12. ARIA

The warm glow of the dimly lit room welcomed me, casting soft shadows that danced across the walls. Elinor"s taste in decor was evident in every corner, with plush cushions on the sofa and intricate art hanging from the walls.

I admired the calming ambiance of her space, a stark contrast to the emotions raging inside me.

"Elinor," I began, my voice barely above a whisper as I poured out my heart to my dear friend. "I don"t know where to start…"

Elinor"s gentle eyes met mine, filled with understanding and compassion. Without a word, she reached out and wrapped me in a warm embrace, offering silent solace as I struggled to find the words.

"It"s okay, Aria," she murmured soothingly, her voice a soft melody in the quiet room. "You can tell me anything."

And so, with tears streaming down my cheeks, I poured out the truth that I had been hiding for so long. I told her about the night I had spent with Ethan, the passion, and the bond I felt in my soul that consumed me. I confessed my love for him, despite the bitterness and resentment that lingered in my heart.

"I"m so torn," I admitted, my voice cracking with emotion. "Part of me wants to hate him for what he"s done, but another part can"t help but feel drawn to him like there"s some kind of... line of energy between us."

Elinor listened patiently without judgment or criticism. "You"re not alone, Aria," she whispered, her voice filled with love and compassion. "You know I'm right here, don"t you?"

And at that moment, surrounded by the warmth and love of my dear friend, I knew that no matter what was ahead, I would find the strength to face it.

As I rested in Elinor"s comforting embrace, my mind was a whirlwind of thoughts and emotions. Despite the solace of her presence, I couldn"t shake the anxiety nibbling at my heart.

What was I supposed to do now? How could I reconcile the love I felt for Ethan with the betrayal of his actions? The mere thought of him sent a wild wave of emotions crashing over me, leaving me feeling both exhilarated and defeated.

Despite my inner battle, I knew one thing for certain: I couldn"t continue to hide from the truth. I had to confront Ethan and face the consequences of our tangled emotions.

"Elinor," I murmured, breaking the silence. "I need to talk to Ethan. I can"t keep running from this."

Elinor"s gaze softened, and her eyes filled with unwavering support. "I understand, Aria," she said gently. "Just remember that whatever happens, I"ll be here for you every step of the way."

It was time to confront Ethan and lay bare the truth of my feelings, no matter how daunting or painful it might be.

But as I prepared to face the storm that awaited me, a flicker of doubt crept into my heart. Would Ethan be willing to listen? Could he understand the depth of my emotions, or was I doomed to face this journey alone?

With newfound resolve, I left Elinor and returned to my apartment. The streets were quiet as I walked, and the night air was cool against my skin. Every step felt like a leap into the unknown, but I refused to let fear hold me back.

As I approached my building, the sense of unease returned. The hair on the back of my neck stood on end, and I couldn"t shake the feeling that I was being watched.

Was it just my imagination running wild, or was there someone in the shadows?

Ignoring the rising sense of paranoia, I hurried inside and locked the door behind me. The familiar surroundings offered little solace, the empty rooms echoing with a loneliness that reflected what was in my heart.

With a heavy sigh, I sank onto the couch and reached for my phone. It was time to face the inevitable. I had to confront Ethan and ask him why he'd done this. How could he have pretended to care for me? But as I stared at his contact name on the screen, something made me hesitate.

What if he didn't deny it? What if our bond was nothing more than an illusion? The thought gave me chills, but I refused to let it deter me. I had to take the chance.

I pressed the call button and waited anxiously as the phone rang. Ethan answered on the first ring.

"Helllo, gorgeous." His voice was warm and familiar, sending a rush of relief flooding through me.

"Ethan," I said, my voice trembling. "Why did you do it?"

As his voice crackled through the phone, I noticed the tremor in his tone. He seemed hesitant to answer.

"Yes I tried to obtain your business, but I didn't in the end, so it doesn"t count." I could sense his unease as he struggled with his guilt. He had known all along that the truth would come out, that the fa?ade he had carefully constructed would eventually crumble.

"So you had nothing to do with the wolves?" I couldn"t bring myself to feel sorry for him. My heart was still raw with betrayal, and my mind was reeling from the realization that the man I had come to care for was capable of such deceit.

"Let me come over to explain," he begged.

And a part of me wanted to allow him the chance to explain himself face-to-face. But another part recoiled at the thought, and the fear of being watched was still fresh in my mind.

"I think this was a bad idea.I shouldn't have called. It"s probably best if we talk later," I replied, my voice steady though I felt nothing but. "I need some time to process everything."

There was a moment of silence on the other end of the line as if Ethan was struggling with my decision. But then he sighed.

"Alright," he said softly. "I need you to know that I didn"t mean it to turn out the way it did."

With that, we said our goodbyes, even though my mind was brimming with unspoken words and bottled-up emotions. I hung up the phone, but I couldn"t help but feel the emptiness that clutched at me as the reality of our fractured relationship sunk in.

I paced my apartment as I thought about my next course of action.

Why had he tried to take the land he knew meant so much to me? How could he have looked me in the eyes knowing he was poking holes in the parachute I was preparing to use to save my business? All the while setting me up to be assaulted by rogue wolves.

The other night felt like a cruel illusion, a mirage of affection designed to mask the cold truth of his betrayal. Did he think his words could mend the shattered pieces of my heart, or that his touch could erase the pain of his deception?

A steely resolve began to take root within me. I refused to be a victim of Ethan"s deceit, to let his actions define my worth or dictate my destiny. I vowed to confront Ethan, demand answers, and reclaim the pieces of my shattered heart.

As I mulled over my options, a new thought struck me. Perhaps speaking to Mr. Grayson, the senior Alpha, could help solve this. I recalled the genuine concern in his eyes the last time we spoke, and the way he had asked me what was troubling me.

Perhaps it was time I allowed him to play the fatherly role he seemed eager to embrace.

I retrieved my phone and dialed Mr. Grayson"s number. As the phone rang, my heart pounded. Would he be willing to help me, or would he side with his son, Ethan?

After several rings, Mr. Grayson"s deep voice answered on the other end. "Aria, my dear, how lovely to hear from you. Is everything alright?"

I took a deep breath, steeling myself for the conversation. "Mr. Grayson, I need your help," I began, my voice trembling. "It"s about the land that was taken from me. I don"t know what to do."

There was a moment of silence on the other end of the line, and then Mr. Grayson spoke, his voice grave with concern. "I had feared as much, my dear. Meet me at my office tomorrow morning, and we will discuss this further. You have my word that I will do everything in my power to help you."

Relief and gratitude flooded through me for his unwavering support. With Mr. Grayson"s assistance, perhaps I could reclaim what I had lost.