A Dangerous Proposition

"You're not thinking straight, Cassian."

Dante's voice was calm, but there was an edge to it, a dangerous warning as he stared at the younger wolf. His eyes flickered in the dim moonlight, his muscles coiled and tense, ready to spring into action at any moment.

"I know what I'm saying," Cassian shot back, his voice cracking with fear. He glanced at Aria, then back at Dante, desperation clear in his eyes. "You don't understand. Luca... he's not going to stop until he has her."

Aria felt a chill crawl down her spine. She had heard these warnings before, but now, hearing them from someone like Cassian—a wolf she had trusted—made it all too real. Luca's obsession with her wasn't just about power; it was about something deeper, something primal.

"What does he want with me?" Aria asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

Cassian hesitated, his gaze dropping to the ground. "He... he thinks you're the key to unlocking the ancient powers of the Moon Goddess. He believes... if he can control you, he'll control everything."

Dante growled low in his throat, the sound vibrating through the air. "We're not letting that happen."

Aria's pulse quickened, the weight of Cassian's words settling over her like a suffocating blanket. She didn't ask for this power, this burden. But now it was hers, and with it came the threat of Luca's twisted ambitions.

Before the conversation could go further, Dante stood, his imposing figure casting a shadow over both of them. "We can't stay here. They'll find us if we don't move now."

Cassian nodded, his face pale but determined. "There's a safe house—an old building, outside of the pack's territory. I know a place where we can hide for now."

Dante turned to Aria, his eyes softening for the briefest moment. "We'll keep you safe. I promise."

Hours later, they arrived at the building Cassian had mentioned—a tall, glass-fronted structure in the middle of the city. The contrast between the wilderness they had escaped and the sleek modern lines of the office building was jarring.

Aria looked up, her eyes tracing the bold letters above the door: Blackwood Enterprises. She had heard of the company in passing, but she never imagined that Dante's family owned one of the largest corporations in the city.

"What is this place?" she asked, her voice laced with awe.

Dante smirked, pushing open the door. "It's where the human world intersects with ours. My family's business. Welcome to Blackwood Enterprises."

As they stepped inside, the air was thick with power and luxury. The marble floors gleamed beneath their feet, and the scent of leather and fresh paper filled the space. A massive chandelier hung from the ceiling, casting a warm glow over the elegant reception area. It felt like stepping into another world, far removed from the dangers lurking outside.

Cassian lingered by the door, his eyes scanning the area nervously. "We won't be safe here for long. Luca will figure it out."

Dante shrugged off his concern. "He'll have to go through me first."

They made their way through the hallways, each one more luxurious than the last. It felt strange to Aria, being in a place so pristine and civilized after everything she had been through. But there was something comforting about it too—something about the way Dante moved through this space, as if he was in complete control.

Finally, they reached Dante's private office. It was a large, open space with floor-to-ceiling windows that offered a stunning view of the city skyline. The desk was made of dark mahogany, and leather chairs were scattered around the room. On the walls, framed photographs of Dante's family hung alongside abstract art, each piece meticulously chosen to reflect the power and influence of the Blackwood name.

Dante motioned for Aria to sit in one of the chairs. "This will be our base for now. No one can get in here without my permission."

Aria sank into the chair, her mind racing with questions.

The change in setting—from the wilds to the heart of a corporate empire—was disorienting. But at the same time, it felt like the pieces of a puzzle were slowly falling into place. Dante wasn't just a powerful Alpha; he was a billionaire, a man who straddled both the supernatural and human worlds with ease.

Cassian stood by the window, his eyes scanning the skyline. "Luca's men won't give up."

"They won't find us," Dante said, his voice laced with authority. "Not here."

Aria glanced at Dante, her heart pounding in her chest. "What now? What's our next move?"

Dante leaned against his desk, crossing his arms over his broad chest. His eyes met hers, filled with an intensity that made her breath catch. "We go on the offensive. If Luca wants a war, he'll get one."

Aria swallowed hard, her mind spinning with the weight of the situation. But beneath the fear and uncertainty, there was something else—a flicker of hope. For the first time since her rebirth, she felt like she wasn't fighting alone. Dante was with her, and together, they could face whatever came next.