Tempted By My Ex's Brother-in-Law (Aria and Grayson) novel Chapter 181

**TITLE: Wore 181**
**CONTENT: 10:15 Mon, Nov 24**

**Chapter 181**

**Ana’s POV**

“Let go of me, Alpha Grayson! Where I choose to go is none of your concern!” I spat, squirming against his hold, my anger boiling just beneath the surface.

But he pressed me back against the wall, his grip unyielding, his gray eyes glinting with a mocking light that sent a shiver down my spine. “Oh really? I figured you’d have plenty to say to your ex.”

“Ex? You mean you?” I let out a sharp, icy laugh that echoed in the tense air between us. “As far as I’m concerned, I never thought we were in a relationship at all.”

I could see the anger flare in his expression, a brief flicker that ignited my own fury. “Of course we were. What else would you call it?”

“What kind of boyfriend allows his girlfriend to walk to the execution block all by herself?” I shot back, my voice rising in intensity. “I would have been dead if Torvi hadn’t shown up just in time to reveal my true identity! So forgive me if I’m surprised you even have the audacity to speak to me. LET GO!”

His grip only tightened, as if he were trying to anchor me to him. “Even if Torvi hadn’t arrived, nothing would have happened to you. My people were right there, prepared to save you at the last moment. I never abandoned you, Aria. YOU were the one who so easily turned your back on us.”

His people?

I hadn’t known that.

But it didn’t matter. What I resented wasn’t his failure to save me; it was the arrogance he wore like a crown, acting as if he were a god manipulating my fate, as if we had never been equals.

That was not the kind of relationship I desired.

And now he had the nerve to accuse me of betrayal? Screw him.

“You know what, Grayson? You’re absolutely right. I did decide to end things. After all, I’ve moved on to a new chapter in my life, and let me tell you, it’s a fucking amazing one. In fact, I’m going to act as if nothing ever happened between us. And I expect you to do the same. Just like Grandmother advised.”

A storm brewed in his eyes, darkening with each word I spoke. “Grandmother? So she’s your new supporter now.”

“She is, or anyone else who’s new in my life. Just not you.”

At this point, I was ready to say anything that might provoke him further, so I added with a smirk, “And now that I’m finally a Lady, I realize just how many options I have. I don’t want our old fling to interfere with my chance to meet someone new—”

His fist slammed into the wall beside my head, the sound reverberating in the air like a thunderclap. His breath came out hot and ragged, a dangerous edge to it.

I had successfully provoked him, and a flicker of vengeful satisfaction coursed through me, mingled with an ache I couldn’t quite shake.

He locked his gaze onto mine, his eyes searching, as if he were trying to see straight through to my very soul.

Then, without warning, he leaned in, attempting to kiss me.

I was prepared for it, turning my head away instinctively. But his strong arms and solid frame trapped me, leaving me with nowhere to escape.

One hand gripped my jaw, and his scorching lips brushed against the corner of my mouth, igniting a fire in me that I didn’t want to feel.

“So, who’s your new guy? Is he better than me?” His voice was low and laced with danger, sending a thrill of defiance through me.

Wherever his lips had touched felt like it was on fire. My entire body trembled slightly, betraying my resolve. There was no new guy, but I decided to play along. “Oh, definitely… a million times better than you.”

He chuckled darkly, though there was nothing humorous about it. “I can’t wait to meet him. Can your new man protect you better than I can?”

I gritted my teeth. “The best thing about him is that we’re exclusive to each other. And speaking of exclusivity, how’s your fiancée doing these days?”

A flash of confusion crossed his features. “Fiancée? What are you talking about?”

“You know exactly who I mean. Isla. You two are engaged, aren’t you? She’s already moved back to Red Ston and has been telling the media all about your remarriage,” I replied coldly, enjoying the way his expression shifted.

He frowned, but the silence that followed only fueled the anger and pain swelling inside me. I gritted my teeth, hissing, “Listen, Grayson. I may have turned a new leaf, but I haven’t forgotten all the people who wronged me. I will have my revenge on Isla one day. And you, Isla’s fiancé, are on my fucking list too.”

His face darkened, a shadow passing over his features. “Aria…”

“Stay the hell away from me!”

With all my strength, I shoved him away and stormed off, my heart pounding with fury. This time, he didn’t stop me.

The packhouse felt stifling, almost unbearable, with Grayson lurking nearby.

I locked myself in my room, not even feeling the urge to join everyone for dinner. But for Moon Goddess’s sake, I had already gone two days without food. There was no way I could endure another one.

Reluctantly, I left my sanctuary and made my way down to the dining hall.

As expected, everyone I despised was there. Morrigan and her family, Tamsin and her daughter.

And, of course, Grayson.

As I stepped through the doorway, I spotted him sitting at the table, casually sipping a glass of wine, his demeanor relaxed as if nothing had happened between us.

To my amusement, Maeve was seated right next to him, gazing at him with a dreamy admiration that made my stomach churn.

**Chapter 181**

“That’s alright.” Grayson rested his chin on his hand, his eyes reflecting a hint of mockery as he surveyed me. “I’m just a little surprised. I thought Lady Aria was quite welcome here, that the whole Frostpine Pack had her back, and that countless young men were eager to win her hand. Seems I was mistaken.”

His words cut through my facade, and I felt my face flush with embarrassment.

Then Orion declared loudly, “You were definitely mistaken, Alpha Grayson. Living in this packhouse doesn’t make her a proper Lady. And speaking as a man, I’d never want to marry a girl like her, no matter how pretty she is…”

I inhaled sharply, the humiliation washing over me like a wave.

I probably wasn’t the first person desperate to convince an ex that I was thriving without them.

But the illusion I had fought so hard to maintain had just been ruthlessly shattered.

I couldn’t bring myself to meet Grayson’s gaze, terrified of what I might see reflected there.

So, I stood up, snatched a piece of bread from the table, and headed for the door. I had never run from a confrontation with my so-called family before. But with Grayson present, everything felt suffocating.

“Aria, wait up.”

A low voice called after me, halting my steps.

Rhys followed me out of the dining hall, his expression serious.

“You shouldn’t provoke Grandmother like that. If you want her to recognize you and free your mother, there are better ways to go about it,” he said quietly, concern lacing his tone.

He was right, and I knew it. But sometimes, controlling my temper felt impossible. “I don’t want to beg her, and I can’t just lose my temper or threaten her either. So tell me, Rhys, what should I do?”

“I…”

He suddenly stopped, his gaze shifting. Then he reached out, his thumb brushing lightly over my lip.

I flinched in surprise, my heart racing, but he said, as if it were the most natural thing in the world, “You had some sauce there.”

“…Oh.”

I was about to thank him when, over his shoulder, I caught sight of Grayson.

He was gripping his wineglass tightly, his eyes locked onto us with a murderous intensity, focused on Rhys’s hand lingering near my mouth.