Chapter 14

Chapter 14

At this announcement, the younger she wolf dancers erupted in excited squeals and whispers.

"Oh my God, Alpha Lucas Thornwood is coming here?"

"I heard he hasn't attended a social event in months!"

"Do you think he's looking for new talent to sponsor?"

The company scattered to their dressing rooms, frantically touching up makeup and adjusting costumes, each hoping to catch the eye of The Thornwood Pack's most eligible widowed alpha.

Only Aria remained frozen in place, her mind racing with alarm.

Why would Lucas come backstage? Even during his most obsessive pursuit of her years ago, he had never once visited her behind the scenes-his beta had simply delivered roses or arranged town cars.

Her thoughts spiraled into darker territory. Was this somehow connected to the revenge plots he'd schemed with his friends? Had he somehow recognized her despite the mask? Was he planning some new humiliation as punishment for deceiving him with her false death?

Her fingernails dug painfully into her palms as fragmented memories of the ninety-eight "pranks” flashed through her mind.

"Aria," Margaret's concerned voice cut through her panic. "You've gone completely white."

“I just-” she managed, her usual composure crumbling.

you should return to the hotel before he arrives. I'll make your excuses-some diplomatic nonsense about vocal rest affecting your breathing. Don't worry about Alpha Thornwood-we've got plenty of

voice. With a quick pivot, she headed for the stage door,

the exit corridor, approaching footsteps echoed from beyond the heavy velvet curtain, accompanied by the theater

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Chapter 14

is absolutely thrilled you've joined us tonight.

to part, Aria's heart

pressing herself

area.

crowded backstage space, immediately uncomfortable with the theatrical chaos. Female dancers in various stages

danced the second

an honor to

you

cloud of floral and vanilla notes that made him physically recoil. The artificial sweetness reminded him, by stark contrast, of Aria's simple scent-just clean soap and occasionally a hint of jasmine when she'd splurge on her favorite

his eyes methodically scanning the space. Something-someone-had drawn him here, and it wasn't

barely perceptible scent cut through the perfume fog-the faintest trace of jasmine

sharpened, his gaze sweeping the room with renewed focus until locking onto a

principal dancer, wouldn't it?" he asked

words, he redirected every eye in the room toward the corner where Aria had tried to

herself suddenly illuminated by attention, she felt her pulse stutter, then race wildly. The artistic director, realizing Aria hadn't

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Chapter 14

in her, though her heart hammered so violently

her temple to her toes, lingering on specific details-the particular curve of her wrist, the precise length of her fingers, the slight asymmetry in her shoulders that he had once

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