Tempted By My Ex's Brother-in-Law (Aria and Grayson) novel Chapter 199

**TITLE: Wore 199**

**Aria’s POV**

I nearly leaped out of bed, my heart racing. “What? Are you out of your mind?”

His laughter echoed in the room, a deep, mocking sound that sent shivers down my spine. “You went through all that trouble to bring Tasmin down. Yet, with just a single command, I could have her head severed from her shoulders.”

I inhaled deeply, trying to calm the storm of emotions swirling within me. “Look, I get it. You’re powerful, and there’s no need for you to keep reminding me. But this is personal. I want to take Tasmin down on my own terms, without your interference.”

He raised an eyebrow, skepticism etched across his features. “What difference does it make? She’s still going to be dealt with.”

“Because I refuse to owe you anything!” The words slipped out before I could stop them, and I immediately regretted the intensity behind my voice.

His expression darkened, a shadow passing over his handsome face. Realizing my mistake, I quickly added, “Besides, if you eliminate her now, all her misdeeds will remain buried. I don’t just want her gone; I want her to face the consequences of her actions.”

Grayson regarded me with a raised eyebrow, a flicker of curiosity in his gaze. After a moment of silence, he replied, “I see. So, how do you plan to show your gratitude when this is all over?”

“Gratitude? I specifically asked you not to intervene, which means I owe you nothing!”

He chuckled softly, a low rumble that filled the room. “If it were solely my choice, I’d drag Tasmin here and carve her up in front of you. But because of your wishes, I find myself restraining my instincts. No one has ever compelled me to do that. Shouldn’t you be thanking me for this?”

What kind of twisted reasoning was that?!

Yet, I found myself at a loss for how to counter his argument.

Just then, a heavy knock shattered the tension in the air. “Alpha, we apologize for the interruption, but Captain Torvi is at the door, demanding to see Lady Aria.”

Torvi?

How on earth did she manage to enter the packhouse?

For a brief moment, relief washed over me. After a night filled with chaos and danger, I finally had someone I could trust by my side.

But then reality hit me like a cold wave—I wasn’t in my own room. I was in bed with Grayson. Naked. How was I going to explain this to Torvi?

“Send her away,” I whispered urgently to Grayson, panic rising in my chest. “I can’t let her know I’m here!”

Grayson narrowed his eyes, a teasing smirk playing on his lips. “What? Are you embarrassed to be seen with me?”

“I… I just don’t know how to explain this! I don’t want her to judge me!”

The Frostpine Pack had this bizarre tradition—royal members were forbidden from engaging in sexual relations before marriage.

Probably to maintain pure bloodlines and avoid any illegitimate offspring.

That was precisely why my mother, Lady Quentina, had her relationship with Alpha Thalira shattered. She defied the pack’s rules and gave birth to me, a move that Alpha Thalira perceived as a grave insult to her honor.

As for me… I already bore the infamous title of Grayson’s mistress. The last thing I needed was for everyone to know I was still entangled with him.

The guard knocked again, and in a frenzy, I threw off the covers, desperate to hide in the bathroom.

But Grayson, with surprising strength, grasped me by the waist and pulled me back against him.

“Send Captain Torvi in,” he called out to the guards outside, his voice firm and unwavering.

Horror washed over me. “Wait, no—”

But the door swung open, and there stood Torvi, striding in with purpose. “Lady Aria! I heard everything about the snake. Are you— WHAT THE HELL?!”

Her voice rose in shock as she took in the sight of us in bed. I quickly wrapped the sheet around myself, my cheeks aflame with embarrassment. Grayson, however, remained unfazed. He donned his robe, stepped out of bed, and planted a soft kiss on my forehead.

“Last night was fantastic,” he chuckled, a mischievous glint in his eyes.

That jerk. He made it sound like something had actually happened! But the truth was, nothing had transpired between us!

I shot him a glare, but he just smiled gently, his fingers brushing through my hair. “I’ll respect your wish not to eliminate Tasmin. But letting her off the hook after everything she’s done to you? That’s out of the question. I’ll give her a warning, my way.”

A warning? My mind raced as I pressed him, “What kind of warning? You have to promise me you won’t go too far.”

But he didn’t respond. Instead, he turned and strolled toward the bathroom, nodding politely at Torvi as he passed her.

The moment the bathroom door closed behind him, Torvi marched over, her face a mixture of shock and anger. “What the hell was that? Did you two sleep together last night?”

“No, we didn’t!” I protested vehemently, jumping out of bed. My clothes from the previous day lay crumpled on the floor, and I hurriedly began to dress.

Torvi followed closely behind me as we exited the room. Thankfully, the hallway was sparsely populated with only a few guards, no outsiders in sight. I tried to act as if the guards didn’t exist and rushed down the corridor.

Not only had their hair been removed, but it was done so unevenly, leaving them with a patchy, hideous appearance. They weren’t exactly the most attractive to begin with, and now this disastrous haircut only amplified their misfortune.

Grayson had mentioned a warning. Perhaps this was it? Well played.

Meave caught sight of me laughing and spun around, snarling, “What the hell are you laughing at?”

“Your hair, obviously,” I replied with a smirk.

“You tramp! Did you orchestrate this? I’m going to kill you—”

“MEAVE!”

A thunderous roar interrupted her, and Alpha Thalira strode into the hall, her gaze fierce as she glared at Tasmin and Meave. “What on earth happened to your hair?”

“Aria did it!” Tasmin shrieked. “She sent people into our rooms while we were asleep and cut our hair! Mother, you have to teach that witch a lesson!”

“Do you have any proof?” I retorted sarcastically, crossing my arms. “And what about the snake in my bed? An eye for an eye, if you ask me.”

“ENOUGH! I’m sick of your bickering!” Alpha Thalira snapped, her voice sharp. Taking a deep breath, she commanded, “Aria, when our northern friends arrive, you will accompany me to greet them.”

Tasmin and Meave immediately protested, “What? Mother, why? We should be the ones to welcome our honored guests! We’re the stars of this parade!”

“You are two foolish clowns who lost your hair. You don’t deserve to be seen in public looking like that. So I’m replacing you with Aria. Now get back to your rooms!” Alpha Thalira growled, her authority palpable.

Tasmin and Meave glared daggers at me, their fury evident.

I hadn’t anticipated that Grayson’s act of shaving their heads would also strip them of the honor of receiving guests. This was an unexpected bonus. Anything that caused them distress filled me with joy.

So, I flashed them a bright smile and followed Alpha Thalira out.

Rhys jogged a few steps to catch up with me, whispering, “Do you know who the ‘northern friends’ are?”

“They must be Alphas and Gammas from other packs. Who else could it be?” I replied absently, lost in thought.

“Not just that. Among them is the fiancé Grandmother has chosen for you.”

I halted abruptly, my heart racing as I stared back at him, shock coursing through me.