Tempted By My Ex's Brother-in-Law (Aria and Grayson) novel Chapter 205

Chapter 204

Aria’s POV

A chill ran down my spine. I said icily, “I never said I wanted to be part of this hunt.”

Tasmin’s grin widened. “You didn’t. But this is for Frostpine Pack’s honor. Don’t you want to fight for our pack?”

Then she raised her voice as if for everyone present to hear:

“Everyone knows I’ve fought the rogues tooth and nail. My sister manages the pack’s finances. Of course, Sable is too young to mention. But what have Quentina and her daughter ever done besides causing sex scandals? They don’t deserve their Lady titles…”

“Enough,” Alpha Thalira interrupted her angrily. “This is our family business. No need to bore our guests with it.”

“But I’m just saying, Mother. Winning honor for our pack in this hunt is the least she can do,” Tasmin insisted.

All eyes in the tent were fixed on me. Everyone present knew I had lost my wolf. Participating in this dangerous hunt could cost me my life.

So they understood Tasmin wanted to kill me. That evil woman couldn’t even be bothered to hide her intentions anymore.

Eren abruptly stood up, speaking sharply, “No, I object.”

Tasmin eyed him sideways. “Don’t forget you and Aria aren’t married yet. This is our pack’s internal matter, none of your business. Better shut your mouth and sit down, young man.”

“If you really wanted someone to win honor for Frostpine Pack, you wouldn’t have chosen Lady Aria. You chose her to get her killed!” Eren said coldly.

“Ha!” Tasmin let out a loud, icy laugh. “Putting her in a tiny hunting competition is trying to kill her? Every day, countless soldiers fight bloody battles out there, and they don’t complain about the risk of getting killed. What makes Aria so special? Or does she think her life is more precious than others?”

Eren tried to speak again furiously, but Alpha Bjorn cut him off sternly: “Sit down, son.”

I get it. The alliance between Frostpine Pack and Snow Peak Pack isn’t official yet, so Alpha Bjorn doesn’t want to get involved in our internal conflict.

I bit my lip and turned to look at Alpha Thalira. She was the only one who could stop this nonsense.

She sat on her throne, deep in thought. After a long, tense silence, she looked up, her sharp eyes gleaming under heavy eyelids.

“Aria should represent Frostpine Pack in the competition,” she said flatly.

My heart sank heavily.

Tasmin exclaimed with glee, “Wise call, Mother!”

I gritted my teeth, glaring at her intensely. She seemed to sense my anger and said in a cool voice, “Tasmin was right about one thing. You DO need to prove your worth and loyalty to everyone.”

Bullshit.

This wasn’t about me proving my worth. This was a punishment.

She was punishing me for not getting rid of Grayson, thereby affecting the marriage alliance she arranged for me. She couldn’t tolerate the slightest resistance from a pawn. This pack’s tyrant was colder than all her children.

“And if I don’t come back from this hunt?” I asked hoarsely.

She shrugged, expressionless. “Then you are not a true member of Frostpine Pack.”

I had overestimated her regard for me. Obviously, she could easily cultivate other pawns, like Sable. And Eren didn’t necessarily have to marry me. It could be any woman in this pack.

The most important thing about Alpha Thalira’s pawns is that they must be obedient. And I wasn’t obedient enough.

I took a deep breath and looked at the competitors from the other packs.

They stood together, looking at me with bloodthirsty smiles. Every single one of them looked like they could snap my neck with one hand.

The sounds of beasts from the distant mountains grew louder.

I’ve been in danger before. But this was the first time I was being pushed into the shadow of death by everyone, hand in hand.

But I had no choice but to obey.

So I stood up and walked over to the other competitors. I turned out to be the only girl among them. Those men whispered excitedly, rubbing their hands together, seemingly eager to see me beg and cry.

And that’s when Grayson suddenly rose from his seat.

The moment he stood, the air in the venue fell dead silent. Everyone watched him nervously.

Tasmin was also tense. She spoke first: “Alpha Grayson, our Alpha has already decided Aria will compete. Not even you can stop this now.”

“I’m not stopping it,” Grayson said coolly. “I’m just announcing that I will be competing as the representative

for Red Stone Pack.”

WHAT?!

Chapter 204

The venue immediately erupted with gasps of shock.

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First, today’s competitors were all from smaller packs. Even though Red Stone Pack had many soldiers present, people assumed they wouldn’t participate. Otherwise, the competition would have no suspense.

Second, even if Red Stone Pack were to participate, they didn’t need Grayson himself to compete. He was one of the most powerful Alphas in the world.

Amidst the noisy discussion, one of the burly soldiers behind Grayson said urgently, “Alpha, there’s no need for you to trouble yourself. We can easily-”

“No. I’ll do this myself.”

He took off his jacket, revealing a black short–sleeve shirt underneath. His broad shoulders, muscular chest, and defined waist were fully visible. He walked toward us, and the male competitors all took a step back, expressions of fear on their faces.

“What are you doing?” I hissed at him when he came close. “Don’t tell me you’re interested in the winner’s prize!”

He shrugged, a faint smile on his lips. “What if I am?”

“Don’t be ridiculous. You’re just…” I paused.

He leaned down, his gray eyes burning as they looked at me. “Yes, I just want to help you. I know you don’t need it. But I want to do it anyway.”

His gaze sent a shiver down my spine. He straightened up, enveloping me in his shadow, and looked at the other competitors. “Does anyone want to come with us?”

The competitors who had just been excited to enter the woods with me suddenly fell silent. They gulped, taking a small step back. Nobody answered.

“I didn’t think so either,” Grayson let out a small snort and looked at me. “Shall we, Aria?”

I glanced at Alpha Thalira, who was also watching me darkly. Clearly, Grayson stepping up to help me had angered her even more. But I couldn’t care that much right now. I needed to survive this hunt first.

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