30. ETHAN

The realization hit me hard — Aria, the woman I knew and loved, was now an Alpha. It was a surprising turn of events and one that left me feeling a mix of emotions.

I felt a sense of pride knowing that Aria had risen to such a prestigious position. She had always been strong-willed, and now she was finally getting the recognition she deserved.

But on the other hand, it was also a humbling experience. I had underestimated Aria for so long, failing to see her true potential as a leader. I had been so caught up in my struggles and desires that I had failed to appreciate her strength.

Reflecting on our journey, I realized that I owed Aria an apology. I had made mistakes, taken her for granted, and failed to support her when she needed me most. It was time to set things right, acknowledge my shortcomings, and make amends for letting her down.

As I prepared to apologize, I couldn"t shake a feeling of uncertainty. With Aria leading her own pack, our paths were destined to diverge, at least for a time. It was a difficult reality to accept, but I knew that it was necessary for us to grow and evolve as individuals.

And so, with a heavy heart, I set out to offer Aria the apology she deserved. It was a small gesture, but the first toward rebuilding the trust and connection that had once defined our relationship.

As the days passed, I found myself haunted by memories of Aria and the time we had spent together. Her absence left a void in my life that I couldn"t fill no matter how hard I tried.

Ever since Aria became an Alpha, she had been traveling back and forth between Havenridge and her new base. I really couldn't relate; my transition into Alpha was far less dramatic. My father had named me an heir a long time ago, and when he died, the title had passed naturally.

Aria was not expecting her title. She had lost her father as a child, and the thought of becoming an Alpha had never crossed her mind.

I missed her presence, her laughter, and the way she lit up a room with her smile. A part of me was missing without her by my side, and no amount of work or distraction could ease my heartache.

Despite the pain of her absence, I felt a sense of pride and admiration for Aria and all she had accomplished. To see her rise from the ashes and reclaim her rightful place as Alpha was nothing short of inspiring. She had faced adversity and emerged stronger and more resilient.

As I continued to go about my daily routine, I found myself longing for the day when Aria would return. I yearned to see her again, to hear her voice and feel her presence. Though I knew that our paths had split for now, I held onto the idea that one day, our destinies would intertwine once more.

Until that day came, I knew I had to focus on rebuilding my strength and resilience. I had a pack to lead and a legacy to uphold, and I couldn"t afford to let my personal feelings get in the way of my responsibilities.

I pushed forward, knowing that no matter what, Aria would always hold a special place in my heart.

The day had been peaceful and quiet as I worked noiselessly on my computer. With Aria gone, all I had was my job, so I had thrown myself back into it.

Rob entered my office bearing an open laptop. He was coming to show me something about the company, but I was not in the mood.

"Hey, Ethan. I've got something you need to see," Rob said as he plopped down on the sofa in my office.

I sighed. "I appreciate your diligence, but I"m not really in the mood to go through numbers right now."

"Is everything alright? You seem a bit off. Wait, don"t tell me… you're thinking about Aria again."

"Yeah, everything"s fine. But you're right; I miss her," I admitted. Rob was my friend, there was no point hiding anything from him.

"Ah, I see. Missing your better half, huh?"

"More than you can imagine. I wish I could be with her, and see the world through her eyes, you know?" I clasped my hands behind my head and leaned back, letting out a sigh.

"I get it. Aria"s a force to be reckoned with. But hey, she"s out there doing her thing, making a name for herself. And you"re here, holding down the fort," Rob said to comfort me.

"I know, I know. But sometimes, it feels like I"m just going through the motions without her here," I replied.

Rob regarded me for a moment before saying, "Look, man, I get it. But you"ve got a business to run, and a pack to lead. Aria wouldn"t want you moping around; she"d want you to keep moving forward. Don"t you think?"

"Yeah, you"re right. Thanks, Rob. I needed that reminder."

"Anytime, buddy. Now, about those financials…" Rob chipped in before I slipped back into missing Aria.

I chuckled. "Alright, let"s dive in. But first, let me grab a coffee. I"ve got a feeling it"s going to be a long night."

The journey home from the office was a familiar one, with the rhythmic hum of the car engine lulling me into a sense of ease. Yet, as I turned onto my street and saw the lights on in my home, my brow furrowed in confusion.

The smart lighting system I had installed was programmed to activate only when someone was inside. With my butler on leave and no prior arrangements for visitors, the illumination was perplexing.

As I pulled into the driveway, questions buzzed in my mind. Who could be inside? The rational part of me argued it must be a glitch, a malfunction in the system. But a niggling doubt lingered, and the whisper of apprehension refused to be silenced.

I exited the car cautiously, my senses on high alert. The air was charged, and every shadow concealed a potential threat. Yet, my home gave away no secrets.

I approached the front door, steeling myself for whatever awaited on the other side. My mother seldom visited unannounced, preferring the grandeur of the Greyson mansion for our encounters. And Elinor, always meticulous in her communication, would never drop by without prior arrangement.

With a steadying breath, I pushed open the door and stepped inside, the soft click echoing in the silence. The warmth of the foyer reassured me, a stark contrast to the chill of uncertainty that gripped my heart.

I opened the door, and the rich aroma of oven-roasted chicken enticed me, drawing me toward the kitchen.

As I made my way to the source, I caught sight of her silhouette, bent over as she rummaged in the fridge.

Aria.

A surge of joy flooded through me, dispelling any uncertainty or apprehension. I bounded toward her, feeling lighter than air as I closed the distance between us.

Before she could react, I swept her into my arms, her laughter ringing out like music in the air. "Come on, put me down," she protested playfully, her eyes twinkling.

But I held her close, unwilling to let go, her weight in my arms a tangible reassurance of her presence. "No, I won"t," I declared, my voice filled with unbridled happiness. "You have no idea how much I missed you."

With Aria in my arms, everything felt right again, as if the world had regained its balance. Her laughter was soothing to my weary soul, washing away the stresses of the day and filling me with contentment.

Setting her down gently, I marveled at her sight. As she turned to face me, her eyes sparkling with warmth and affection, a surge of love rushed through me, overwhelming in its intensity. "I"m so glad you"re here," I murmured, reaching out to brush a stray lock of red hair from her face.

She smiled up at me, her gaze filled with understanding. "I missed you, too," she whispered.

As we sat down to dine, the aroma of the oven-roasted chicken filled the air, tantalizing my senses and stirring my appetite. Each bite was a burst of flavor, a result of Aria"s culinary skills and her dedication to making every meal a special occasion.

Between mouthfuls, Aria regaled me with tales of her journey as a new Alpha. Her eyes sparkled with excitement as she recounted the moments of triumph and doubt, each one shaping her into the leader she was destined to be.

I felt a swell of pride and admiration for the woman sitting across from me. She had embraced her new role with grace, never faltering in her commitment to her pack and her people.

As the evening wore on, we lingered at the table, savoring each other"s company, and reveling in the simple joy of being together. At that moment, surrounded by laughter and love, I knew that no matter what the future held, as long as we faced it together, we would always find a way to prevail.

After dinner, Aria and I retired for the night. While I relaxed on the bed, I could hear the splashing of water from the bathroom. I knew she was washing off and getting ready for the night. The water stopped running, and a few minutes later, Aria emerged wearing a delicate negligee that draped elegantly over her curves, accentuating every contour of her body. Her hair cascaded in loose waves around her shoulders, framing her face like a halo, and her eyes shone with a warmth that made my heart skip a beat.

As we embraced, our kisses were tender and affectionate, each one a promise of the love and passion that bound us. I traced the curve of her cheek with my fingertips, feeling the softness of her skin beneath my touch, and she leaned into me with a contented sigh.

With her in my arms, I felt a sense of peace wash over me. There was no need for words or explanations. We were simply two souls entwined in the timeless dance of love, finding solace and comfort in each other"s embrace.

As we basked in each other"s presence, I told her how I felt. With a playful grin, I turned to her and said, "You know, we make a pretty good team. Maybe we should just get married and make it official."

Aria chuckled softly. "Oh, is that so? And here I thought you were just in it for the delicious home-cooked meals."

I chuckled, but there was a hint of sincerity in my voice as I continued. "Well, those are definitely a bonus, but there"s more to it than that. We"ve been through a lot together. And I can"t imagine facing the world without you by my side."

Her laughter faded, replaced by a tender smile as she reached out to cup my cheek. "I feel the same way, Ethan. You"ve been my heart through everything, and I wouldn"t want to share this journey with anyone else."

As we lay together in the quiet intimacy of our shared space, the idea of marriage didn"t seem so far-fetched. It was a promise of a future filled with love, laughter, and endless possibilities.