18. ETHAN

My worry for Aria consumed me. Every day without her felt like an eternity, her absence casting a shadow over everything I did. The thought of her in the hands of our enemies, vulnerable and alone, twisted my stomach into knots.

Despite my chef"s best efforts to tempt me with hearty meals, I was unable to eat. What use was food when Aria was missing? I had no idea what she was eating or how she was being treated. Where was she, what was she enduring, and was she safe?

More importantly, how could I find her when I didn"t even know where to begin looking? The thought of her suffering in silence propelled me forward even in the face of seemingly insurmountable odds.

Aria wasn"t just a friend or an ally—she was the beating heart of my world, the one person I couldn"t bear to lose. As I set forth on this desperate quest to find her, I knew my love for her would be the guiding light in the darkness, leading me ever closer.

My new profound thoughts of Aria had completely consumed me. The longing and loneliness were waging a war in me and I could no longer hold back the connection and bond I felt for Aria. I had to stop pushing her away, the one person who's comfort and solace I needed the most. I had to make amends, no matter what, no matter what cost. We had to find her, and soon.

***

The tension crackled in the air as my father, my loyal men, and I huddled together in the depths of the forest. No longer was this merely my fight, the rival pack"s brazen declaration of war had ensured that it became a struggle for our entire pack"s survival.

My father outlined the plan he had devised to lure our enemies out of hiding. We had carefully crafted our bait. And as we lay in wait, hidden in the shadows, it seemed that our efforts were about to bear fruit.

The night wore on, the silence broken only by the rustle of leaves and the occasional hoot of an owl. Then all of a sudden, the Black Moon pack materialized, their eyes gleaming with predatory intent. My heart pounded as the adrenaline surged through my veins, every fiber of my being on edge as the moment of reckoning drew near.

With a silent signal from my father, we sprang into action, our pack moving with fluid precision. The clash was fierce and frenzied. It was a battle of fur and fang, illuminated by the pale moonlight. Each snarl and swipe was met with equal ferocity, and the air was thick with the scent of blood and sweat.

In the heat of battle, I found myself locking eyes with the rival Alpha, and a challenge passed between us. It was more than just a fight, it was a battle of wills and a struggle for dominance that would shape the future of our packs.

As the moon cast a glow over the battlefield, I fought with every ounce of strength I had, knowing that the outcome would decide our fate. And as the dust settled and the echoes of our clash faded, I wondered what else awaited us.

The underground compound was a maze of darkness and danger. As my pack stormed the stronghold, the air filled with tension.

Blood painted the walls in crimson hues as I and my pack mates fought tooth and claw against the enemy"s pack. Each blow landed with bone-crushing force.

In the heat of battle, my senses sharpened, and my instincts were as sharp as ever. When I finally come face-to-face with one of the enemy"s wolves, the fight is a cloud of fury and desperation. With a swift, decisive strike, I struck him in the jugular, and he fell lifeless at my feet.

But victory tasted bitter as I surveyed the carnage around me, the cost of our triumph measured in loss. As the adrenaline ebbed, a sense of numbness settled over me, and the burden of what I had done nearly rivaled my sadness for Aria"s absence.

In the aftermath of the battle, during the echoes of victory, I found myself confronted by my sister, Elinor. Her eyes bore into me, concern and reproach flickering in their depths.

"Ethan," she began, her voice soft. "What you did back there... it"s not who you are."

I was too angry to see the reason. All I wanted to do was save Aria, and I didn't care who went down in the way. "I had to save her."

Elinor"s expression softened, her hand reaching out to rest gently on my shoulder. "I understand," she murmured, her voice filled with empathy. "But you can"t let your anger consume you, Ethan. Aria needs you to be strong, to be there for her when she comes back to us."

For a moment, I hesitated while tossing around her words in my mind. Then with a nod, I squared my shoulders and hardened my resolve.

"You"re right," I said. "I won"t let my anger control me. I"ll do whatever it takes to bring Aria home, but I"ll do it with honor and integrity."

As I continued with the mission, my sister"s words echoed in my mind. I knew that no matter what trials lay ahead, I would face them with unwavering resolve. For Aria"s sake, and the sake of our future together.

For days, I traversed the wilderness, my senses on high alert as I followed every lead and pursued every clue. It was a grueling and agonizing search, every step bringing me closer to the truth yet further from the comfort of knowing Aria was safe.

Finally, I stumbled upon the hidden entrance to the underground compound where I assume Aria was being held captive. The sight that greeted me within the cold, damp walls shattered my heart. As I make my way through the tunnels, I come up to an iron door; when I open it I am not ready for what I find on the other side.

There she was, chained and shackled like a wild animal, her once-vibrant spirit crushed. The iron shackle around her neck and its cruel embrace had left deep welts in her delicate skin. Blood stained her neck and wrists, and I could tell she had been through hell.

Aria, who used to be fierce and fearless, was a shadow of her former self. Her body was gaunt and emaciated, her once-lustrous hair a tangled mess of knots and dirt.

I approached her with caution, lest the enemy be lying in wait. All the while, my heart clenched with sorrow and rage. How could anyone inflict such cruelty upon another human being, let alone someone as kind and compassionate as Aria? I was determined to rescue her and take her back to safety, where she would be nursed back to health.

With trembling hands, I reached out to gently touch her face. As I looked into eyes clouded with pain and fear, I vowed that this would be the last time anyone would lay their filthy hands on her.