Chapter 16: The Alpha’s Arrival
895 Words
The days passed slowly, each shift blending into the next as Aria avoided trouble where she could, spoke only when necessary, and kept her distance from both Lexi and the manager. The mark on her cheek had faded, but the memory remained.
The morning she finally visited her baby brother felt different. This was her escape—her only piece of peace, the one day she was allowed a few minutes of freedom.
The school courtyard buzzed with laughter as children ran carefree, their voices filling the air.
Aria spotted him immediately—Daniel.
“Aria!”
He ran toward her the moment he saw her, and she knelt just in time to catch him, pulling him into a tight embrace and holding him a little longer than usual, as if letting go too soon would take everything else with it.
“I missed you,” he said happily.
Aria smiled softly, brushing his messy hair back. “I missed you too.”
“Are you behaving?” she asked lightly.
Daniel nodded eagerly. “Yes! I’m studying hard so I can help you and Mom one day.”
The innocence in his voice made her chest tighten.
Aria blinked quickly, holding back tears. “You already help us more than you know.”
They sat beneath a tree while Daniel talked excitedly about home, school, and his friends. Aria listened, smiling whenever he laughed, holding onto every second.
But deep inside, she knew the truth.
She couldn’t protect him forever.
“Are you okay?” Daniel asked suddenly.
Aria blinked, surprised. “Of course.”
“You look tired.”
She forced a small smile. “Just working a lot.”
Daniel hesitated, then hugged her again. “When I grow up,” he whispered, “I’ll protect you.”
Aria closed her eyes briefly, holding him close. “You already do.”
Too soon, it was time to leave.
She stood outside the gate, watching him run back toward the school building before finally turning away—back to the life she hated.
That night, the bar was louder than usual, Aria moved quietly between tables, focused and careful, and for once, the night felt calm.
Until the door opened.
Elizabeth walked in, her presence alone shifting the atmosphere. Her friends followed behind her, laughing as they made their way to a table near the center.
Aria’s chest tightened instantly as the memory of that night flashed through her mind, and she kept her distance.
“My birthday is coming up soon,” Elizabeth said proudly.
One of her friends gasped. “The Alpha will finally make it official!”
Elizabeth smiled with complete confidence. “Of course he will.” She lifted her glass. “Everyone already knows I’ll become Eric’s Luna.”
Her friends cheered.
Aria felt something twist faintly in her chest—a feeling she didn’t understand.
Then the door opened again.
The entire room fell silent as he walked in slowly, his presence commanding without effort.
Eric Blackwood.
Even the music seemed to fade beneath the weight of him.
Aria froze, something inside her tightening.
Eric walked straight to the counter and sat down as the bartender approached nervously.
“What can I get you, Alp—”
Eric’s gaze moved across the room, searching.
Then it stopped on her.
“Her,” he said.
The bartender blinked. “Sir?”
“The girl.” Eric leaned back slightly. “I want her to serve me.”
Aria’s heartbeat quickened as the manager rushed over.
“You heard him.”
Aria stepped forward slowly and placed a glass in front of him. “What would you like?”
Eric studied her closely. “You look different tonight.”
Aria frowned slightly. “Different?”
“You look… tired.”
She looked away. “Work does that.”
His lips curved faintly. “You shouldn’t be working here.”
Before she could respond, Elizabeth’s voice cut sharply through the moment.
“Eric!”
She walked toward them quickly, her expression bright—until she noticed Aria standing beside him.
Her smile tightened.
Jealousy flickered in her eyes.
She slipped her arm around his. “I didn’t know you were coming tonight.”
Eric didn’t react.
Elizabeth glanced at Aria with clear disdain. “So this is the waitress you prefer now?”
Aria remained silent.
Eric’s voice turned cold. “That’s enough.”
Elizabeth blinked. “You’re defending her?”
Eric stood slowly. “Leave.”
Her smile disappeared. “What?”
“I said leave.” His voice was quiet, final.
Elizabeth’s face flushed with humiliation, and without another word, she turned and stormed out.
Outside, the cool night air hit her face as anger burned through her.
Lexi followed moments later.
“Well,” Lexi said slowly, “that didn’t go well.”
Elizabeth’s eyes burned with fury. “That girl…”
Lexi’s lips curved into a dark smile. “I hate her too.”
Elizabeth turned toward her.
Lexi leaned closer, her voice lowering. “What if we got rid of her?”
A brief pause followed.
“I already have an idea…” she whispered into Elizabeth’s ear.
Slowly, Elizabeth’s anger faded, replaced by something far more dangerous.
And as her lips curved into a quiet, chilling smile—Aria had just become a target.
- Writer
