Tempted By My Ex's Brother-in-Law (Aria and Grayson) novel Chapter 202

Chapter 202

Aria’s POV

I stared at him in disbelief.

What kind of normal person brings snipers to a party?! There was no way he was sane.

“You are fucking crazy,” I hissed, furious.

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“Maybe,” he said, completely unfazed, and tightened his grip. “So what do you say? The next song? Or your lover’s head?”

I shook him off with all my might. “Go ahead. Shoot him. See if you can use that to force me.”

He raised an eyebrow. “You don’t care about his life?”

“I care more about you not being able to use his life against me,” said freezingly.

“So his life doesn’t matter as much as I thought.” That seemed to put him in a better mood.

“Psycho,” I rolled my eyes at him.

He took a step closer, his muscular chest almost touching my shoulder. Now I was completely swallowed by his shadow. “Why are there so many single men at this party? Your grandmother is planning something, isn’t she.

My heart skipped a beat from nervousness. But I pretended to be casual. “You’re completely paranoid, you know that? The number of men at this ball is completely normal. You’re seeing things that don’t exist.”

“Don’t lie to me,” he said coldly. “She’s planning to marry you off

I bit my lip, irritated. Shit, he’s too perceptive.

His eyes gleamed coldly. They were so different from Eren’s. “You’re just a tool to her. She wants to win over those northern packs, so she’s offering you as a bargaining chip. It’s a blatant transaction.”

I scoffed.

Did he think I didn’t know that?

Of course it was nothing but a transaction. Eren’s interest in me, even Rhys’s interest in me, was based on strategic calculations. I never foolishly believed they liked me just for me

I’ve only ever loved ONE person purely, unreservedly, and madly. And that person shattered my

heart.

“It’s my choice, Grayson,” I said to him flatly. “I choose to trade my marriage for greater power. I’m happy to do it. Maybe I’ve grown up.”

His eyes flashed with anger. “You don’t have to-”

“Don’t you fucking tell me what I have to or don’t have to do,” I cut him off sharply, breathing heavily. “You weren’t there when I was completely alone and desperate. This new identity saved my life, not you. So don’t you dare try to talk me out of

it.”

His jaw tensed. There was a long, tense silence. Then he said in a strained voice:

“I have regretted it. Back at Spiky Hill Pack, I should have stood with you. I should have protected you better.”

My chest tightened sharply. I had never heard him apologize for anything. This was the first time.

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Chapter 202

Yet it was too bad it didn’t change anything.

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“So what? It doesn’t turn back time,” I let out a bitter laugh. “Please, Grayson, it’s over between us. I really mean it. I don’t even care that you’re back with Isla anymore. Right now, I just want to move on with my own life.”

Isla is leaving Red Stone Pack,” his voice was hoarse. “We’re not back together. Definitely not engaged. You hate her. So I’ve told her to get the fuck out of my pack by the end of this month

I looked at him, stunned.

Really?

Did he actually do that?

So you believe Isla committed those crimes?” I asked.

“Whether I believe it or not is irrelevant. I only know she upsets you. And that’s reason enough to get

her out of

my pack.”

He raised his hand and gently tucked a strand of my hair behind any ear. His scent of pinewood lingered on me, overpowering the rose fragrance.

“I won’t let you be with anybody else, Aria. You’d better prepare yourself,” he said in a dark, firm voice. “You’d better find a way to make your grandmother drop this arranged marriage idea. Otherwise, I don’t mind making her drop it myself.”

I clenched my fists. “What are you going to do?”

“You don’t want to know. Just remember that wiping out your little pack is a very easy thing to do.” He stared at me deeply, then stepped aside slightly. “If you don’t want to dance, fine. Go get some rest early. Tomorrow’s parade opening might be tiring.”

I didn’t know what to say. So I shot him a glare, gathered my skirt, and quickly left the hall.

I wasn’t sure if Grayson really meant his threat. But it was possible. I’d seen him wipe out a pack of people in the blink of an eye. He was so used to getting what he wanted. He was completely ruthless.

Completely losing my mood for the party, I returned to my room early, took off my gown, removed my makeup, and dropped down in bed.

Before turning in, my phone buzzed.

It was a text from an unknown number:

[Leaving the party without even saying goodbye?]

I immediately sat up straight. [Eren? How did you get my number?]

[Your grandmother gave it to me. Probably felt sorry for me getting cornered by your cousin.]

I almost laughed out loud. Meave was attracted to all good–looking guys. They just never liked her back.

[So? Rain check on that dance?]

I smiled, moving my fingers rapidly across the screen. [First, you have to survive tomorrow’s opening hunt. I hear the competition is fierce.]

He replied quickly. [Not just tomorrow’s hunt, but also your scary ex. He’s been giving me terrifying looks ever since you left.]

The smile quickly vanished from my face. I smirked. [Be sure to lock your door tonight.]

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Chapter 202

[I will. And I’ll prove to him that I’m the man who’s right for you, not him.]

I let out a short, amused laugh at Eren’s confidence.

Clearly, he hadn’t yet witnessed how terrifying Grayson could be

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I didn’t respond to that line, simply replying with a [Good luck on tomorrow’s hunting] before slipping my phone under the pillow and quickly falling asleep.

Tomorrow was a big day. I needed to be well–rested.

The next morning, I was woken by my maids before sunrise. They helped me into a sleek hunting outfit, and I set off for the back mountains.

Today’s parade opening ceremony would be held in the back mountains. Immediately after the opening would be the hunt involving all packs, followed by the grand parade itself.

Frostpine Pack soldiers had already cordoned off the entrance to the back mountains with a security line. Only invited guests could enter the hunting area, while other unauthorized personnel and the media had to wait outside.

When I arrived, a large crowd of reporters with cameras was already gathered at the mountain entrance. They were interviewing Tasmin and Meave, who were happily boasting.

“Mother put me in charge of organizing this major event. I think it proves who her most trusted child is,” Tasmin announced smugly. “And we just won a great victory against the rogues. It’s no exaggeration to say we are the stars of this pack right now.”

Meave added with a grin, “Maybe after the parade, Grandmother will announce my mother as her official heir! Just look forward to that.”

I let out a cold sneer and moved forward.

“Lady Aria!” someone shouted excitedly after spotting me.

All reporters immediately abandoned Tasmin and Meave and swarmed toward me.

“Wait! I’m not done talking yet!” Tasmin said furiously.

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