Chapter Thirteen

Ariana, understanding the depths of Ethan's pain, is left in silent contemplation.

She realizes that beneath the Alpha's ruthless exterior lies a heart burdened by an immense tragedy. 

Her heart ached for him, and she had silently vowed to find a way to ease his pain, even as her own future remained uncertain.

Tonight, the room was cloaked in darkness, illuminated only by the soft, silver glow of the moon seeping through the partially drawn curtains. Ariana lay on the bed, engrossed in thoughts. The story of Ethan's past cemented her determination to find a way to impress and lighten his heart, no matter the odds.

The door groaned softly as it swung open, and Alpha Ethan entered, his eyes revealing nothing but cold determination. He was a master of control, expecting nothing more than the usual failure. His jaw was set, and the tension in the room was palpable.

Ariana met his gaze with unwavering determination. This was her second chance, and she wasn't about to let it slip through her fingers. She had learned from her previous attempt, and now, she was ready to challenge the expectations he held. The dim light revealed his silhouette, his presence casting an unmistakable aura of authority that settled upon Ariana. Ethan anticipated resistance, and he was ready to make sure the consequences would be more severe and ruthless than ever.

The sound of his boots echoed through the chamber as he approached Ariana. His eyes, cold and piercing, met hers, and his lips curled into a predatory smile as he commanded her attention,

"You're part of a system woven with the threads of strength and submission. Roles exist for a reason, Ariana. Time to show me what you've learned." He muttered.

  "And resistance only breeds chaos," He added as he moved with predatory grace, closing the door behind him.

The Alpha had entered, his eyes, pools of intense determination, ready to assert his dominance and make his intentions known.

Ariana felt a surge of determination as she decided to make her move, nervously,  "Alpha, I... I want to make you proud tonight."

Her hand inched forward, seeking his, her movements cautious yet determined. His hand lay there, inviting but still, waiting for her to bridge the gap.

He smiled sarcastically, "Words don't impress me, Ariana."

Ariana delicately advanced towards him, bridging the gap between them with each step, ready to showcase the skills she had honed in an attempt to find favor in the eyes of her captor.

"I'm waiting," Ethan's voice resonated, a low rumble that stirred the air.

As she closed the gap, Ariana's touch was tender, a wordless plea for recognition and understanding. She traced delicate patterns on the Alpha's hand, seeking a response, any sign that her courage hadn't gone unnoticed.

Ethan, with a hint of impatience,  "You've failed before, Ariana. Do you think you can succeed now?"

She hesitated for a moment, her trembling fingers gently tracing the solid contours of the Alpha's chest. Ariana's heart pounded, but she couldn't afford to let fear overtake her. With a soft voice quivering from nervousness, she posed a question, "Is this what you want?"

Ethan didn't speak but kept his gaze on her, intense and unyielding. The tension in the room thickened.

Ariana's hands, trembling with longing, continued their journey across his body. She explored him with a delicate yet passionate touch, pouring her heart into this intimate moment.

With a breathless sigh, Ethan acknowledged her efforts with a heated whisper, "Now, you have my attention."

Ariana nodded with gratitude in her eyes.

Ethan swiftly put his hands beneath her knees, maneuvering her with precision until her lower half rested at the edge of the bed. Gently, he slid his fingers beneath the stretched waistband of her panties, eased them down from her hips to her ankles, and softly spread her legs.

A burning desire, familiar but rare, reflected in his eyes as he deals with a button and a zipper. It's just as he pictured it - her hair, her lips, the intimacy - and he positioned his hands under her slender buttocks, penetrating and pounding her with intensity.

With skillful precision, he led her to the brink of ecstasy with every rhythmic sway of his hips. Every motion felt like an irresistible force, each gentle adjustment seemed to magnify the promise of boundless pleasure.

As the night's dance reached its climax, silence lingered, leaving an electric stillness in its wake.

Ethan's gaze held acknowledgment, a subtle concession to Ariana's growing strength.

Breaking the tense silence, he acknowledged her with a subtle nod.

"You're not just surviving, Ariana. You're evolving"

With a faint smirk, revealing a glint of amusement, "More or less, Ariana, the reality remains unaltered. I am the alpha, and submission is not a choice but a necessity." He added.

Exhausted yet emboldened, she met his gaze with a mixture of defiance and fatigue. "Adaptation is survival," she replied, her gaze held a depth that spoke of resilience.

Ethan's stern features softened further, his satisfaction evident, a flicker of contempt in his piercing eyes.

with a rare smile,  "Your growth hasn't gone unnoticed, Ariana; strength, after all, is a language we both speak."

The Alpha, for a moment, seemed almost... proud. It was an emotion he rarely showed, a vulnerability he allowed only in his quiet moments.

Ariana's breaths came in measured steadiness, a mixture of exhaustion and triumph.

Her chest rose and fell, mildly panting, but a newfound strength emanated from within.

"Give me that choice, Ethan. Let me do this not as a pawn, but as someone who can willingly stand by your side. Don't reduce me to a mere breeding vessel please "

Alpha Ethan leaned in, his breath chilling, a predatory glint in his eyes,  "Ariana, our world thrives on submission. You can't escape the essence of what you are. You'll learn to accept it, willingly or otherwise."

His voice, a steely coldness, echoed through the chambers as he added, "In this realm, I dictate the rules, and you, Ariana, are subject to them"

Alpha Ethan retired to his chambers for the night. Now left in the silence of her room, Ariana once again immersed herself in the journal. The journey through the journal of this mysterious woman had become a ritual for her.

she delved into its contents, savoring each revelation, the words on the pages breathing life,—

*Journal Entry -Bloody Moon, Year of the Forsaken.

The moon bore witness to a tragedy etched in the shadows of despair. My mate, my beloved, met his gruesome end under the cruel tyranny of the Alpha.

The night was draped in an ominous cloak as the Alpha's enforcers closed in. My mate, David, a fierce protector, faced the onslaught with unyielding courage. The Alpha's claws, sharper than the moonlit silver, tore through fur and flesh.

His howls of agony echoed through the forest.

They say the eyes are the windows to the soul, but in the final moments, my mate's eyes mirrored not just pain but betrayal. The Alpha's guards, devoid of mercy, extinguished the flame of life with savage brutality.

The Alpha, a malevolent conductor, reveled in the evil tide that painted the forest floor. David's once vibrant fur, now stained, a canvas of tragedy.

As the moon cast its indifferent glow, I witnessed the sacrilege unfold. David's last breath lingered in the frigid air, a testament to a love extinguished by the relentless cruelty of the Alpha.

May these words be a reminder of my fallen mate, David, a testament to the savagery that stains the legacy of the Crescent Moon Pack.*