Tempted By My Ex's Brother-in-Law (Aria and Grayson) novel Chapter 170

Chapter 170

Aria’s POV

After we came down from the terrace, Alpha Thalira disappeared, saying she had official business to handle. I was handed back to Mrs. Cole, though she clearly didn’t want anything to do with me.

“Let’s go,” she said reluctantly. “I’ll show you your room.”

The main building had over a dozen floors, each with countless rooms, most of them empty. I expected to be tucked away in some quiet corner, far from everyone, and definitely far from Alpha Thalira. Not that I minded–I just wanted to be left alone.

But to my surprise, Mrs. Cole didn’t stop on any of the upper floors.

Instead, she led me down the main staircase, all the way down to the basement.

The basement had poor lighting, and the air felt stuffy.

I followed Mrs. Cole, looking around. As we walked down the corridor, some doors cracked open, and servants or Omegas peeked out. When they met my eyes, they quickly pulled back and softly closed their doors.

Finally, Mrs. Cole stopped at the very end of the hall, in front of the shabbiest door.

I frowned. “What is this?”

She grinned, her gloomy face finally brightening. She announced, almost gleefully, “This is your room.”

“What about the rooms upstairs?” I asked.

“They aren’t available to you,” she said with a snort. “Those are for the Alpha and the Ladies. You’d only disturb them up there.”

I narrowed my eyes. “Since when did I stop being a Lady?”

She stepped closer, her voice dropping low but dangerous. “Let’s be honest. Nobody likes you here. The REAL Ladies of this pack decided to banish you down here, where you actually belong. If you don’t like it, fine. Just get the hell out of here.”

I scoffed. “If Alpha Thalira finds out-”

“Alpha Thalira hates tattletales. Whining just shows weakness. So fine, go ahead. Tell her I gave you a bad room and cry about it.”

I stared at her. I could tell that the last part was true. If I took this to Alpha Thalira, nothing good would come of it for me.

“You’ll regret this decision very soon,” I said to her coolly.

She let out a mocking laugh. “Oh, really? Wake up you little whore! There’s no one here to protect you. Your Alpha lover abandoned you. Your family and friends left you. So just face it–you’re completely on your own. So leave while you still can. Or rot underground.”

With that, she gave me a triumphant look and marched away.

I almost found it funny.

These people really thought a poorly lit room could scare me. Me–someone who’d stared death in the face.

It was like living in a dark, slightly smelly room was the worst punishment they could imagine. And they seemed to forget I’d come back from the edge. I’d experienced total despair, had everything taken from me.

But maybe this was a good start.

I’d use this to show them that petty tricks wouldn’t break me.

Nearby doors were cracked open just a slit. Maids and Omegas were sneaking glances at me. When our eyes met, they flinched back in fear, but I gave them a smile first.

“Where’s the dining hall?” I asked.

That evening, I ate in the servants‘ dining hall with all the staff. Everyone watched me from a distance, too scared to come near. They clearly knew who I was but didn’t understand why I was there, and didn’t dare ask.

I ate calmly, smiling back whenever someone looked my way. Eventually, a few maids dared to sit at the same table as me. I took the chance to ask them for toiletries, sheets, and a blanket. I was damn sure Mrs. Cole wouldn’t be kind enough to provide them.

After washing up and returning to my room, I lay on the bed, took out my phone, and made a call.

“Aria!” The voice on the other end was urgent the moment the call connected. “How are you? I called and texted a few times, but you didn’t answer.”

“Sorry, life has been crazy since I got here.”

“They’re giving you a hard time, aren’t they?” His voice turned cold. “Is there anything I can do?”

“Actually, there is. And I feel bad asking…”

“Don’t be,” his husky, sexy voice rang in my ears. “You know what I’d say, right?”

Yes, I thought. I do know.

Anything.

He’d do anything for me.

He’d told me that more than once. And I would never stop owing him.

“So do you have any friends in the press?” I asked.

“Of course. Some very powerful ones. What do you need them to do?”

“There are a few stories I need published…”

I went on and told him my whole plan. He laughed when I finished and promised it would be done.

We chatted for a bit. I asked where he was now. Apparently, he was in the southern hemisphere for a business summit. After giving up the Alpha position, Damian put him in charge of the pack’s economy, which was something he was good at from the start. I was so glad his life was finally back on track.

Before hanging up, he hesitated.

“Hey… have you heard about him recently?”

Zane didn’t even say his name, but I still felt an immediate sharp pang in my chest. After a few seconds of silence, I forced a light tone. “I haven’t. What’s he up to now? Dating another supermodel or actress?”

“He’s back with Isla, Aria.”

Pain.

Sharp pain, mixed with anger.

I gripped the sheets tightly, fighting the urge to tear everything apart.

“Reporters caught Isla landing in Red Stone Pack today. They did a quick interview, and she said she’s back there permanently. Their wedding might be by the end of this year. I just thought it might be better if you heard it from me…”

“It is. Thank you, Zane,” I whispered.

“Take care, Aria. I’m always here for you.”

After hanging up, I didn’t know how to process the dark emotions swirling inside me. I had no family or friends here to talk to; Grandma and May weren’t around. I couldn’t go for a run in the woods because they’d taken my wolf, too.

All I could do was stare at the wall, forcing myself to remember this pain.

Someday, Isla.

Someday.

The next morning, I woke up to a text from Zane telling me everything was set.

I went out, stopped a passing maid, and asked where the Alpha and Ladies had their meals.

“On the Main Dining hall west side of the first floor. But… I’m not sure if you’re allowed to eat there…”

“Oh, don’t worry, I’m not going there to cat,” I said lightly. “Thanks for telling me.”

I followed her directions and found the dining hall.

When I walked in, only Alpha Thalira’s seat and Lady Sable’s place were empty. Aall the other family members were already eating.

The moment I stepped inside, the air went eerily quiet for a few seconds. Everyone glared at me like I was a mice in broad daylight. Then Tamsin was the first to speak coldly:

“What the hell are you doing here?”

“Eating breakfast, same as all of you. And good morning to you too, Aunt Tamsin,” I said with a faint smile.

“Get out. The stink on you is ruining my appetite,” Morrigan said, covering her nose in disgust. “Guards, remove her. I won’t eat at the same table as an Omega.”

The soldiers shifted, moving toward me. I smirked and warned them, “Invite me to sit down now. This is your last chance. Or you’ll all regret it later.”

They all laughed, as if my threat was ridiculous.

“Drag her out! Let’s see how we regret it!” Maeve yelled.

Orion looked at me mockingly. “Aria, for someone with a face so pretty, you’re really not very smart. You have nothing here. What makes you think you can threaten us?”

“Guards. NOW!” Tamsin roared.

They didn’t hesitate any longer, grabbing my arms roughly. I struggled, but they were too strong. The pain twisted my expression.

“Pathetic!” Tamsin let out a sharp, mocking laugh. “God, I almost forgot. You don’t even have a wolf, do you? How does a freak like you dare threaten us? I’ve never seen anything so absurd—”

The dining hall doors suddenly burst open violently. Tamsin’s laughter cut off.

Alpha Thalira came striding in, radiating anger. Her sharp gaze swept the room, and she snapped:

“Which one of you idiots was laughing just now?”

“Mother, you’re just in time!” Tamsin said eagerly. “Aria Collins dared to come here and eat with us. A bastard like her should dine with the servants. Don’t you agree?”

Alpha Thalira turned to her own maid. “Get Lady Aria her seat.”

The maids rushed to bring a chair for me. I smiled, my eyes sweeping over the shocked faces around the table.

“B–But… Mother?” Tamsin stammered. “Why… I don’t understand… Why let this little bitch…”

“You still dare ask?!”

Alpha Thalira’s voice rose sharply, echoing through the dining hall. She threw a stack of newspapers in Tamsin’s face and roared:

“See for yourself! You bunch of sorry pieces of shit!”

Tamsin’s face turned ugly. She slowly picked up the newspapers, and the others crowded around to look.

Then, all their expressions changed.