1. ARIA

About 10 years ago…

When my mother and I had to flee from our pack, we were graciously invited into the Grayson pack. I immediately became best friend's with the Alpha's daughter, Elinor. And spent more waking hours at their house than my own. My mother opened a bookstore in town and was often there before I woke up and after I went to bed. So I spent the majority of time with Elinor.

Of course, I was also fascinated by Elinor's brother Ethan. Who couldn't resist the striking blue eyes of the next Alpha. He didn't really pay much attention to myself or Elinor and our "girlie"things, but when I would catch a glimpse out of the corner of my eye, I couldn't help feeling this connection to him, but I would never tell him I felt that way.

One summer, my mother and I were invited on an ocean vacation to Serenity Shores with the Alpha, his wife, Elinor and of course, Ethan. It was nice to get off pack lands and explore the area. The woods were a wolf's wet dream and I loved the freedom of running.

On more than one occasion, I felt Ethan's eyes on me. I was hoping this was just friendly flirtation but one night, Ethan had a bright idea.

"Ethan, why did you bring me out here?" I asked, curiosity lacing my words.

He turned to face me, his expression serious yet filled with nervousness. "Aria, there"s something I need to tell you," he began, his voice soft.

I felt a flutter of anticipation in my chest, unsure of what he was about to reveal. "What is it?" I prompted, my heart pounding.

Ethan took a deep breath, steeling himself for what was to come. "I know we"ve always had this... connection between us," he started, his eyes searching mine for understanding. "But lately, it"s been different. I can"t shake this feeling that"s been gnawing at me."

I listened intently, captivated by his words and the vulnerability he displayed. "What feeling?" I asked, my curiosity piqued.

He hesitated for a moment before continuing. "Aria, I... I can"t stop thinking about you. You"re always on my mind, and I can"t ignore these feelings anymore."

I couldn't believe it; Ethan was saying all the things I had thought about on more than one afternoon hanging out with Elinor. Could it really be true? Did he see me like I saw him?

As we strolled along the sandy shore, the gentle breeze playing with our hair, Ethan, and I found ourselves drawn to a secluded spot away from the rest of the family.

The soft sound of waves crashing against the shore provided a serene backdrop to our conversation.

His confession hung in the air between us as his words sunk in. I searched his eyes, seeing the sincerity and honesty hidden beneath his usually confident and cool facade.

"Ethan," I whispered. "I... I don"t know what to say."

Before I could utter another word, Ethan closed the distance between us, his lips meeting mine in a tender, passionate kiss. In what seemed like seconds, I felt his palm on my breasts. The feeling of another's hands on me was exhilarating, but when he used both hands, I was puddy in them.

I knew it was a bad idea to go into the changing hut with him, since all we had on was our bathing suits, and it wasn"t long before they were discarded.

Ethan"s eyes never left me, and I felt like the most beautiful girl in the world. Being the first time with a boy, the passionate kisses and tender caresses gave my mind, body and soul a standard that every man would have to live up to. .

But no one held the yearning his eyes held; love in its purest form. At that moment, surrounded by the beauty of the ocean and the warmth of his embrace, I knew our lives would never be the same.

How right I was, just not in the way I had hoped.

That was a lifetime ago, though it felt like yesterday. I still wanted to kill him for ghosting me the moment it was over.

But I could also still remember his hands caressing my body in our cozy space on the beach all those years ago.

Ethan made sure we never spoke again, heading back to his boarding school and then college despite the beautiful connection we shared during that unforgettable night.

I thought we were Fated mates until he swiftly discarded me. I was nothing to him. Clearly, what I felt was one-sided.

Oh, how I loathed him.

This place had been my home since I was nine. Though young, the memories of why I fled with my mother, became a stray wolf, and ended up with the Graysons are still vivid. No matter how hard I tried to push them aside, they resurface, haunting me like ghosts from the past.

The image of walking barefoot through the jungle for days, surviving on wild fruit and stream water, still lingers, threatening to overwhelm me with tears if I allow myself to dwell for too long.

But today, I refused to let those memories consume me. "Not today," I muttered to myself as I snatched my keys from their usual spot and stepped out into the foyer.

The cold bite of winter air greeted me as I stepped outside, but I was grateful that I dressed appropriately for the weather. Standing beside my small car, I noticed the worn rear tire, reminding me of the struggles I faced with my business.

Perhaps I could ask Elinor"s parents for help—they were wealthy and powerful, her father being the esteemed Alpha of the Grayson pack. But at twenty-five, I was tired of feeling like a burden. I"d make my bookstore thrive on my own terms, without relying on their generosity.

"My, my; you"re all dressed up today. Busy day ahead?" Elinor"s voice startled me out of my thoughts, and I turned to see her standing in the doorway, her black hair cascading over her shoulders.

"Yeah, Eli. I have some meetings scheduled for noon," I replied, using the affectionate nickname I"ve given her over the years. She was more than just my best friend, she was my sister.

As we exchanged a few more words, I took in the sight of the Grayson mansion behind her, a grand structure with elegant architecture and sprawling lawns. The exterior was adorned with ivy-covered walls and large windows that let in streams of sunlight, casting a warm, inviting glow throughout the house.

The lawn was meticulously manicured, with vibrant green grass and colorful flower beds adding to its allure. It was a stark contrast to the untamed wilderness I once called home and a reminder of the stability and comfort I"ve found here with the Graysons.

Despite the luxury surrounding me, I was determined to make my way in the world. I would turn my bookstore into the business of my dreams. One that would allow me to buy everything I needed and wanted without relying on anyone"s philanthropy.

As Elinor and I stood in the foyer, she listed off the errands she had to run. "I need to swing by the grocery supplier to pick up some stuff, and then drop off a package at the neighboring pack"s headquarters," she said, adjusting the strap of her purse.

I nodded, understanding the importance of keeping the house on the instruction of her mother. "Sounds like a busy day," I remarked, offering her a supportive smile.

"All part of the job," Elinor replied with a shrug. "I"ll try to make it back before dinner." With a final wave, we bid each other goodbye, promising to keep in touch throughout the day. "Call me if you need anything," I said, missing her presence already.

"I will," Elinor assured me before heading out the door.

As I watched her drive off, I felt a pang of loneliness. Elinor was a constant in my life; our bond unbreakable. After losing my mother and being ignored (again…) by her brother, she was all I had.

Turning my attention back to the task at hand, I climbed into my car and drove off toward the bookstore. The familiar sights and sounds of Havenridge passed by in a blur as I reminisced about the past.

The moment we were naked, he started tracing the sensitive skin around my breasts and down the length of my body with the tip of his fingers. My body was on fire as my breath quickened. Since it was my first time, and I was unsure what to expect, I couldn't bring myself to tell him to stop. I was filled with all sorts of emotions: fear, desire, and anticipation.

I felt like I was floating on air. But as the next day dawned, reality crashed down around me. Ethan was distant and cold, avoiding my gaze and barely acknowledging my presence. He acted like I was just another conquest, a notch in his bedpost with his arrogant attitude..

Confusion gnawed at my insides as I tried to make sense of his sudden change in behavior. It was like he was a completely different person, a stranger wearing Ethan"s face.

I began to doubt myself, questioning whether the events of the previous night had even happened. Maybe it had all been a dream. But then I caught a whiff of his cologne lingering on my skin and got a tangible reminder of his warm lips kissing down my body. An intimacy I felt transforming into something ugly.

Unable to bear the uncertainty, I confronted Ethan and demanded answers.

"Ethan, I don't understand; why are you not talking to me?" I asked, my voice trembling with emotion as I searched his eyes for a glimpse of the boy I had fallen for.

He hesitated, his gaze flickering away from mine before finally meeting it. "Aria, we need to forget about last night," he replied, his voice devoid of emotion.

My heart shattered at his words, the pain of rejection cutting through me like a knife. "Forget?" I repeated, the word tasting bitter on my tongue. "How can you say that? How can you just pretend like nothing happened?"

Ethan"s expression remained impassive, his walls firmly in place. "It was a mistake," he insisted, his tone final. "We were caught up in the moment, but it didn"t change anything. We need to move on and forget about it."

Tears welled in my eyes as his words sunk in. "I can"t just forget, Ethan," I whispered. " We can"t just erase what happened."

But he turned away, leaving me standing alone on the beach, my heart and spirit broken. At that moment, I experienced my first taste of heartbreak, a pain so raw and intense that it threatened to consume me.

As we left Serenity Shores and returned home, life resumed its normal rhythm for everyone else, but I felt stuck in a perpetual state of heartache.

Ethan"s rejection weighed heavily on my relationships going forward, casting a shadow over what should have been a joyful time in my life.

At first, I harbored an intense hatred for Ethan, resenting him for his callous dismissal of our shared moment. I cursed his name and wished I could erase him from my memories.

As I drove down the street more than a decade later, I still hated and despised him, but in time I might forget about him.

I arrived at my bookstore, The Mind"s Paradise, and a sense of calm washed over me. Nestled on a quaint street corner in the heart of Havenridge, the bookstore stood as a sign of solace amid the hustle and bustle of city life.

The exterior of the building was modest yet attractive, with large windows that allowed streams of natural light to filter into the cozy interior.

A hand-painted sign above the entrance proclaimed the name of the bookstore in elegant script, inviting passersby to step inside and escape into the world of literature.

Upon entering, customers were greeted by the comforting scent of old books and freshly brewed coffee, a familiar aroma that never failed to soothe my soul. The interior of the bookstore was divided into two sections, one dedicated to new books for sale, and the other offering titles available for borrowing.

The shelves were meticulously arranged, with books organized by genre and author for easy browsing. Cozy reading nooks were scattered throughout the store, furnished with plush armchairs and soft lighting, inviting customers to curl up and lose themselves in the books' pages.

As I made my way behind the counter, I was greeted by my shop assistant, Jake, who was busy arranging a display of new arrivals.

"Morning, Aria," Jake greeted me with a warm smile. "How is your day going?"

"Morning, Jake," I replied, returning his smile. "It is alright; just another day of the same old same old."

Jake nodded, his eyes scanning the shelves thoughtfully. "Any plans for the day?"

I shook my head, feeling a sense of contentment wash over me. "Not really, just hoping for a quiet day at the bookstore."

"Well, you know where to find me if you need anything," Jake said with a grin before returning his attention to his task.

I smiled as he walked away. I tried to hide the fact that I wouldn"t be able to pay his salary at the end of the month. My mind began to spin as I recalled the debts of my bookstore.

The Mind"s Paradise was more than just a bookstore; but now, my sanctuary felt less like a place where I could find refuge and more of a dark hole threatening to swallow me whole.