Tyler.
My private quarters was a haze of dim light and swirling emotions. The stench of alcohol hung heavily in the air, a tangible reminder of my futile attempt to drown the pain that gripped my heart. I couldn't shake the feeling of helplessness, the torment of not knowing where Arya was. She was out there somewhere, lost in the vastness of the city, and I couldn't find her.
I'd dispatched my most trusted men to ransack every corner of the city, hoping for a glimmer of hope, a clue that would lead me to her. But there was nothing. Not a single trace of Arya or Lauren. Frustration and anger bubbled within me, threatening to consume me whole.
The absurdity of my situation hit me hard. I'd even resorted to putting an exorbitant bounty on Lauren's head, hoping that greed would lead someone to her, and in turn, reveal Arya's location. Yet, the silence persisted, mocking my efforts.
I raised the bottle of vodka to my lips for another swig, the liquid burning on its way down, momentarily distracting me from the turmoil within. I stared at the amber liquid, wishing it could wash away the ache in my soul, the ache that only Arya could soothe.
Nate's voice cut through the haze of my thoughts as he spoke, his tone laced with both frustration and care. "How long are you going to keep drinking?" he questioned, his gaze steady. I shot him a venomous look, my anger bubbling just beneath the surface.
"If you don't have any news on Arya, get out," I spat, my voice laced with anger as I took another swig from the bottle.
Nate, undeterred, seized the vodka bottle from my hands, leaving me coughing and gasping for breath. His gaze remained fixed on me, a mixture of frustration and compassion etched on his face. "You're a warrior, Tyler. A fighter. Drinking will do you no good."
I scoffed at his attempt to reason with me. "What the fuck would you have me do?" I roared, the frustration that had been building up now spilling over. "I have no idea where she is. I can't find her. She might be in pain right now! And I can't do anything. Nothing!"
Nate joined me at the bar, his expression shifting from frustration to empathy. "You can't lose hope, Tyler. We found out where Lauren took her."
His words cut through my despair, and I snapped my head up to look at him. "What!? Where?"
Nate leaned in, his voice lowered to a conspiratorial tone. "A park close to the outskirts of the Rogue city. Lauren bribed the guards to give her privacy. She even paid for the park that day, so it was empty. No witnesses."
My heart skipped a beat at the unexpected glimmer of hope. "A park? Why there?" I asked, my mind racing with possibilities.
Nate's eyes held a mix of empathy and understanding. "Probably for the supposed picnic. I don't know, Tyler. But at least now we have a lead. We can find her."
The revelation sent a surge of energy through me, a renewed determination to rescue Arya from whatever nightmare she was enduring. The numbness that had settled over me began to dissipate, replaced by a burning fire of purpose.
"Why the hell didn't you tell me this sooner?" I demanded, my desperation mixing with anger.
Nate frowned, his eyes held mine steadily. "Because I needed you to listen. You can't find her if you drown yourself in alcohol. You have a lead now, and we need you focused."
"Did you search the area?" I asked, my thoughts racing as I tried to think of what might have happened during the outing.
"Not yet," Nate shook his head, a glint of relief in his eyes. "But I have the guards stationed there. Waiting for your order."
The gravity of his words sank in, and I nodded, the fog in my mind beginning to lift.
"Take me there," I ordered, a renewed determination in my voice.
It was a small victory, a beacon of light in the vast darkness that had consumed me. There was no time for self-pity, no room for despair. Arya needed me, and I would stop at nothing to bring her back.
*****
Lauren.
I stood against a window in one of the private rooms in Ethan's grand mansion, my eyes fixated on the sprawling city below. The success of my plan had me beside myself with glee.
The weight of my actions rested on my shoulders, but I couldn't help but feel a sense of accomplishment. It was a twisted elation, knowing that soon Arya would be gone, and Tyler, grieving and vulnerable, would be mine for the taking.
As I glanced out at the city lights, my mind couldn't help but drift back to the Rogue pack. The Rogue pack had a warmth and acceptance that the Crest pack sorely lacked. I missed the camaraderie, the raw energy that pulsed through our veins as we lived on the fringes of society.
The Crest pack, in comparison, felt mundane and stifling. Their rules, their hierarchy – it all seemed like a heavy shroud, suffocating the spirit of freedom that I was used to. Ethan ruled with an iron fist. I hated it.
I pondered the dynamics between the two brothers, Tyler and Ethan. Tyler, with his genuine heart and quiet strength, stood in stark contrast to his brother's arrogance. It was crystal clear to me why Tyler was the better choice.
Ethan was relentless in his pursuit, determined to assert dominance over Tyler and, by extension, me. It wasn't surprising that he would try to provoke Tyler into attacking him.
The power struggle between the brothers was evident, and Ethan's thirst for control knew no bounds. He was willing to bait Tyler into a confrontation, a reckless move that showcased his audacity and disregard for consequences.
I couldn't let Ethan's recklessness jeopardize my carefully laid plans. If Tyler fell into the trap, it could lead to unnecessary bloodshed, potentially exposing my plan. So, I had taken it upon myself to dissuade Ethan, to convince him that provoking Tyler was not in his best interest.
With Ethan planning to eliminate Arya, I would soon be on my way back to the Rogue pack with the news of her demise. It was a strange comfort that, this time, I wouldn't be lying.
Tyler's grief would be palpable, and I would be there to offer him comfort, to be the support he needed in his moment of vulnerability. The pack would mourn, and in the midst of it all, I would offer myself as the new Luna.
As I continued to watch the city below, my thoughts swirled with a mix of nostalgia, satisfaction, and determination. The pieces were in place, and soon, I would be back where I truly belonged – with the Rogue pack, as Tyler's Luna