Chapter 10: Chapter 10 Something about tonight felt very wrong
Ethan’s POV
I was in the middle of reviewing territory contracts when my phone rang.
Mom.
"Ethan, your mate is out of control."
Her voice was sharp enough to cut through steel.
"What happened?"
"I called her—twice—to come cook for Sophie. She refused. Said she was too busy with meetings. Meetings! As if pack family doesn’t come first."
I pinched the bridge of my nose. "Mom—"
"And then she had the audacity to suggest we hire a private chef. Like we’re some kind of charity case. Like Sophie’s pregnancy cravings are beneath her."
Before I could respond, Sophie’s voice came through in the background, trembling and tearful.
"Ethan, I just wanted one meal... I thought Aria cared about me..."
Fuck.
"I’ll handle it."
I hung up and immediately dialed Aria’s number.
She picked up on the third ring.
"Ethan."
Her voice was calm. Too calm.
"Aria, what the hell is going on? My mom and Sophie are both upset. You promised you’d help take care of her."
"I did help. For months. But today I have back-to-back client meetings for the Northern Territory deals. I told Margaret I couldn’t leave, and I offered to arrange meal delivery or hire a chef. She refused."
Her tone was measured, factual. No defensiveness. No emotion.
It threw me off.
"You could’ve made time—"
"Ethan, you’ve always told me the pack’s business comes first. That’s what I’m doing. Unless you’d prefer I walk out of a multi-million-dollar negotiation to make soup?"
Silence.
She was right. Technically.
But something about the way she said it felt... off.
"Where are you right now?"
"Meeting a client."
"Which client?"
"One of the Northern alphas. Why?"
"Send me your location. I’ll come pick you up when you’re done. We need to talk."
A pause.
"Alright."
A moment later, my phone buzzed with a pin drop.
I glanced at the map.
It was on the other side of the city. At least an hour’s drive.
"I’ll be there."
"Okay."
She hung up.
I grabbed my coat and headed out.
---
Aria’s POV
I stared at my phone after the call ended, a slow smile spreading across my face.
The location I’d sent him was a high-end business district on the far east side of the city. Nowhere near where I actually was.
I picked up my wine glass and took a sip.
Across the table,Alpha Victor raised an eyebrow.
"Playing games with your Alpha?"
"He’s not my Alpha."
Alpha Victor chuckled, low and knowing.
"So," Alpha Victor said, setting down his glass. "Do you need help?"
I met his gaze. "With?"
"With him. With the pack. With whatever mess Vincent left you in." He tilted his head. "I have resources. Contacts. Legal teams that specialize in pack-human contract law. Say the word."
I considered it.
Alpha Victor wasn’t offering out of pure charity. He had his own interests—Crescent Moon Pack’s interests. But he’d been the only one to show up when Sylvia and Nathan were circling like vultures.
"I appreciate it," I said carefully. "But I can handle Ethan."
"You sure?"
"Positive."
He smiled. "Stubborn. Just like your father."
I wasn’t sure if that was a compliment.
Victor leaned forward, his expression turning serious. "Just don’t forget—tomorrow night. The formal dinner. Crescent Moon Pack is officially introducing you as Vincent’s heir. Half the territory alphas will be there."
My stomach tightened, but I kept my face neutral. "I remember."
"Good. Because once you walk into that room, there’s no going back. You’ll be a target. For Sylvia. For Nathan. For every alpha who wants a piece of what Vincent built."
"I know."
"And you’re ready?"
I met his eyes. "I’ve been ready."
He studied me for another beat, then nodded. "Alright then."
We finished our meal in relative silence. By the time I left the restaurant, it was well past nine.
My phone buzzed.
Ethan.
I ignored it.
---
Ethan’s POV
I sat in my car, parked outside the address Aria had sent me, and checked my watch for the fifth time.
9:47 PM.
The building in front of me was a sleek glass office tower, mostly dark now. No sign of Aria.
My wolf paced restlessly. She was not coming.
I dialed her number again.
Straight to voicemail.
"Fuck."
Hours passed. When my phone buzzed, I jolted awake—Clara calling.
"Ethan? Come home. You’ve been out there for hours."
I rubbed my eyes, disoriented. She was right. This was ridiculous.
By the time I got home, Clara was waiting, curled up on the couch. She wrapped her arms around me as I walked in.
"Did you find her?"
"No."
But my wolf was agitated, sensing something I couldn’t quite grasp.
Something about tonight felt very wrong.
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