13. ARIA

The emotions swirling inside me were like a storm raging within my heart. On the one hand, there was the searing anger and betrayal stemming from Ethan"s involvement in the loss of my business.

Intertwined with that anger was a deep-seated attraction and longing I couldn"t seem to shake. The conflict threatened to consume me.

I had gone to meet Ethan"s father as he requested, but the verdict was that it could take up to fifteen years in court to reverse my signature in the system. Even then, there was no guarantee that ownership would revert back to me.

Despite the recent events, I knew I couldn"t afford to wallow in self-pity. I had to face the situation head on.

As I grappled with the aftermath of the confrontation, a message arrived on my phone, its tone ominous and foreboding.

It was a summons from the Black Moon pack, demanding my presence at a location of their choosing. The thought gave me an uncomfortable chill, filling me with dread and apprehension.

My instinct was to ignore the message and refuse to play into their hands. But curiosity prevailed when they implied they had information on how to reverse the sale of the land. If I wanted to reclaim my business and restore my livelihood, I had no choice but to heed their call.

With a wavering conviction and trembling hands, I composed myself and prepared to respond. My fingers hovered over the screen before finally sending my acceptance.

The reply came swiftly, confirming the details of our meeting. I insisted that we meet at the store. Home turf advantage gave me peace of mind in this trying situation.

I knew the risks involved in walking into the lion"s den, but I also knew that having them walk into mine would give me an advantage. Regardless, I had to face my adversaries.

As the designated time approached, I made my store as bright as I could, my senses on high alert for danger. Every shadow seemed to loom larger, and every sound was more threatening as I opened the front door .

As they arrived, the rival pack filled the store, and I kept my back to the rear exit. Its existence was the only thing calming me as their human forms flashed a bit of wolf at me as they entered the store. A sense of foreboding flooded me, but I refused to cower. I was outnumbered, but I was not without strength and resolve.

The tension in the air was noticeable as I squared off against my rivals. Each second that ticked by felt like a battle against self preservation's desire to run. But I pushed through, fueled by a fierce drive to reclaim what was mine.

I was confronted by a group of foreign faces, their eyes filled with malice. My heart hammered in my chest as I braced myself for the confrontation.

"Cute store," one of them sneered as he clawed at the covers of the books as he walked past.

I refused to show any sign of weakness. "Well, what do you have to say?" I asked, my voice steady despite the fear churning within me.

The leader of the Black Moon pack stepped forward, his gaze piercing as he regarded me with thinly veiled contempt. "We have acquired your business, and if you want it back, I can give it to you," he said.

I nodded, knowing I had to remain strong if I was to stand any chance.

With a deep breath, I spoke. "Please go on." I felt the hope rise in me that I had made the right decision in agreeing to this meeting.

As I stood among the rival pack, tension hung thick in the air. Their leader, a formidable figure with a steely gaze, regarded me with disdain and amusement as though he already knew the outcome of our encounter.

"Ah, Aria," he sneered. "I am glad to hear you are eager to resolve this dilemma."

I refused to cower. "Cut the theatrics," I said defiantly. "What do you want?"

"Straight to the point, I see," he remarked with a sinister grin. "Very well, then. We have a proposition for you."

I braced myself for the worst, knowing that any deal offered by the rival pack would come with strings attached. "Let"s hear it," I replied, though I doubted I would like what I heard.

"Simple," he replied, his tone deceptively casual. "Your bloodline is what I want."

I scoffed at the absurdity of his proposal, unable to conceal my disbelief. "You expect me to just roll over and submit?" I exclaimed, incredulous.

"You would have to produce a litter of pups that would fill out my pack." His grin was sickening.

"I"d sooner die than submit to your tyranny."

His expression darkened as his patience wore thin. "You misunderstand, Aria," he growled, his voice low and menacing. "This is not a negotiation. It"s an ultimatum."

I took two steps forward and looked him in the eye, an indication that conveyed my boldness. I wanted them to know that I was not afraid and wouldn"t run.

"Then consider it rejected," I declared. "I"ll never bow to you."

The first blow came fast and hard, catching me off-guard as I staggered backward under the impact, leaving an imprint in the wall. I gritted my teeth against the pain, pushing through the haze of adrenaline as I launched a swift counterattack.

With that, the tension between us reached its breaking point, erupting into a fierce battle as we clashed in a flurry of violence. Though outnumbered and outmatched, I had a plan. I held up the fire extinguisher I had stashed by the door and sprayed them. The pack was stunned long enough for me to get to the back hall.

I fought with every ounce of strength I had. Every blow that landed across my back fueled the rage inside me, and I moved faster.

I burst through the backdoor to find the parking lot full of wolves. I transformed in response. The pain fueled my rage, and adrenaline filled my veins.

Battle had never been a first resort for me, but even though I was hoping to get things sorted without fighting anyone, I would have to fight my way out of this one. They would not take me willingly.

As the fight wore on, fatigue began to set in. My muscles burned with exertion, and my breath came in ragged gasps. I fought through the line, drawing strength from the fire burning within me.

For a moment, it seemed as though the tide of battle might turn in my favor, with the Black Moon pack at my tail. I made a run for it, dodging blows and obstacles in my path.

In a flash of movement, I found myself surrounded. Their numbers were overwhelming as they closed in from all sides.

With nowhere left to run, I braced myself for the final blow, ready to take out at least three with me. But a chain net flew down atop me, the wolfsbane on the iron suppressing my wolf and burning my skin as the fur fell away.

I struggled against the bindings to no avail. The ropes they used to wrap me in once I was fully transformed bit into my flesh, and the collar of wolfsbane was sure to keep me from breaking the binds. They constricted around me like a vise as I fought to break them.

With each futile effort, the crimson dripping across my shin solidified the predicament I was in. I was filled with a sense of despair unlike anything I had known.

The pain was excruciating, and every movement sent waves of agony coursing through my battered body. I gritted my teeth against the pain, summoning every last ounce of willpower to keep fighting even as darkness closed in around me.

Alone and trapped, I felt a profound sense of helplessness suck me in. I knew my fate was sealed and my struggle was futile against their forces.

As I settled against my confines, my mind tried to shout out to the pack, a link dusty with lack of use since I didn't like the feeling of telepathy. But the path was foggy and distant, and it felt as if I was yelling into a black hole.

With no help in sight, I wondered if this was the end.