Chapter 87

Natalia’s POV

When we returned to the pack house, my parents enveloped Aria in a hug. They were terrified of losing her. At this age, Noah and Aria were their favorite companions.

“I’m okay, Grandpa. Don’t worry, Grandma,” Aria assured them, like a sensible child.

I noticed Noah standing in a corner. His eyes were fixed on Aria, but he didn’t approach her. He seemed upset.

Was he feeling guilty? Was he blaming himself?

I approached Noah while everyone was preoccupied with Aria. I crouched down, patted his shoulder, and he lowered his head.

“What’s wrong, my big boy? Why do you look so upset? Don’t you want to see your little sister?” I asked.

He was only a few minutes older than Aria. I reminded him that he was her big brother and always had to protect her.

“I’m sorry, Mom. I couldn’t protect Aria,” he mumbled, his lips pouting.

I caressed his hair, and he looked up. His teary eyes filled me with emotion. “Don’t cry, my baby. You’re my strong boy. It wasn’t your fault, okay?”

He shook his head. “I—”

I didn’t let him finish, pulling him into a tight hug. “Tears don’t suit you. You have to be a strong boy. You’ll be a powerful man in the future,” I said, patting his back.

“Just like my Uncle Jason?” he asked, hugging my neck.

I chuckled and nodded. “Yeah, just like your Uncle Jason.”

We broke the hug and glanced at Aria. She saw us and toddled over.

“Noah!” she exclaimed, hugging her brother.

I stood and let them embrace. Noah hugged Aria, then looked at me. I smiled, and he returned the smile, then asked Aria, “I missed you. Where did you go?”

Aria pulled away. “I was with…” She paused, looking at me.

I shook my head. She blinked, then turned back to Noah. “I was lost. Mommy’s friend found me, and I was with him.”

Aria lied to Noah because I’d told her in the car not to mention Adrian to anyone. She’d questioned my instructions, as if she enjoyed talking about him. I’d simply forbidden her to mention him, especially to Noah. I knew Noah hated that man, just as I did. The fact that one of Adrian’s children disliked him felt like a form of karma.

However, I wondered why Noah had such a strong aversion to a man he barely knew, having met him only once. As Aria pointed out, Adrian had never spoken poorly to him. What was the reason for his animosity?

Happiness returned to the pack house. Everyone was relieved to have Aria back.

That evening, everyone questioned Aria about what happened. She consistently replied that she’d been lost while following a kitten.

Eric, however, cautioned against further questioning, worried it might harm her mental health.

When Jason returned, he immediately summoned Aria to his room. I worried he’d investigate the matter. Eric signaled he’d handle it.

I stood outside Jason’s bedroom, eavesdropping on their conversation.

“Where were you?” Jason asked Aria.

“Uncle Jason, I was with Mommy’s friend.”

“Oh, I see. How are you now, baby? Did anyone hurt you?”

“No, Uncle. Mommy’s friend is a good person. He took me to eat ice cream, then gave me my favorite brownies.”

“He? Your mommy’s friend is a man?”

As soon as Jason grasped Aria’s implication, I quickly turned away.

“You can come in. Don’t you know eavesdropping is rude?”

My brother’s voice. He’d caught me. I opened the door and entered.

I laughed awkwardly. “Sorry, brother. I was just pass—”

Eric bit his lip to stifle a laugh, as if I were a terrible liar. I frowned. Wasn't he on my side?

He cleared his throat. “She’s right, Jason. I think you’re mistaken.”

Jason raised an eyebrow, turning to Eric. “Stop defending him, Eric. I’ll deal with you later. Let me talk to her first.”

Eric gulped, realizing Jason suspected something.

“You can go back to your room. Your uncle brought you lots of chocolates; he’ll send them up.”

Aria’s face lit up. “Okay, Uncle.” She kissed Jason’s cheek and left, leaving me in my brother’s study.

“Natalia, where was she? Are you lying to me?”

“Brother, I told you. My friend found her.”

“Which friend? I need a name.”

I looked to Eric for help. He nodded and put a hand on Jason’s shoulder.

“Bro, why are you scaring her? She can have male friends, you know.”

Jason stood and turned to Eric. “Really? Don’t make me laugh. She can have male friends? Weren’t you the one who always beat up boys to keep them away from her?”

My eyes widened. I looked at Eric, who scratched his neck.

“Stop the nonsense, Jason. Calm down,” Eric murmured.

I was confused and disbelieving. Every time a boy got close to me, Eric beat him up, always claiming it was Jason’s orders.

“So it was always him? Why did he do that?”