The two packs met on the fields of the conservation land. Weapons were raised and wolves transformed, gnashing their fangs and growling at one another.The Hansen pack's front lines blocked the entrance to the ritual site; it looked like we were going to have to fight our way through to get to Chris, who seemed to not be present amongst his wolves."Chris is probably down in the tunnels already," I said. "We need to get past his vanguard somehow.""Well, we can't exactly open fire," Noah replied. He stepped forward and addressed the Hansen wolves in a clear and commanding voice. "I have no intention to harm any of you!" he said loudly. "I am only here for your Alpha. Let us pass."A young, ashen-haired Hansen pack member stepped forward. "Our Alpha has given us instructions to only let the woman named Aria through," he hollered.I was about to tell Noah that it was fine, that he should just stay here to make sure the Hansen pack didn't cause any problems. But he guessed my in
Chris lay before us, virtually turned to stone.Was that it? Had we finally won? It seemed so surreal that it was actually over. I helped Noah to his feet, giving him support while his wound healed. It did not seem to be that serious, so there was no reason for me to intervene."I should make sure that he's dead," Noah said. "We don't want any more surprises."I nodded in agreement. We stumbled slowly towards Chris's body. Noah tried to kneel down, but was unable to in his current state."I'll do it," I said gently, leaning him against one of the pillars before making my way to Chris.I knelt next to him and placed my fingers on his neck. His body was warm, but there was no pulse. I touched his back and felt no intake of breath. All evidence pointed to him being dead as a doorknob."He's really dead," I sighed, my eyes lingering on Chris, refusing to relax or look away.Noah seemed to still be on edge as well. "Does something not feel quite right to you?" he asked caut
"What happened to that thing?" Noah asked in panic when he regained consciousness, grabbing his gun and pointing it at where Silas had been standing."It's alright," I said gently, placing a calming hand on his arm and allowing healing energy to flow through him. "He and Selene came to...an agreement. He's gone for the time being."I thought about what Selene had said—that my life would ensure everyone's safety. Maybe this had been my calling all along.Shaking my head to clear it, I helped Noah up and hugged him tightly. "Come on, love, let's get out of here.""Wait," he said before we started to exit the damaged chamber. "Chris's body. We need to bring it with us to prove to his pack that he is dead. They might attack us if it looks like we just left."I had hoped to just leave Chris and the entire memory of the situation down here in this cavern, but Noah was right. I sighed and nodded.The two of us heaved Chris's body over our shoulders and carried him back to the surf
Aria POV"Atlas," I said to the answering machine, "You told me to be at the Scarlet Moon at ten p.m. and it's already 11:55. While I don't mind a drink or two, you know I don't like indulging while I'm working, so please answer me as soon as possible or I'm going to find myself another broker."The last part was a lie and Atlas would know that.The truth was that Atlas was the only broker that someone in my line of work without a proper license that I could trust. He was the absolute best when it came to peddling information and acting as a middle man between service providers and clients.His usual customers were hookers and gang members, both high profile and street level, but he would also help people like me: healers without a license to practice.The cigarette in my left hand burned dangerously close to my fingers as I absentmindedly swirled the contents of my glass in my right hand. The flashing lights, the hovering smoke of cigarettes and drug infused hookah pipes, th
Aria POVMy eyes grew wide, my hands froze at my sides, and my heart began pounding."Oh no!" was all that ran through my mind.The way Jared saluted and kneeled before Noah could only mean that he was high-ranking, either military or aristocracy…and I had just bared my fangs and threatened to fight him. I would be taken into custody without question. They would discover that I was practicing healing illegally and my life would be over!"Sir, what is this commotion?" Jared asked Noah respectfully."Bergmann family business, Jared," Noah said, not taking his eyes off me. "This…woman…is in my way."F*ck! Did he just say the Bergmann family? This was definitely not good."Aria!" Jared hissed at me. "Stand down now if you know what's good for you!"I was torn. On the one hand, if I did not move then my life would be over and I'd probably spend the rest of my days rotting in some dingy cell. On the other hand, Tony was my patient, and even as an unlicensed practitioner I had
Aria POV"Are you interested in something?" I asked Noah teasingly, subtle revenge for how he had treated me back at the alleyway.Despite my revealing dress to blend in with the nightlife of the red light district, promiscuity was not in my nature. But some part of me was tempted to hike the hem of my dress up a little bit for the man next to me.Get a hold of yourself! I thought to myself."No," Noah replied, his eyes darting back to the road ahead."Didn't seem that way back at the bar," I muttered. "You were very quick to jump to my rescue.""Only because the fight would have been unfair, and man shouldn't fight a woman unless he has good reason," Noah replied coolly."And you had good reason in the alleyway?" I said with equal calmness."You were interfering with my business," he retorted."And what business would that be?" I asked."None of your concern," he whispered.We drove in silence for a while. The atmosphere between us was filled with tension and une
**Aria POVI could feel the warmth of his lips as they hovered barely an inch away from mine. His strange yet alluring scent enveloped my senses, igniting an instinct that wanted nothing more than to reach for the back of his neck and pull him into a kiss.But when he leaned forward to do just that, I found myself pulling away and getting out of the car.There was no point in kissing a man like Noah; a high-ranking socialite had no business getting involved with a low-born like me unless it was for a night of quick pleasure. Besides, he assumed I was a prostitute, so he probably saw me as an easy f*ck anyway."Aria, wait!" Noah's voice echoed after me as I began to walk down the road.I turned around and saw him get out of the car but not come any closer, merely gazing at me.I tucked a strand of hair behind my ear and gazed back."What is it?" I asked him in a casual tone.Noah paused for a moment, as though deciding the best choice of words."This…was not nearly as
**Noah POVI watched Aria disappear down the dimly lit street before driving back the way I came. There was a slight twang of loss that vibrated in my chest, knowing that it was unlikely that I would ever see her again.I knew that she was a prostitute, but I just couldn't shake that feeling. Her scent had been so different from other she-wolves; it was vibrant and alluring, and every time that I breathed in I wanted more.I shook my head and pushed those feelings down. I still had a job to do.I dialed Atlas's number, which he answered after a few rings."Hey Atlas, I dropped your girl off as we agreed," I said. "Please tell me you have something for me, or was this just a waste of my time?""My girl, huh?" Atlas mused. "Perfect timing then, one of my informants may have a lead on your runaway spy. Just be gentle with them; my employees don't generally like working with you silver spoon types. Wouldn't want you scaring them away.""I'll be cordial," I responded."Good,