pushed him.

He grabbed her hands, pinning them behind her back. "Didn't you try to break her hand? Want me to try it on you? What did you call me?"

His grip caused her bathrobe to loosen, revealing her upper body. Adrian froze, years of suppressed desire overwhelming him.

(The final sentence fragment "D" and the repeated promotional text have been removed.)