24. ETHAN

The past few days had been hectic and gloomy, but I continued to drag myself through. Still, I couldn"t shake the feeling that I was drowning.

Grief overshadowed every aspect of my life. I struggled to find the motivation to focus on work, engage with my employees, and simply function as the Alpha my pack needed. But I couldn"t deny the turmoil raging within me, and the overwhelming sense of loss that threatened to consume me.

So, I put on a brave face, showing up at work each day, going through the motions, and pretending everything was fine. Inside, I was falling apart. The guilt gnawed at me, a constant reminder of all the things I should have done differently, and all the ways I had ever failed my father.

I knew my employees could sense something was wrong. They offered their condolences and support, but they were largely in the dark about the extent of my struggles.

I grappled with my demons and felt a sense of isolation and profound loneliness. As each day passed, the burden of grief grew heavier.

Rob had been an invaluable asset. He had stepped up to oversee the day-to-day operations of the business with a level of dedication and commitment that surpassed even my own.

Even though he didn"t like my plan for revenge, he stayed a good friend. I owed him a lot for keeping the business going strong, even when things got tough. Without him, I don"t know where we"d be.

He had proven trustworthy in many ways. An employee had attempted to leave the company, convinced that I was too preoccupied with my issues to notice or care. Rob intervened swiftly, calming the employee"s fears and addressing their concerns with compassion and understanding. He convinced them to stay, assuring them that their contributions were valued and appreciated.

Another time, when a tax company threatened to lock up our assets due to unpaid taxes, Rob had negotiated with the company, arranging a payment plan that allowed us to settle our debts without resorting to drastic measures that could have jeopardized the company.

Through it all, Robert had shouldered the task of management without burdening me with unnecessary stress or worry. He had proven not just a capable partner, but a true friend. For that, I was forever grateful.

However, more than work or the invaluable help of Robert, something else had begun to happen. Since Aria had forgiven me, something had changed within me. It was like a floodgate had opened, allowing me to acknowledge feelings I had buried beneath layers of guilt and regret. Her forgiveness washed over me, and suddenly, I found myself open to the possibility of love in a way I never thought possible.

When I filled her, it felt like a key settling into its lock. I had denied the magnetic pull before and now that I've felt it, I don't want it to end. Her scent brought me to full arousal, and the way she felt in my mind was a golden glow, a warmth that blanketed me in peace and comfort.

With Aria by my side, my worries seemed to lessen as if her presence has the power to chase the shadows that haunt me. Her warmth, kindness, and unwavering support are a light in the darkness that guide me through the storm.

As much as I longed to have her close to me at all times, I couldn"t shake the fear that she might not be ready for such a commitment. The thought of asking her to move in with me filled me with excitement but also fear. What if she wasn"t open to the idea? What if I scared her away by moving too fast?

I wrestled with these thoughts, unsure of how to proceed. But one thing was certain, Aria had brought a light to my life that I had never known before, and I would cherish every moment we shared.

Seeking help from Kealar had seemed like the right move at the time. He had a reputation for getting things done, for turning the tide in battles against the Black Moon pack. But now, as I looked back on our alliance, I couldn"t shake the feeling that it had been a mistake.

We had won a few skirmishes and dealt a blow to our rivals, but nothing had really changed. Peace remained elusive, and the Black Moon pack seemed to grow stronger each day.

I had placed my trust in Kealar, hoping he could help us put an end to the violence and bloodshed that had consumed us for so long. Now, I realized that peace could never be achieved through force alone.

I grappled with the consequences and wondered if there was another way to bring about the peace that had eluded us. As I looked to the future, I knew I would have to find it for the sake of my pack, for Aria, and for our shared future.

It was hard not to feel regret as I reflected on how things had spiraled out of control. What had started as a petty attempt to assert my dominance over Aria"s land had quickly snowballed into something far more dangerous.

I had enlisted the help of a thug to scare Aria into submission, but what I hadn"t realized was that this thug was connected to the Black Moon pack, the very pack that had been hunting Aria to use her for their sinister purposes.

If only I had been less greedy or less willing to resort to underhanded tactics. If only I had considered the consequences before involving myself in Aria"s affairs. Perhaps then, none of this would have happened, and Aria wouldn"t have been dragged into this dangerous game of power and politics.

But there was no use dwelling on the past. What was done was done, and all I could do was try to make things right. And as I looked to the future, I knew I would stop at nothing to make amends for my mistakes and bring about peace.

With the die cast, there was no turning back. The lines had been drawn, and I knew that I had to find a way to put an end to the Black Moon pack.

The task ahead seemed daunting. The Black Moon pack was formidable, and their numbers and strength were growing.

I knew victory wouldn"t be easy, and that there would be sacrifices along the way. But I also knew that I couldn"t back down when so much was at stake.

As I contemplated my next move, a fire ignited within me, a burning resolution to rid our land of the threat posed by the Black Moon pack. I would stop at nothing to protect what was mine and to ensure the safety and security of my pack and those I cared about.

As my drive to dismantle the rival pack and lead alongside Aria grew stronger, I found myself embarking on a journey of self-discovery. It was a path filled with obstacles and uncertainties, but it was also illuminated by love, resilience, and understanding.

With each challenge we faced, I learned to embrace my vulnerabilities and trust in the power of our love. Aria had reliability as firm as a rock, and now she was showing me that true strength lay in vulnerability, in opening oneself to the depth of emotion and connection that only love could provide.

There were moments of doubt and fear when the odds were stacked against us. But through it all, Aria stood by my side, her persistent support and unwavering belief in our cause giving me the strength to press on.

Maybe it was time to finally let Aria in and take her up on her requests to help. Her strength, courage and resilience is just what this pack needs to get through this challenge with the rival pack. But I will not put this burden on her shoulders. We will do it together. Strength is within our pack, each other and our bond.

The night before, my mother had called and said I needed to come to the house for something important. She had always been a source of wisdom and guidance, and her warning about Harris Kane, the Alpha of the Black Moon pack, had struck a chord with me.

As I sat with her in her study, she recounted the story of the Black Moon pack, a tale of betrayal and vengeance that terrified me. She had done her research, piecing together fragments of information to uncover the truth behind Aria"s father"s death.

Harris Kane was the leader of the faction that killed Aria"s father, that caused her and her mother to flee. And now, he sought to capture her as a breeding wolf.

"Tread carefully, Ethan," my mother cautioned. "Harris Kane is not to be underestimated. He will stop at nothing to achieve his goals, even if it means eliminating those who stand in his way."

I felt a surge of protectiveness toward Aria. She had already been through so much, and the thought of her being targeted by such a ruthless adversary filled me with urgency.

"I"ll do everything in my power to keep Aria safe," I vowed. "I won"t let anyone harm her."

My mother nodded, her expression grave. "I know you will, Ethan. But remember, sometimes the greatest strength lies in knowing when to seek help and when to trust in the bonds of friendship and alliance."

Her words resonated with me, and as I left her study, I knew I would heed her advice.