2. ETHAN

If anything in the world of business commanded respect, it was expansion. I had an enviable portfolio, but it was never bad to add more to it and cement my place as a formidable businessman and to show the current Alpha I could make a name for myself.

For a while now, I had nursed the idea of taking over Aria's land. It was the ideal location for another casino. Now with the neighborhood in shambles, it was easy pickings.

I smiled, recounting my surefire technique to scare away the clients, bombard the owners from all sides, and make sure there was no option but to sell. I only had one more business to go visit, The Mind's Paradise, and I planned to take care of this loose end myself.

"Yes, that's it!" I let out a large breath as I thought of how I could take care of Aria and her stupid little bookstore..

"Are you talking to me, Ethan?" Robert, my best friend and business partner, asked, breaking into my reverie.

I shook my head, flashing him a grin. "Oh, not you, buddy. Just a stray thought."

Rob had been by my side forever, not just as a friend, but also as my trusted business partner. While I handled the affairs of the pack alongside my old man in preparation for my succession to Alpha, Rob oversaw my casinos and hotels.

Despite my wealth and status, I couldn't shake the insatiable hunger for more success. I found myself constantly looking for opportunities to expand my business empire, assert my dominance, and secure my place at the top of the pack. And right now, Aria"s little bookstore was an obstacle in my path.

But there was something about her fiery spirit that intrigued me, even as I geared up to crush her resistance just like I crushed her heart so long ago. So, I kept my plans close to my chest, gathering the information I needed to take the land her business was on without her suspecting a thing. After all, in this game of power and dominance, sentiment was not an advantage.

As I thought more about my plans to acquire Aria"s bookstore, I found the images from the past that started to gather in my mind's eye.. I drank in her beauty.

I marveled at her resilience. After everything she had been through, her modest beginnings, and the odds stacked against her, she had refused to back down.

There was a fire in her eyes that spoke of strength, a trait I admired. I know it sounded ironic given how I seek to exploit it to my advantage, but I couldn't help it.

In truth though, sometimes I wished I could be different, maybe softer, but the universe had placed a huge responsibility on me, one I couldn't seem to run from. And in this cutthroat world of business and power, it was every wolf for themselves. And if Aria stood in the way of my ambitions, then she"d have to be dealt with accordingly.

"Rob, what"s the latest on the property adjacent to Aria"s bookstore?" I asked, my tone brimming with urgency as I discussed strategy.

Rob leaned back in his chair, flipping through a stack of documents with practiced ease. "Still in negotiations," he replied, his brow furrowing in concentration. "But it looks promising. We should have a deal finalized within the month."

"Good," I nodded, a sense of satisfaction settling over me. "Once we acquire that land, it"ll give us the leverage we need to pressure Aria into selling her property."

Rob raised an eyebrow, a hint of skepticism in his voice. "You sure about this, Ethan? Aria"s not going to go down without a fight."

I scoffed at his concerns, my confidence unwavering. "Let her fight," I replied dismissively. "In the end, she"ll realize that resistance is futile. And if not, we"ll just have to find more... persuasive methods."

Rob nodded in understanding, though I could sense the unease in his expression. "Just be careful, Ethan," he warned. "Aria may be small, but she"s got a lot of fight in her."

I waved off his concerns with a casual shrug. "I can handle her," I assured him. Why would he think less of me? I was an Alpha-in-training. Anyway, there was work to be done and plans to be set in motion. And nothing, certainly not a fleeting sense of sentimentality, would stand in my way.

As I continued strategizing with Rob, he looked ahead as if something weighed heavily on his mind.

"A penny for your thoughts", I said.

"Have you spoken to Elinor about your plans to take over the business of her best friend?" he asked cautiously.

I shook my head as a furrow formed between my brows. "Not yet," I admitted.

"You know how she feels about Aria. She"s not going to be happy."

I sighed, running a hand through my hair in frustration. "I know," I replied, my sister"s disapproval heavy on my shoulders. "But we can"t let family issues cloud our judgment. This is business, Rob. Nothing more."

Rob nodded, though I could sense his apprehension at the thought of betraying Elinor"s trust. "You should talk to her as soon as possible," he said.

"I understand your concerns, Rob," I replied, turning to my friend with a mischievous glint in my eyes. "But who says Elinor has to know?" I said with my lower lip curved into a smile.

Rob looked up at me incredulously like I didn"t know what I had just said or that perhaps I was kidding. I gave him a reassuring smile and patted him on the back. "Trust me on this, Rob," I said with a note of finality.

As Rob left to attend to other matters, I was left alone with my thoughts, my mind drifting back to the day on the beach. I remember how easily she had followed me as I led her away from prying eyes. telling her all she needed to hear. She was so naive and willing back then..

How could I forget her little suit falling to the floor? I remember wrapping my lips around her voluptuous breasts, perky on her chest. And the mewls that came from those soft lips of her's..

She was so shy until I moved my kisses over the rest of her body. The memory of how her skin tasted like sweet milk caused my mouth to salivate. The warmth of her…

A loud rap on the door jolted me from my wandering thoughts. It was my executive assistant. Let the day begin.

It had been a long day of planning and strategizing. As I ascended the front porch of my home, a wave of anticipation washed over me, fueled by the thought of removing Aria and her bookstore from the equation..

I could sense an impending battle on the horizon, a clash of wills, with her fiery spirit and my driven dominance that sent my muscles tensing with excitement. At that, my wolf stirred, readying to burst out at the thought of battle.

I took a deep breath, trying to calm the restless beast within me. But I knew I had to keep it under control. I couldn"t afford to let something as trivial as this business deal unravel me.

I had taken over countless businesses in the past. Why should this one be any different?

But as I pondered the upcoming takeover, a flicker of doubt crept into my mind. This wasn"t going to be easy. Aria was no pushover, and she wouldn"t go down without a fight.

The challenge only served to further fuel my excitement. The prospect of overcoming Aria"s resistance filled me with a sense of exhilaration and a familiar rush of adrenaline that coursed through my veins.

I realized that I needed to gather as much information as possible to ensure the success of my takeover.

And I knew exactly where to start.

Pulling my phone from my jacket pocket, I punched in a text as my mind whirled with victory.

Hit the last store one more time. Give them a reason to sell.

Sure thing, boss. Count the books gone. chimed back on my screen. Jack's direct communication was appreciated.

I closed my phone. "Bloody humans, they will do anything for a buck," I muttered.

Determined to get inside the mind of Aria, I began the process of reintroducing myself into her life.

I had slipped into the family dinner she had with my sister and parents just last month. Now, I was up to the schmoozing where I got up close and personal. She would not be able to resist me. My advice would be all she sought.

I couldn"t afford setbacks in the development of my next project, and she was making it difficult. There was still a lot to be done, and I would nurture my plans to realization, no matter the obstacles. Still lost in thought, I called for my butler, Denny. He had been a steadfast presence in our family for as long as I could remember. His unwavering loyalty was a luxury in this askew world.

In the blink of an eye, Denny appeared at my side, his demeanor as composed and attentive as ever. "Yes, boss," he acknowledged, his tone respectful despite the age difference between us.

I smiled at his steadfastness, a reminder of the responsibilities that lay ahead as the future Alpha of my pack. But for now, I simply needed his assistance in preparing my usual drink, a concoction of whiskey and hot spices that never failed to soothe my nerves.

As Denny moved gracefully around the mini bar, expertly mixing the ingredients with practiced precision, I watched him in fascination. There was a certain elegance to his movements, a silent grace that spoke of years spent perfecting his craft.

In no time at all, he presented me with the steaming mug, the aroma of the spicy whiskey wafting up to greet me. With a nod of thanks, I took a sip, relishing the burn as it seared its way down my throat.

But even as I savored the warmth of the drink, my thoughts remained firmly fixed on Aria and her bookstore.. Well, less on the bookstore and more on what I would do with her grown-up curves once I won back her trust.