16. ETHAN

The frustration gnawed at me relentlessly, its claws sinking deep into my flesh. Two days passed like grains of sand through my fingers, each one marked by fruitless searches and dead-end leads. This sense of helplessness was a bitter pill to swallow.

I thought finding Aria would be a simple matter of following the breadcrumbs left behind by her captors. But the reality was far more daunting. It was as if she had vanished into thin air.

Even with the full force of my pack behind me and every resource at my disposal, we were no closer to finding her than when we started. It was a sobering realization, a humbling reminder of the limits of my power.

Still, for Aria"s sake and my sanity, I had to believe that we would find her and bring her home safely.

I resolved to redouble our efforts, to leave no stone unturned in our quest to rescue her. Whatever it took and whatever obstacles lay in our path, I would not rest until Aria was back where she belonged—safe in my arms.

As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting long shadows across the rugged landscape, I gathered my men for a debriefing. The weariness imprinted on their faces mirrored my own. The fruitless search had taken a toll on them, too.

"All right, listen up," I began, my voice low but commanding. "We need to assess our progress and figure out our next move."

The tension was palpable as my packmates exchanged uneasy glances, each one grappling with our failure to locate Aria.

"We"ve combed through every inch of this territory," one of my trusted lieutenants spoke up, his voice frustrated. "But there"s been no sign of her."

I clenched my jaw, fighting back the frustration that threatened to overwhelm me. "We can"t afford to lose hope," I reminded them. "We need to stay focused and keep pushing forward."

"But how do we proceed?" another packmate asked, his brow furrowed in concern. "We"ve exhausted every lead and every possibility. Where do we go from here?"

I paused, weighing our options carefully. "We need to expand our search," I decided. "We"ll divide into smaller groups to cover more ground. We"ll leave no corner unexplored."

There was a murmur of agreement from the assembled pack and a spark in their eyes. Despite the odds stacked against us and the darkness that threatened to consume us, we refused to give up.

"We"ll find her," I vowed, my voice carrying across the gathering. "No matter how long it takes, no matter what obstacles we face, we"ll bring her home. That"s a promise."

As dawn cast its golden hues across the rugged terrain, we embarked on another day of relentless searching. The previous night"s briefing had injected us with a renewed sense of purpose, and we were resolved to use up every avenue in our pursuit.

My energy surged to life when we received a tip about a potential hideout, marked by a trail of blood and faint footprints leading into the dense forest. It was a lone lead after days of fruitless searching, and it filled us with cautious optimism.

With anticipation coursing through our veins, we followed the trail deeper into the forest, each step bringing us closer to our objective. Yet as we ventured further, the signs of Aria"s presence grew increasingly elusive, and the trail faded into the wilderness.

Hours passed in tense silence as we pressed on, the forest"s canopy casting dappled shadows over our path. Just then, we stumbled upon what appeared to be the entrance to a hidden cave, concealed beneath a thick curtain of vines and foliage.

My heart quickened with anticipation as we cautiously approached the cave, my senses alert for any sign of danger. But as we entered the dimly lit interior, our optimism was dashed as we realized it was nothing more than a decoy, a cruel ploy to mislead us.

Frustration rippled through me as I battled with the realization that Aria"s captors had outmaneuvered us once again. But I remained resolute, determined to redouble our efforts and continue the search.

As the frustration simmered within me, I felt my phone buzz in my pocket with an incoming call. With a sigh, I retrieved it and saw Elinor"s name on the screen. Bracing myself for the inevitable confrontation, I answered.

"Elinor," I greeted, trying to keep my voice steady.

"Ethan, where the hell have you been?" Her voice crackled with anger, her words laced with accusation.

I took a deep breath, steeling myself for the blame that was sure to come. "I"ve been searching for Aria, just like you," I replied, my tone strained.

"Well, it hasn't been good enough!" Elinor shot back, her frustration palpable even through the phone.

I felt an explosion of defensiveness rise within me. "Listen, Eli, I take my portion of the blame, but you can"t heap everything on me."

Elinor was relentless. "No, brother. Don"t you dare, you can't cherry-pick the blame you want. I blame it all on you," she retorted, her words hitting me hard.

I tightened my fist, feeling the urge to lash out grow with each passing moment. I slammed my hand against the nearby wall.

I was on the verge of losing control when the door to the room swung open, and Rob entered, and I felt some of the tension drain from my body.

"Easy there, Ethan," Rob said soothingly, stepping closer to me. "We"ll find her. We just need to keep our heads clear and focus."

His words were a much-needed reminder to stay grounded, and to channel my anger and frustration into productive action. With a nod of gratitude, I took a deep breath, forcing myself to calm down.

Despite the helplessness and frustration that threatened to consume me, I knew that giving in was not an option. With Rob by my side, I resolved to redouble our efforts and not give up until Aria was safely back in our arms.

It had been a long day. A barrage of thoughts kept assailing my mind. Despite my best efforts to remain focused, doubts and fears gnawed at the edges of my resolve.

Had I failed Aria? Would we ever find her? What happens if we find her dead? Could I live with myself if we don't find her in time?

The thoughts echoed in my mind, a relentless tune that refused to be silenced. Each step felt heavier than the last, and I was burdened by the responsibility and fear of disappointing my father.

I couldn"t shake the feeling of inadequacy, a nagging sense that I had let Aria down when she needed me most. Images of her haunted my thoughts—her vibrant smile and fiery spirit, now overshadowed by the darkness of her captivity.

I refused to give up, no matter the odds. Aria needed me, and I would move heaven and earth to bring her back.

I had informed my father of Aria"s disappearance and plans to rescue her, but now I needed to face him with the bitter truth of my failure. A reminder that I still had much to learn to be an Alpha and the understanding what it means for the pack to trust me and my plans for its future.

Entering his office, I found him seated behind his desk, poring over a stack of papers. He glanced up as I entered, his expression one of concern and anticipation.

"Father," I began, my voice tinged with regret, "I have news about Aria."

He gestured for me to take a seat opposite him, his eyes never leaving mine. "Tell me, Ethan. What have you discovered?"

Taking a deep breath, I recounted the events of the past few days—the fruitless searches, the false leads, and the mounting frustration. As I spoke, I could see the disappointment etched on my father"s face, his brow furrowing with concern.

When I finished, there was a heavy silence in the room as my father absorbed my words. Finally, he spoke with grave concern. "I wanted a different outcome, Ethan, but we cannot dwell on our failures. We must focus on finding Aria and bringing her back safely."

His words spurred a sense of fire, and I nodded. "You"re right, Father. I won"t rest until she"s back safely."

As we discussed our next steps, my mother entered the room, and her presence brought an unexpected comfort. She listened intently as we outlined our plans, offering suggestions and insights.

Together, we formed a united front, ready to leave no stone unturned in our quest to bring Aria home. As we pooled our resources and expertise, I felt a twinkle of hope rise, knowing that with my family by my side, I could overcome any obstacle.

As I sat across from my father, my head became clearer, and I felt relief as his words poured out. He was the Alpha of our pack, the highest voice of authority and wisdom, and I knew that if anyone could help find Aria, it was him.

He rose from behind the massive oak table, his gaze piercing as he looked at me.

"Ethan, we"ll surely bring back Aria, but I have a condition," he stated firmly, his voice commanding attention.

I straightened in my chair, eager to hear what he had to say.

"Yes, Father," I replied, my tone respectful. I knew my father"s conditions were non-negotiable.

His stern gaze bore into mine as he spoke, his voice commanding and resolute. "When Aria gets back, you will restore what your greed took from her," he declared, his words cutting through the air like a sharp blade.

I felt a knot form in my throat, and a pang of guilt twist in my stomach. My father"s words hit home, reminding me of the consequences of my actions and the damage I had caused. I wanted to speak, apologize for my mistakes, and promise to make amends, but the words eluded me.

"Have I made myself clear?" he demanded, his tone sharp with irritation. I nodded silently, unable to meet his eyes.

"That"s not all," he continued, his voice softer but no less commanding. "You will rectify this situation with her completely."

My father began to make phone calls and pull strings, mobilizing our pack in the search for Aria. With his guidance and support, I would bring her back safely and make things right.

Gratitude welled within me, but also some guilt. His unwavering support was a reminder of my shortcomings. I had let my ego and pride cloud my judgment, leading to the mess we were in now.

As much as I longed to make things right, I knew it wouldn"t be easy. Restoring what had been taken from Aria would require more than just financial compensation—it would require a genuine effort to rebuild what had been shattered.

Nursing her back to health would mean confronting the trauma she had endured and offering her the support and care she needed to heal.

As my father continued to make arrangements, I couldn"t shake the feeling of unease that settled in the pit of my stomach. I worried about Aria"s safety and well-being.

The thought of her trapped and alone, facing who knew what horrors, filled me with urgency and desperation. I would do whatever it took to bring Aria back, make amends for my mistakes, and prove myself worthy of her trust.

With my father"s guidance and support, I would right the wrongs and ensure that Aria received the justice and care she deserved.