Last Female Sypher and Her Brother's Friends novel Chapter 18

Liam looks up.“It feels like it.”

“Maybe,” I admit. “But there’s probably a reason.”

“Maybe she wanted you to live normally,” Kade says.

“Maybe it has something to do with your father.”

His eyes flicker.

“We can find the answers,” I add.

“Money leaves trails.”

He nods slowly.

My wolf grunts.

Solve later. Eat now.

I stab a piece of steak and finally take a bite.

Around the table, plates start filling.

The mood shifts slightly.

But the tension never leaves.

Because everyone knows what’s coming.

Everyone is waiting.

For Ronan.

Aria senses it too.

62

1/7

16:22 Tue, Sep 1

Chapter 18

Halfway through the meal, she stops chewing and looks around the table.

Her eyes narrow.

“Okay.”

Silence.

She points her fork at all of us.

“What are we waiting for?”

I blink.

Impressive.

Humans miss things like this all the time.

But she picked it up immediately.

My wolf huffs. Sharp little thing.

The door opens right on cue. Ronan walks in. The room tightens instantly.

Alpha presence is a real thing.

You can feel it in your bones.

Aria straightens in her chair.

Ronan takes the seat at the head of the table.

He doesn’t eat.

He looks directly at her. “We need to talk.”

Her shoulders tense. “I figured.”

62

2/7

16:22 Tue, Sep 1

Chapter 18

He folds his hands together.“I’ve made a decision.”

My wolf groans. Bad start.

:.

62

Ronan continues. “You’re going to stay with us.”

Her scent spikes instantly. Anger–sharp and biting. “You decided that, have you?”

“Yes,” Ronan says calmly.

She sets her fork down slowly. “I hate to be the one to break it to you, but you don’t get to decide where I

live.”

Ronan’s eyes flash. “In this case, yes, I do. You’re not going back to the city.”

“I absolutely am.”

“No.”

Her chair scrapes as she leans forward. “You cannot order me around like that.”

His voice hardens.“There is more to my decision than your feelings. And for once, you need to listen instead

of mouthing off about things you know nothing about.”

My wolf winces. Oh, that went poorly.

Aria’s eyes blaze.“Then tell me!” Her voice rises. “Give me one reason to consider your poorly worded

suggestion!”

Ronan’s jaw tightens. “There are no suggestions.”

Ah.

Damn it.

I cut in quickly before Ronan’s Alpha side escalates this into a full dominance display.

“That’s not the point.”

317

16:22 Tue, Sep 1

Chapter 18

Both of them look at me.

:

62

“What Ronan means,” I say carefully, “is that you’re human.”

Aria glares.“Yes, I noticed.”

“And now you know our secret.” Her expression flickers.“That alone gives the Assembly reason to follow up

on you. To eliminate you if they believe you’re a threat.”

Her eyes widen.“Like the wolves from yesterday.”

“Exactly.”

The room falls quiet.

I gesture toward Ronan.

“But if Ronan takes responsibility for you…If you’re with our pack, they can’t touch you.”

Aria slowly turns to look at Ronan.

Disbelief fills her face. “And why is that?”

Before Ronan can answer, another voice speaks from the doorway.

“Because Ronan is the most powerful shifter on the continent.”

Barric steps into the room.

Aria stares at him, and some of the defensiveness leaves her.

Ronan notices and shoots a questioning look at Barric.

Aria shifts her attention back to the Alpha. “You’re joking.”

Nobody laughs.

Her heartbeat speeds up.

4/7

16:22 Tue, Sep 1

Chapter 18

ค

62

“That’s why they can’t do anything to him. Why do they respect our pack’s boundaries more than others?

The Assembly may have power, but if it comes to a challenge, Ronan would win,” Barric says.

“That’s why they’ll send an envoy instead of an army,” Ronan interjects.

The room goes very still.

Aria sinks slowly back into her chair.

She looks overwhelmed.

“But my job,” she says weakly. “My apartment. Hazel. I can’t just up and leave.”

Ronan finally picks up his fork. “You can quit.”

She stares at him. “You can’t be serious.”

“The leasing agency can handle your apartment,” he continues. “They can pack your things and rent them

again. Plus, you dont have to work, thanks again to your Mom. It will be an easier adjustment than most.”

“How did you…right super hearing,” she mutters

He clears his throat.

“And the Assembly has already reached out.”

Liam stiffens.

“They have?”

Ronan nods. “They’re coming for Jasper and Henry,” he looks at Aria, “And to speak about you.”

Aria’s hands tighten around the edge of the table. “What does that mean?”

Liam looks at Ronan. “What if they try to take her?”

Ronan turns his head and meets Liam’s eyes directly.

5/7

16:22 Tue, Sep 1

Chapter 18