Tempted By My Ex's Brother-in-Law (Aria and Grayson) novel Chapter 203

Chapter 203: Aria’s Admirers

Aria’s POV

My jaw literally dropped. I couldn’t even hide my shock in front of the press.

Grayson was here for my husband–selection event? Did he know what he was saying?!

First, there was no such event. Second, even if I were to choose a husband… was he seriously putting himself forward? That would mean we’d have to get married. I thought settling down was one of his greatest fears. There was a long, stunned silence. Then one of the reporters stammered:

“Y–You want to be Lady Aria’s husband? But I thought… we all thought you were getting back with your ex–wife, Lady Isla. And that you were going to get married next year…”

Grayson’s expression visibly turned icy.

“This is a good time to clear that up,” he said freezingly. “I have never had any intention of getting back with Isla. That was just a rumor that started from who knows where. And I have explicitly ordered Isla to get the hell out of my pack by the end of this month.”

The camera flashes went wild. These people were clearly thrilled to have captured a first–hand explosive story. “So… you’re saying you would genuinely consider marrying Lady Aria?!”

Grayson said in a voice that suggested it was no big deal, “If Lady Aria will have me, of course.”

My whole body stiffened.

Those cameras immediately swiveled and pointed at me.

“Aren’t you going to comment on that, Lady Aria? Alpha Grayson just proposed-”

I cut him off sharply, snapping, “That’s not a proposal.”

“I can get down on one knee if you prefer,” Grayson said with a faint smile.

The crowd let out a wave of excited squeals.

My entire face burned. Hadn’t he talked enough nonsense? Couldn’t he see he was causing me a ton of trouble?!

“Do you really need to consider it?” a female reporter giggled, her own face flushing pink. “Alpha Grayson is like… the most perfect man in the world! You’ll never find a better husband than him. If you ask me, you should accept his proposal right now.”

“Yet nobody asked for your opinion, did they?” I said coldly.

“We’re just saying,” said another reporter. “Even now that you’re a Lady, there’s still a huge gap between you and Alpha Grayson. Him being willing to marry you is already a chance of life for you. You shouldn’t be that ungrateful. Just think about it–that’s the Luna of Red Stone Pack! A much more noble position than your current status as a mere lady.”

A wave of anger surged in my chest.

What right did they have to say something like that to me? They didn’t know the hurt Grayson had caused me. They might dream of being his Luna, but not me. I’m done wanting that position.

I was about to yelled at those reporters when a booming voice came from behind me:

“That is complete and utter nonsense!”

I whipped my head around to see Alpha Thalira and Alpha Bjorn walking toward us together. The one who had spoken was Eren, following close behind them.

Eren strode up to the reporter, looking down at him from his height, and said coldly, “How dare you speak to Lady Aria like that?”

That reporter was clearly intimidated by Eren. He quickly took a step back, then said stubbornly, “D–Did I say something wrong?”

Chapter 203: Aria’s Admirers

“Not everyone wants to be Grayson Hart’s Luna. Not all women are that shallow, needing to rely on a man. At least Aria is definitely not that kind of woman,” Eren said, then shot a challenging look at Grayson. “Not to mention that Aria isn’t just ANY Lady. She has the potential to be an Alpha, to lead the entire Frostpine Pack. Compared to that, a mere Luna title is nothing.”

The reporter swallowed nervously. Then Eren raised his voice, as if wanting everyone present to hear:

“Lady Aria has plenty of admirers. People should be on their knees begging for her love. Any guy with a huge ego should just get the hell out of here already.”

My face flushed, my heart racing. No man had ever defended me so passionately in public before.

Grayson narrowed his eyes at Eren. “Is that why you want to marry Aria?”

“What?” Eren was taken aback.

“You’re only after her because you think she’ll become an Alpha. You don’t love her; you’re just after the power she might have in the future,” Grayson snorted.

Eren’s brown eyes flashed with anger. “That’s fucking bullshit. You’re just slandering me because you want to get rid of a rival? That’s really low.”

“I don’t need to attack you, because you are practically nothing to me,” Grayson said dismissively. “Aria and I have been through more than you can ever imagine. I’m the only one who can swear I love HER, not her power. And you’d better lower your voice in front of me. Because it’s so fucking easy to destroy a small pack like your hometown.”

Eren clenched his fists, enraged. And at that moment, Alpha Thalira spoke up coldly, “My granddaughter will only marry an ally of Frostpine Pack. Alpha Grayson, even if you are one of the most powerful Alphas in the world, you are still not our ally.”

Grayson’s face grew cold. Alpha Thalira glanced at the reporters and said, “These scums dare to insult my granddaughter. Soldiers, drag them out of here and make sure they can never set foot on Frostpine Pack soil again.”

“Yes, Alpha!”

Soldiers charged at the two reporters who had mocked me and seized them. They were too stunned to resist and were dragged away immediately. Then Alpha Thalira offered her arm to me. “Aria, walk with me.”

I could feel Grayson’s intense gaze on me, but I ignored him. I linked arms with Alpha Thalira, and we walked toward the hunting grounds together.

When we were at a distance from the others, Alpha Thalira said to me, “You need to control Alpha Grayson.” A wave of irritation rose in me. “As if he could be tamed or controlled by anyone.”

“Even if he can’t, you have to try,” she said coldly. “We can’t afford to cross him. But I also don’t want your… scandal to ruin our chances of forming an alliance through marriage with Snow Peak Pack.”

“I was just about to tell you, I am not ready to get married yet-”

“Cut it out, Aria,” she interrupted me without hesitation. “You and I both know you’re not marrying for love this time. You’re marrying for power and a fucking crown. Not to mention your mother is still in my hands. For her sake, you should follow really my arrangements, shouldn’t you?”

My right hand clenched into a fist so tightly my nails dug into my palm. I didn’t say a single word.

“Think about it.”

Alpha Thalira gave me that warning, then released my arm and walked away from me.

I stood there, letting out a frustrated sigh.

So now, Grayson wants me to get rid of my suitor, and my grandmother wants me to get rid of Grayson. And neither side is easy to deal with. I’m stuck in the middle.

I really didn’t know what to do. After a brief hesitation, I decided to focus on the upcoming parade for now.

The entire back mountain had been renovated for this grand event. A huge tent was set up in the clearing,

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Chapter 203: Aria’s Admirers

where all the honored guests were seated. From the distant, deep mountains came the occasional long howls of beasts–the area where the hunting competition would be held later.

Alpha Thalira shook hands with the guests one by one, then took her seat in the place in the middle. I followed her absentmindedly, lost in my own troubles.

Once everyone was seated, Tasmin stood up, cleared her throat, and announced loudly:

“Honored guests, welcome! As you all know, Frostpine Pack, under my leadership, has recently crushed the rogues. It’s a victory destined for the history books. And this grand parade is to commemorate that victory. Thank you all for coming here to celebrate with us.”

There was a round of applause. Tasmin waited smugly for it to die down before continuing:

“We are going to start the grand parade with a hunting competition. Every pack present may send its own champion to participate. The winner will receive a grand prize. But please remember, this hunt is extremely dangerous. Not only are there many fierce beasts waiting in the forest, but attacks between contestants are also allowed. There is no withdrawal, even if it leads to death. So think carefully before you decide.”

Then, she began inviting the competitors from each pack to come forward. Every single one was a tall, muscular adult male. Any of them could crush a man’s skull with their bare hands.

Snow Peak Pack’s competitor was Eren. Finally, only Frostpine Pack’s competitor remained to be announced. I hadn’t been paying attention to what Tasmin was saying. I was lost in my own thoughts. Suddenly, my thoughts were shattered by her booming voice:

“And Frostpine Pack’s competitor is–Lady Aria!!!”

I jolted, snapping back to reality.

What the fuck? I don’t even have a wolf. How can I represent our pack in this competition?

I looked up and met Tasmin’s gaze. She grinned, giving me a cruel smile.

In that instant, I understood.

She wants to use this to kill me.

And if I don’t survive, I’ll be bed before I ever have a chance to expose her crimes.

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