Chapter 6: Destroyed Reputation

Aria's POV:

This situation is very uncomfortable.

"Why did you --"

Anthony made a move. He crossed the space between us and took my right hand. Before I could ask what he was about to do, he brought my wrist up to his face, inhaling deeply.

I turned bright red and pulled my hand back. "What are you doing?!" The words tumbled out of my mouth.

I tried not to think about the fact that his hand was so warm, much larger than mine. He raised his eyes to mine.

"Your scent is strange,"

"S-strange?" I sniffed my wrist, trying to figure out if there was a strange smell. I smelled of the bath oils Claire put in the bath water. Roses and vanilla.  "It seems okay to me."

Anthony didn't look convinced. But he didn't press either.

"Alpha Aria, I'll ask you again. What were you doing with Dane?" He inquired, his brows furrowed.

I chuckled bitterly. "I can't understand why you're more upset at this than I am. It's not like I was with him....things just happened."

"Things like what?" He pressed on. His voice was tight and urgent. Like if I didn't answer immediately, something bad will happen. "Being seen with Dane is a huge smear on your reputation, Alpha Aria. Do you know what that means?"

I glared at him. "Reputation? What reputation do I have left?! I'm sure in the whole realm, everyone knows what happened by now. My reputation is gone already."

Anthony's eyes darted to the side, he took a deep breath. Then he turned and faced me. "What happened?"

I have to tread very carefully right now. This was Anthony Bourdain. He holds power and influence—all of it. It was by mere chance that he came to Nightfang, most alphas never had the chance to meet him in person.

As much as I try, I can't come up with a reason as to why he would 'save' me from Dane. When he came to Nightfang, we barely exchanged ten sentences. I was of the belief that by now he would have forgotten about me, about us.

And yet here we are.

I stared at him, trying to read his expression. It was something I would often do with Logan, stare at him long enough to figure out the workings of his mind.

"Damn it. Again." I hissed under my breath.

All I could see on Anthony's face was mild annoyance.

"Why did you even take me?" I asked, redirecting the question. I needed to know his motives before I told him anything.

This man is dangerous. Everyone in the realm knows that.

"That wasn't what I asked you."

"I want to know." I inquired. "Why did you take me? And you paid so much money. We aren't friends, much less close. Why would you do such a thing?"

"You're an alpha from a respected pack. Dane putting you on display in front of those disgusting men, his head deserved to be hanged."

The coldness in his voice made me feel a bit nauseated. No doubt, he meant every word he said.

I hugged myself, rubbing my arms. The air suddenly felt cold and stuffy. Anthony blinked, and the oppressive aura in the air was gone. I felt like I could breath again.

"Dane had his men kidnap me." I started to explain. I looked to Anthony for confirmation. He nodded, indicating I could go ahead.

I told him what had happened back at Nightfang; about Logan and Darcy betraying me and kicking me out. I intended to skip out on the part about the infertility curse. But I hadn't gone through the story before I saw him start to react.

"I knew he was trouble." Anthony said, his voice an angry growl. "That damned bastard."

I paused, confusion on my face. "Who?"

"Logan."

My heart plummeted to the floor. I recalled clearly when Anthony had visited Nightfang. Logan expressed hatred for him. I didn't think much about it back then. Could it be something else that was going on?

And now Anthony is saying the same thing.

"He's not a...." I caught myself defending Logan. I closed my eyes briefly. It still hurt. My heart still hurt. And old habits took time to die.

"How could he do such a thing to you? Exiling you from your own pack?!" Anthony's eyes flashed red, a stark contrast from his normally green eyes. He looked terrifying, like all the stories painted him to be.

I felt a bolt of fear zap through me. I knew in the back of my mind that he won't hurt me, but the doubts were there.

If I told him about the curse, would that justify Logan in his eyes?

"Alpha Anthony, it's late. I shouldn't be taking up your time."

I didn't want to talk about Logan anymore. Each time I did so much as remember his face, my heart would burn in pain. Right now, what is he doing? Was he with Darcy in our bed? Telling her how the stars took root in her eyes, how she was the best thing that happened to him? Were they talking about me? Did they even talk about me?

"Alpha Aria!"

I snapped out of my daze. "Yes?"

Anthony's gaze softened. The red in his eyes was gone, replaced by calming green. "What are you going to do now?"

What will I do now? It's late. Even though I had spent all day asleep, I felt tired.

"I need to rest.""

"I know that. What are you going to do about your pack that was taken from you?"

"It wasn't taken from me. I gave it to Logan." I netted Anthony's eyes. "And I'm going to take it back. "

A strange light came into his eyes. It was like his aura changed. I felt a shiver run down my spine. Was that....malice?

"Good answer." He said, a smirk on his face. "Very good, alpha Aria."

My heart stopped for a second, started back up, and began to race. Suddenly, my skin felt too hot. What's going on?!