Tempted By My Ex's Brother-in-Law (Aria and Grayson) novel Chapter 165

Chapter 165

Aria’s POV

“You both know a lot about women. If I want to win over Alpha Thalira, what do you think I should do?” I asked them.

Damian shrugged. “I don’t normally need to do anything. They all climb into my bed on their own.”

I ignored him and looked at Zane.

“I’d say… figure out what she likes,” Zane said. “What does she like? What does she do in her free time? Who does she like to be around? Do your research before approaching her.”

I turned to Torvi, my only real source of info. She looked troubled. “Our Alpha doesn’t really have any hobbies. She’s either meeting with the elders or locked in her room. She’s solitary, sharp–tongued, fierce… overall, very hard to please.”

“Just get her some jewelry or handbags. All women love those,” Damian suggested.

Torvi shot him a cold look. “Don’t judge our Alpha by your shallow understanding of women. She hates that girly stuff. Last year for her birthday, one of her grandsons bought her a diamond necklace. You should’ve seen how she yelled at him in front of everyone.”

I sighed inwardly. I should’ve known it wouldn’t be easy.

But I had to do it. Lady Quentina–I mean, my mother–already fell out with Alpha Thalira once because of me. I can’t let their relationship get worse again because of me.

“If she doesn’t like ordinary things, then give her something no one else would,” Zane said. “The key is to make her feel special.”

Make her feel special.

Suddenly, I had an idea.

“I know what to get her,” I told Torvi. “Let’s go. What I want to buy isn’t available in this mall.”

I spent the whole day with Torvi shopping for THE gift for Alpha Thalira. I was happy with it. My gut told me she wouldn’t hate it either.

That night, I asked Torvi again if we could reach Lady Quentina, but she still said no.

“I lost contact with her after she went back to Frostpine Pack,” Torvi said grimly. “I heard Alpha Thalira isn’t happy she kept opposing Alpha Grayson during the trial. I wonder if she’s been confined or something.”

I thought of the dreadful scar on Lady Quentina’s face, and how she got it. A shadow fell over my heart.

I’m ready,” I told Torvi. “Let’s get back to Frostpine Pack as soon as possible.”

“Of course. I’ve already arranged our flight home for tomorrow morning.”

I slept very poorly that night. Chaotic dreams kept hunting me.

First, I dreamed of Grayson. He strode up to me and slapped me across the face hard. Isla stood behind him, fake–crying, giving me a smug smile.

Then I dreamed of Alpha Thalira. She stared at me sternly and said that I wasn’t worthy of being her granddaughter or a

Chapter 165

IVOVAO

Lady of Frostpine Pack. Then she took a dagger from the wall and slashed it toward my face,

I woke with a start, sitting up in bed. I was already drenched in cold sweat.

Three soft knocks came at the door, then Torvi peeked in. “Are you alright? I heard you screaming.”

I swallowed, trying to calm my racing heart. “It’s… just a bad dream. I should get up and get ready.”

“It’s only 4 a.m. You can sleep a bit longer.”

“No, I’m fully awake now.” Because I knew if I stayed in bed, I’d just be tossing and turning.

Torvi opened the door, and several maids filed in. They helped me out of bed and brought over my outfit for the day.

Even though I felt perfectly capable of dressing and washing myself, Torvi insisted that being a noble means letting others serve you. If I refused all help, I’d be laughed at. So I gave in and let them assist with my morning routine.

But I had to admit, they were much more talented with hair and makeup than I was. An hour later, they stepped back respectfully, and I stared at the girl in the mirror.

The girl in the mirror had thick, silky long hair. It wasn’t styled elaborately, just flowing over her shoulders, but it shone as if every strand had been carefully tended–like rich people’s hair does.

The makeup was elegant and simple. No dramatic eyeshadow or eyeliner, no overly bright lipstick. It was overall a nude, classic look.

Torvi hadn’t chosen a dress for me because Alpha Thalira prefers women around her to wear trousers. Today I was dressed in a camel–colored long–sleeved top and white pants. Very old–money style.

I barely recognized the girl in the mirror anymore. She wasn’t the girl from the slums, nor was she just some Alpha’s lover.

She looked every bit a noblewoman, like Isla, Daliah, even Grayson’s mother.

I used to admire those noblewomen so much.

And now, I was one of them.

I took a deep breath and turned to those waiting. “Let’s go.”

To avoid the paparazzi chasing me, Torvi arranged for me to go straight to the underground garage and from there directly to the airport.

But at the airport, we inevitably ran into a crowd. It was the Alphas and nobles who had flown to Spike Hill Pack for the trial. Most of them were also planning to leave today.

I got out of the car and saw a long line of luxury vehicles. Many nobles stood by their cars with their servants and bodyguards. They all turned to stare at me with strange expressions.

The atmosphere was awkward. They couldn’t pretend not to see me, but they weren’t sure if they should come over and talk

› me.

After all, just two days ago, they’d sentenced me to death. And now, I had risen to their level.

“Lady Aria.”

A loud voice made everyone turn. It was Damian. He strode toward me with a lazy smile on his handsome face.

“So glad to run into you here. Gives me a chance to say goodbye in person.”

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Chapter 165

He placed his hands on my shoulders, leaned over and gave me a kiss on the check. Then he whispered in my car

*…Zane had to leave early. He asked me to wish you

well.”

I looked at him suspiciously. “You didn’t hurt him again, did you?”

He sighed. “That sting. Do I seem like the type to break my word?” Then he raised his voice again, as if for the crowd to hear. “I’m sure Alpha Thalira will be thrilled to have found such a brilliant granddaughter. My brother and I would like to visit you at Frostpine Pack later, if we may.”

“Of course. It’d be my pleasure,” I replied with a smile.

With him leading the way, the nobles gradually came over, shaking my hand, wishing me well. Some still looked uncomfortable, but I pretended not to notice, making polite small talk with each.

“Miss Collins.”

I looked up. The crowd stiffened and parted.

Alpha Vladimir stood there, staring at me with a faint smile.

I felt Torvi tense beside me. But I subtly squeezed her arm, signaling her to stay calm.

“Alpha Vladimir,” I nodded to the frightening old man. “And it’s Lady Aria, by the way.”

He narrowed his sharp eyes. “Well, Lady Aria, or Miss Collins… or Omega Aria Collins… we’ll see, won’t we? Alpha Thalira hasn’t officially claimed you back yet. It’s a bit early to say, isn’t it?”

I shrugged. “I’m sure my grandmother will acknowledge me. And you must be confident too, right Alpha Vladimir? Otherwise, you wouldn’t have come here personally to see me off.”

A few people around seemed to stifle laughs. Alpha Vladimir’s expression turned annoyed. He waved a hand behind him, and two soldiers dragged forward a hooded man.

“Who’s this?” I frowned.

“A farewell gift,” he said slyly, a sinister smile on his face. “Take off the hood and see for yourself.”

I exchanged a look with Torvi. She stepped forward and yanked the hood off for me.

I froze immediately.

Underneath was a man, bloody and bruised almost beyond recognition. But even with his face all swollen, I still recognized him–he was that same driver from the execution day, the one who tried to rape me with the soldiers in the transport truck.

Grayson killed all his buddies, but apparently missed him.

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