Tempted By My Ex's Brother-in-Law (Aria and Grayson) novel Chapter 148

Chapter 148

Chapter 148

Aria’s POV

Who would he pick? Me or Isla?

It was the question that had haunted me for so long. And now, finally, I was about to find out.

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The entire courtroom was staring at him, waiting for his answer. After what felt like forever, Grayson finally leaned toward the mic.

“I abstained,” he said. His voice calm, deep, and steady.

For a moment, my mind went totally blank.

He… gave up his vote?!

No. No, he couldn’t. The evidence was right there! Nova had worked her ass off collecting everything, and he had seen it all. He must know Isla was guilty. He promised me he’d avenge for me. He promised me he’d make her pay!

How could he… just walk away from that?

A few seconds of stunned silence. And then chaos. The courtroom erupted. Everyone was talking to other people in shock. The elder from Spike Hill Pack had to slam the gong and shout over the noise:

“The result stands–two votes guilty, two votes not guilty, and one abstained. A tie. The trial will be postponed and re–examined at a later date!”

I bit down so hard I could taste blood. Anger and disbelief choked me, making it hard to breathe.

I looked over at Isla. She lifted her chin with a smug smile curling at her lips. She was waving to the crowd as she left the courtroom like she’d just won a great battle.

I was supposed to be the one putting her behind bars today. She was supposed to pay for everything she did

to me.

But now… she walked free.

All because of that one deciding vote from my dear boyfriend.

Grayson fucking betrayed me.

Hot tears streamed down my face. Someone caught me as my knees gave out, and I leaned against her

shoulder.

“Don’t give up. This isn’t the end yet.” Lady Quentina’s voice was soft in my ear.

I shook my head, choking.

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Chapter 148

It wasn’t the verdict that broke me. It was him.

:

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Now I finally knew–and not just me, but the whole damn world knew–who he truly cared about.

He said he loved me so many times, but that one vote spoke louder than every word.

I was such an idiot. Such a fucking clown.

“My lady, let me take her,” Torvi said.

“No. I got her. Let’s get out of here.”

Our team surrounded us as we moved toward the exit, cutting us off from the crowd. But outside the doors, another wave of people blocked our way.

Isla was right there in the middle, basking in the cameras.

“Lady Isla, please tell us about your thoughts on today’s result!” a reporter called out.

She smiled sweetly, her voice filled with fake innocence.

“I just want to thank everyone who voted for me. Because of you, justice was served. And for those who voted against me–you’re still blinded by Aria’s lies. But I believe you’ll come around before the final trial.”

The reporter pushed further. “Alpha Grayson abstained. That’s a bit shocking, isn’t it? Before today, many people thought he’d vote for his current girlfriend Aria.”

Isla giggled. “Shocking? No, not really. I’ve always known Grayson trusts me. He well knows who’s guilty and who’s innocent. I’m sure by the final trial, he’ll cast his vote for me and put that liar Aria in jail.”

The reporter nodded. “Well, after today, I’m sure a lot of people will join your team. I mean, not even her own boyfriend believes her, why would anyone else trust her words?”

My body trembled with rage as I glared at that smug bitch. Every cell in me screamed to me, urging me to tear her apart.

If I can’t get my justice from the court, I’m serving my own justice here and now!

But somebody grabbed my shoulder before I could dash forward.

“Don’t be stupid,” Lady Quentina whispered sharply. “Torvi, lead the way. Let’s go.”

She dragged me away and shoved me into the waiting car. The moment the door closed, I broke down completely.

“Why didn’t you just let me kill that bitch?” I screamed through my sobs. “I had a shot! I fucking had a shot!”

“You had shit,” Selena snapped. “Our lady just saved your damn life, okay? Isla was surrounded by a dozen armed guards. Even if she wasn’t, you wouldn’t have stood a chance. You don’t even have your wolf anymore. Use your damn brain and think.”

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Chapter 148

I glared at her. She was probably right, but I still wanted to strangle her.

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Lady Quentina let out a sigh. “I know you want revenge, Aria. But attacking her in public would’ve been the worst thing to do. It would make you look desperate–guilty even. You’re already losing your supporters after today. Don’t throw away the last bit of hope you have for the final trial.”

I dropped my head, tears falling on the back of my hand. Seriously, I don’t know what chance I still have for the final trial. Probably none.

And it all came back to Grayson.

This entire disaster was his doing.

“… Thank you for everything, Lady Quentina,” I said softly, wiping my nose. “But no… it’s over now. You don’t have to waste your time on me anymore.”

She frowned. “What do you mean? You’re just going to give up?”

I let out a bitter laugh. “I mean, what else can I do now? The whole world saw my boyfriend turn his back on me today. Nobody’s going to believe a single word I say anymore. I’ll lose every supporter I have. I don’t even need to wait for the next trial–I already know how it ends.”

Quentina’s expression turned cold. It was the first time she’d ever looked angry with me.

“So what? You’re going to let a man decide your fate? Because he gave up on you, you’re going to give up on yourself too?” Her tone was sharp, cutting. “Where’s that fire you had earlier when you wanted to kill Isla? Use that anger to save yourself. Don’t hand your enemy an easy win!”

My fists tightened as my chest ached with conflict. Selena glanced at me and scoffed. “Why bother, my lady? Look at her, she’s all defeated. She doesn’t have the fighter’s blood like we do. She’s just a soft wuss.”

“I’m not a soft wuss!” I shouted back.

“Oh really? One vote from your man and you’re already crumbling. You don’t even want to fight anymore. Pathetic. I can’t believe you were ever part of Frostpine.” She mocked.

My breath came fast and shaky. “I’m not crumbling! I just… I just don’t know what else I can do to change this.”

“It’s not as hard as you think actually,” Torvi said, jumping into the conversation. “The rule’s still the same: you need three votes out of five Houses. So before the final trial, you need to find a way to convince the ones who voted against you.”

Grayson’s face flashed in my mind. I grimaced instantly. No way. I’d rather jump off a fucking bridge and drown myself than talk to him right now.

Lady Quentina must’ve guessed what I was thinking. She squeezed my hand. “Don’t worry. You don’t have to talk to Grayson. Let’s start with the other two who voted against you.”

“House of East is a dead end,” Torvi said. “Its leader, Alpha Jeremy, is too close to Vladimir. He’ll never side

with us.”

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Chapter 148

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“Then we start with the House of West,” Quentina decided. “I heard their Alpha is going hunting tomorrow. We’ll join him, Aria.”

I nodded, and then a surge of guilt welled up inside me. “I’m….I’m sorry about earlier, Lady Quentina. I shouldn’t have lost hope so fast. That wasn’t cool.”

“It’s alright. I knew you’d pull yourself together eventually,” she said gently, smiling at me. “I got your back, sweetheart. Go make your asshole boyfriend regret his decision today.”

The next morning before sunrise, Lady Quentina and I left the hotel and headed north toward a mountain range near Spike Hill Pack.

A huge hunt for just the nobles was being held there.

It had been a long time since I last hunted. And since I’d lost my wolf, I was nervous as hell. Hunting alongside some of the strongest werewolves in the world? Yeah, not ideal. I just prayed no one would force me to prove my skills today.

When we arrived, there was already a group of people gathered near the forest, checking their weapons and

gear.

I scanned the crowd and didn’t see Grayson. That put my mind at ease slightly. Thank god I wasn’t ready to face him yet.

“There.”

Torvi leant over and whispered to us, “That’s Alpha Damian, leader of the House of West. Word is, he’s unpredictable and violent. We’d better be careful.”

Lady Quentina nodded and called out, “Alpha Damian!”

A tall man with fiery red hair turned around.

He was definitely handsome. But there was something dangerous, almost dark, about him. You could just tell he’s not exactly a nice person.

…And he looked very familiar.

I frowned, puzzled. We’d met before. But where?

“Ah, Lady Quentina,” he said smoothly, walking over and kissing the back of her hand. “So nice to have you join us today.”

Then he straightened up and looked at me. A sly smile curved his lips.

“Aria. Long time no see. You’ve managed to get even prettier,” he said with a low chuckle. “No wonder my brother Zane still can’t get you out of his head.”

My stomach dropped with horror.

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Chapter 148

Fuck. Now I remembered.

Alpha Damian Elrod. That’s my friend Zane’s brother!

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Half a year ago, Zane had tried to help me escape from Grayson. We made it all the way to the border until Damian and Grayson caught us. Zane was dragged back by this horrible guy, and I never saw them again.

Until now.

1 froze, staring at Damian as a chill ran through my body.

With our history, there’s no way this man would help me.

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