Chapter 4

AN AUDIENCE

Ayla thrashed around her tiny apartment, blaming herself for her triplets’ disappearance. She didn’t also understand why a high-profile person would target them. The only high-profile person she knew who might have the resources and influence to help her was her ex-mate, Ethan Blackford, now a powerful Alpha King. She had no idea if he'd be willing to help, but she was out of options.

She paced the apartment, consumed with fear and confusion. “I can't go back,” she reminded herself through tears. “I was banished.”

But as her misery grew, she reconsidered. “Maybe I should, I should come clean and ask for his help.” Her wolf protested, “Don't dare bruise my pride, child! If it weren't for him, we wouldn't be in this mess!”

“What do you suggest I do, then?” Ayla retorted. “Can you think of anyone with as much power as he has?!” She snapped. Her wolf fell silent, and Ayla knew what she had to do. Without another thought, she packed a small suitcase and headed to the bus station. She boarded a bus to DC, but soon regretted her decision. She suddenly asked the driver to stop, then changed her mind, apologizing for the confusion.

Ayla didn’t know what to expect from her return to the pack. She had been a nobody before, and still felt like one. As the bus ride wore on, she eventually fell asleep, her mind racing with worries and fears.

---

Ethan and Sophia's argument filled the grand dining room ad their voices echoed off the walls. Tears streamed Sophia’s face as she confronted her husband. “You’re still not listening to me, Ethan! You never listen!”

“I said I wasn't hungry, Sophia. Why must you always make a fuss?!” Ethan snapped, his eyes flashing with irritation.

“I'm your wife and Luna, Alpha,” She retorted as her voice trembled. “You owe me the respect of eating the food I prepared with my own hands!”

Sophia's eyes welled up with tears. “I still don't get it, we've been married for five years, and yet you treat me like a stranger.” She sobbed.

Ethan Blackford let out a deep, exasperated sigh, the weight of his marriage was bearing down on him. Sophia had suddenly transformed into a constant source of frustration and anger. Their daily arguments had become a never-ending cycle, draining the life from him.

Sophia's voice cracked, her words barely audible. “Tell me, truthfully, do you still love me?”

Ethan once again let out an small sigh, “Of course I do.” his response was curt, lacking conviction.

“Then act like it.” She told him sternly. “Is it because I haven't produced an heir yet?” She paused, her voice heavy with suspicion. “Or is it because you're seeing someone else?”

Ethan's expression turned defensive, but he remained silent. There was no point saying anything that could trigger her at that moment.

Just then, a guard burst in, interrupting the argument. “Alpha, a lady is at the gate, begging for an audience with you, she’s being frantic too.”

Ethan's eyes rolled in exasperation. “These angry pack members and their grievances, make sure you don't let her in.”

“She sounds persistent, doesn’t she?” Sophia responded, her voice filled with suspicion. “I’ll go see her myself.” her eyes flashed with anger as she stormed out of the room, leaving Ethan behind.

As she reached the gate, her heart raced with anticipation, she just needed one more thing to hold against Ethan. And then she saw her, she paused in her tracks, her eyes widening in shock. Ayla’s eyes widened as Sophia approached the gate. She suddenly how foolish she was to think that Ethan would show up at the gate.

“Who are you and what are you doing here?” Sophia spat, pretending not to know her.

Ayla's voice trembled, her words barely audible. “Sophia, please... it's me, Ayla. Please, I need to see the Alpha... please.”

“It’s Luna to you,” Sophia spat, her expression turning cold. She was nothing like the friend Ayla once knew. “I thought I made it clear--You're not welcome here. How dare you show your face again? What do you want to see him for?” she questioned, her teeth gritted in anger.

Ayla's eyes filled with tears, her body shaking with sobs. “Please…” her voice trailed off.

But Sophia didn't care. “Throw this... thing out of here and make sure she never sets foot on these grounds again! And if the Alpha ask, let him know it was just an angry pack member.” She spat, her face twisted in disgust.

The guards quickly move to obey, and Sophia returned to the mansion, seething with anger and frustration.

“Who was it?” Ethan asked as she entered the room.

“You were right.” She replied in annoyance. “She was just an angry pack member, I've taken care of her.” With that, she walked off.

Ayla’s frustration had been building for days, she had spent three nights outside the pack estate, trying to get an audience, but she was repeatedly turned away from the gate. She had tried every approach, every plea, every reason to convince the guards to let her in. But the answer remained the same, “The Alpha is not available.”

Finally, her desperation and frustration reached its elastic limit. She couldn’t take it anymore, time was ticking and ticking fast--She had to get in, no matter what. And then, an idea struck her. She would take a risk, but it was her only hope.

The next day, at precisely 3 pm, Ayla made her move. The gate opened for a supply truck, she sprinted towards the gates, her heart racing with anticipation. The guards were caught off guard, and before they could react, Ayla shifted and already dashed past them. She ran as fast as she could as her feet pounded on the ground, but the Epsilons were hot on her trail. Trained to be the Alpha's elite guard, these werewolves were notorious for their ruthless efficiency in taking out intruders.

Their angry growls and snares filled the air as they chased after Ayla whose heart raced with fear. She tried to outrun them but she stumbled and tripped on her paws. As she fell down, she shifted back to her human form, she lay there, weak and afraid, ready to breath her last as the Epsilons closed in.

Their jaws snapped mere inches from her face, but just as all hope seemed lost, a commanding voice rang out through the entire courtyard. “Enough!”

The Epsilons froze, their eyes fixed on their Alpha. And as Ayla looked up, she saw Ethan standing over her, with a nimbus glowing over him. Time seemed to stand still, as they locked eyes, their gazes locked in a silent standoff, until Ethan stretched his hand to lift her up.

“Nice to see you again, Miss Thompson.”