Lauren.
Two days had passed since my arrival at the Crest pack, and the silence surrounding Ethan's progress was deafening. My patience, already worn thin, threatened to snap completely, and the dull ache of boredom had become almost unbearable. The room felt suffocating, closing in on me as I waited for news about Arya's fate.
Ethan, the key player in my carefully laid-out plan, seemed to be moving at a snail's pace. I couldn't understand why he was taking so long to get rid of Arya. Was he, in some twisted way, in love with her? And was that why he hadn't executed her yet?
Love was a word foreign to Ethan's lexicon, but the possibility lingered in the back of my mind. His complex way of thinking often left me in the dark, struggling to decipher his motives.
Did he want her as his mate? The mere thought sent shivers down my spine, and I couldn't let that happen.
Sitting still and waiting had never been my forte, and this situation was testing the limits of my endurance. The uncertainty gnawed at me, feeding my impatience and fueling my desire to take matters into my own hands.
As I paced the room, the rhythmic tapping of my heels on the polished floor echoed my growing frustration. I needed answers, and I needed them now. The air in the room felt charged with tension, and I could no longer ignore the nagging doubt that Ethan might have a personal agenda regarding Arya.
Ethan had spoken of teaching Arya a lesson before putting an end to her existence. The story of her betrayal, calling him her mate and then fleeing, seemed to have fueled his determination for revenge. Yet, the execution was nowhere in sight. He had locked her away, a decision that puzzled me. Why delay the inevitable if she was to face the consequences of her actions?
With each passing moment, my impatience escalated into a burning desire to confront Ethan. I needed to understand the reasons behind his delay. The thought of Arya potentially becoming his Luna sent a surge of anger through my veins. I couldn't allow another war to unfold between the Rogue pack and Crest pack, not when I was so close to claiming my position as Luna.
Exiting my room, I weaved through the mansion's corridors. My eyes narrowed with determination as I spotted a guard in my path. Without hesitation, I approached him, my gaze demanding attention. "Take me to your Alpha. I have something important to tell him," I declared, my voice leaving no room for objections.
The guard hesitated, his eyes scrutinizing me. "I said it's important. So now would be nice."
His frown deepened, but he nodded, gesturing for me to follow. Our steps echoed through the hallway as we approached Ethan's office. The guard knocked, announcing my presence. The silence that followed made me ponder if I should take matters into my own hands and knock again.
"Show her in," Ethan's voice finally broke the quiet, carrying a hint of annoyance. I pushed the door open, ignoring the guard's annoyed stare as I walked past him.
Ethan sat behind his desk, an air of authority surrounding him. He was handsome. I'll give him that. In his own sharp and terrifying way.
I met his gaze with steely determination, her impatience simmering just beneath the surface. "Ethan," I greeted, my voice low and bold. "We need to talk about Arya. Why the delay? I thought we had an understanding."
"Lauren, Lauren." He leaned back in his chair, studying me with a calculating expression. "Not enjoying your stay at my humble abode?"
I shot him a withering look, my patience dwindling by the second. "This is not the time for your games, Ethan. We had a deal."
He chuckled, the sound sending shivers down my spine. "Ah, the impatience of a Luna-to-be. Always in a rush. I have my reasons, Lauren. Besides, whatever I do with Arya, is none of your damn business."
I took a step closer to his desk, my eyes narrowing. "I need Arya gone. Now."
His gaze remained unwavering, a mask of cold indifference settling over his features. "You think you can waltz into my kingdom, demand things, and expect them to happen on your timeline?"
I clenched my fists, trying to keep my temper in check. "Arya's presence threatens the plans I've worked so hard to achieve. Do you want another war on your hands?"
He leaned forward, his eyes narrowing as he studied me. "You underestimate me, Lauren. I am well aware of the consequences. I have my own plans for Arya."
"Then enlighten me," I retorted, my patience wearing thin. "What are your plans, and why the delay?"
A smirk tugged at the corner of his lips, aggravating me further. "Why the hurry, Lauren? Could it be that you're afraid I might change my mind?"
I took a deep breath, attempting to maintain composure. "I need to know where you stand, Ethan. Is this about power, or is there something more? Are you in love with Arya?"
His laughter filled the room, a bitter and mocking sound. "Love, Lauren? That's a quaint way of putting it. But let's be clear – what I feel for Arya is none of your business. You're in my kingdom, at my mercy. One word from me, and Tyler won't have to bother himself with killing you."
He rose from his chair, the atmosphere growing more oppressive. Fear gripped me as he advanced, cornering me against the wall. His hand wrapped around my neck, not quite choking me, but enough to send a chill down my spine.
"Watch your words, Lauren," he warned, a cold anger in his voice. "I'm in a good mood today. Don't ruin it with your persistence. As you can see, I could snap your neck without a second thought." I could feel the power he held over me, the weight of his authority. This man was dangerous.
"Nobody knows Arya is locked up," he whispered, his breath hot against my ear. "And she'll stay there for a long time. As long as I want. I enjoy the power I have over her. Why let her out so soon?" He pushed me away, his gaze unwavering. "Get out of my office, Lauren, before I reconsider your usefulness to me."
I stepped back, my eyes wide with terror. This man was unpredictable, and I was treading on dangerous ground.
As I left his office, I couldn't shake the feeling that I had just glimpsed the dark depths of Ethan's ruthlessness. At least, I had an idea of what he wanted, though bleak. I needed to come up with another plan. Especially now that I was certain that he didn't plan on killing Arya.