Tempted By My Ex's Brother-in-Law (Aria and Grayson) novel Chapter 201

Chapter 201

Aria’s POV

My heart jumped into my throat. I was so afraid Eren might say something stupid, like calling himself my designated fiancé.

But luckily, Eren was smart. He simply smiled and said, “I’m Eren Stonebreaker, from Snow Peak Pack.”

“Snow Peak Pack,” Grayson frowned.

“That’s right,” Eren’s father, Alpha Bjorn, stepped forward and offered his hand. “I’m Bjorn. Very nice to meet you, Alpha Grayson.”

Bjorn’s tone was polite but not obsequious, unlike most people in front of Grayson.

Grayson shook his hand. Then he turned back to me. “May I have this first dance?”

I didn’t answer. A faint wave of irritation rose in me. I noticed several people around me had stiffened–from Alpha Thalira to Bjorn.

“But Eren was just about to ask Lady Aria to dance,” Bjorn said with a hint of coolness.

“He can wait,” Grayson didn’t even look at him.

A flash of anger crossed Alpha Bjorn’s face. Alpha Thalira said calmly, “Perhaps we should ask Aria for her opinion.”

They all looked at me.

I felt even more annoyed. Truth be told, I didn’t want to dance with Eren. I didn’t even know him. I also didn’t want to give him the wrong idea that I was on board with this arranged marriage.

But at the same time, I didn’t want to accept Grayson’s invitation either.

Torvi’s warning seemed to echo in my ears. I couldn’t get tangled up with Grayson anymore, especially not in front of Alpha Thalira. More importantly, I was worried that if I kept getting involved with him, I’d sink deeper. Then it would be even harder to walk away.

So after a brief hesitation, I said, “I’ll have my first dance with Eren.”

A wide smile spread across Eren’s face. Grayson’s expression instantly darkened. I could smell his aggressive scent again, filled with a dark, dangerous feeling.

I didn’t dare look at him, afraid I might change my mind the very next second. So I stopped looking his way and gave my hand to Eren, letting him lead me onto the dance floor.

The quartet began to play. Other guests gradually joined us, swirling around.

Eren held my waist, expertly guiding me through the crowd. He was a great leader. I didn’t even need to think about which way to go. He smoothly led me, our steps perfectly in time with the music. My champagne skirt flared out.

He didn’t speak at first. I was silent too, until the song was halfway through. “You’re a great dancer,” I said.

He looked down at me. His amber eyes were so bright under the chandelier light. “Thank you, Lady Aria.

“Call me Aria,” I said. “I thought your people weren’t big fans of dancing and singing and parties… you know, the

entertainment stuff.”

He chuckled, his sturdy chest shaking slightly. “That’s a bit of a stereotype. You think Northerners like me spend all day in

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caves, skinning animals and drinking their blood?”

His words made me laugh.

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But I wasn’t the only one who thought that way. In fact, the whole world believed these Northerners were a bunch of savages, Frostpine Pack was already pretty far north, but Eren’s Snow Peak Pack was even farther, located deep in the perpetually snow–covered mountains.

Being so remote, they only interacted with Frostpine Pack. So the outside world knew very little about them.

“Sorry,” I said apologetically. “I’ve never been there. So I didn’t know.”

He smiled and leaned closer, his husky voice in my ear. “I’d love to show you around, Aria. As your personal escort.”

We were very close now. A rich, fragrant scent drifted into my nostrils. At first, I thought it was the red rose pinned to his chest. But no. I quickly realized it was his scent. A rich, intense aroma of roses. Very rare for a man, especially a Northerner.

You can sense a werewolf’s emotions from the scent they give off

Right now, I could tell Eren liked me. He wanted me. There was a passionate, almost lustful emotion in his scent.

Subtly, I leaned back a little, putting some safe distance between us. “You must be very popular in Snow Peak Pack.”

He was the Alpha’s son. And he was handsome, charming, and good at flirting. Girls must be falling over themselves for him.

He smiled, not denying it. “And you too, Lady Aria. Plenty of men must have shown their admiration for you by now. I just hope I’m not too late.”

That feeling of irritation rose in me again. I said flatly, “We’ve only just met. And I’m not really ready for a relationship right

now.”

“Not ready for a relationship. That’s such a cliché. Is it that you don’t like me?” he raised an eyebrow at me.

I wanted to tell him that was the reason. But I found it hard to lie to him. Eren was very attractive. He was direct and confident, in a way that wasn’t obnoxious. And he was different from most charming men I knew. He was younger, more vibrant; you could feel the raw energy and hormones radiating from him.

He sensed my hesitation. A grin appeared on his face. “So you do like me.”

“You’re aware of your own charm. I don’t need to deny it. But I genuinely don’t want a relationship or marriage, no matter what my grandmother or your father think.”

He shrugged. “If it’s not because of me, then it’s because of someone else. Perhaps… an old flame?”

He looked over my shoulder toward the back. I didn’t even need to turn around to feel Grayson staring at us. His presence was hard to ignore.

“Want me to get rid of him for you?” Eren winked at me.

His audacity made me laugh. “Oh really? You’d do that for me? You probably don’t know what happened to the men who pursued me before.”

“I know Alpha Grayson is very powerful and intimidating and all that. But please, trust my resolve. A guy can do crazy things for a girl he likes.”

I laughed again. He looked at me, his eyes sparkling.

“There. That smile. It proves there’s potential between us.” He took the red rose from his lapel and pinned the flower, still carrying his scent, to my chest. “I’m not pursuing you just because of my father’s wishes. The first time I heard your name, I

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thought you were a brave, strong girl, and you have everything like. So don’t reject me just yet. Our marriage arrangement isn’t finalized. Why don’t we get to know each other slowly?”

My hand on his arm tightened slightly.

The wise thing would be to refuse him now and avoid more trouble. But I was so tired. Trapped between my family’s endless schemes and anxieties about the future. Maybe I did need a break.

And this handsome, passionate young man seemed like a good way to unwind.

The music happened to end right then. Eren took my hand and kissed the back of it lightly. He didn’t press further or give me a chance to refuse. He simply said, “Can I get you something to drink? Champagne? Red wine?”

I replied with a soft smile. “Champagne, please. Thank you.”

He turned toward the bar. I picked up my skirt and walked toward the large window. I wanted some fresh air. And to cool my burning face.

Yes, I had just realized my cheeks had been flushed the whole time.

Standing by the window, I gazed out at the night. Then, suddenly, the area around me grew quiet, as if I’d entered a vacuum.

I didn’t even need to turn around to know he was behind me.

Before I could say anything, he spun me around and snatched the rose off my chest.

The next second, the rose turned to ashes in his palm.

“Hey!” I cried angrily.

His gaze was dark and intense. “He’s just a stupid boy from the mountains. I can ruin him in an eyeblink.”

Anger flared in my chest. “Is that the only thing you’re capable of Destroying the people and things I like? When will you understand that this won’t make me belong to you?”

“You used to be mine without me needing to do anything. Now, no matter what I do, you push me away. Tell me, what changed?” His eyes were filled with pain.

“Everything,” I took a deep breath. “I don’t need to remind you of what happened, do I?”

I tried to move past him, but he grabbed my arm.

“Dance the next song with me,” he gripped me so tightly I had no doubt it would leave a mark. “Or I’ll have the soldiers I have stationed outside blow your new lover’s head off.”