Aria’s POV
My heart raced as the women’s words echoed in my mind. Alpha Logan was behind the kidnappings? I couldn’t believe it at first. But as the shock settled in, the memories began to flood back.
Alpha Logan had always had that sinister edge, even when I was with him. I remembered the abuse I had suffered in his hands, when I was pregnant, and even after. I would never put it past him.
I remembered how the disappearances had started when I was still with Logan. Pregnant women from the nearby villages had gone missing, and I had brought my concerns to him.
I had been scared, terrified even, but Logan had dismissed me with a wave of his hand. “You’re imagining things, Aria,” he had said. “Stay out of it, it’s not your concern.”
I had wanted to believe him, but now… I couldn’t ignore the truth any longer.
I was trapped in this underground nightmare with the other women, barely holding on to hope, and soon, we were told someone was coming to inspect us. My stomach churned at the thought. Would this be the moment I could finally escape? Or would this be the moment I die?
I heard the crunch of twigs under my feet as someone approached the pit, and I forced myself to remain calm. I couldn’t afford to break, not now. As the footsteps came closer, I steadied my breathing and focused on the man approaching the pit. I kept my face neutral, hiding the terror that clawed at my insides.
The moment my eyes landed on him, I froze. That hair. That posture. There was no mistaking it.
It was Alpha Logan.
I blinked, my mouth going dry as disbelief warred with the anger building in my chest. I watched him as he inspected the other women, his movements cold and calculated, like a predator observing his prey. How had I not seen it before? The ruthlessness in his eyes, the callous way he had always dismissed me. It was all so clear now, and the realization hit me so painfully.
Logan finally turned toward me, his eyes locking with mine. For a moment, I thought I saw a flicker of something-satisfaction? Relish? No, it was something much worse.
“You,” I growled. “You’re the one behind all this. I should have known. You were the one who planned my kidnap as well, right?”
He raised an eyebrow, a cruel smirk tugging at his lips. “Did you figure it out, or did one of these women tell you? Anyway, you have a lot to answer for, Aria. First, you claim that Edward is my son, then you run from me, claiming he isn’t. What should I believe?”
I swallowed the bile rising in my throat and stepped forward. “You monster. You’ve been kidnapping women-pregnant women-killing them. No?” My voice trembled, but I didn’t care. I needed answers.
Logan shrugged as if my words meant nothing. “I’ve always done what needed to be done, Aria. You know that.”
“Needed to be done?” I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. “You’re murdering innocent women. For what?”
His eyes darkened, the smirk disappearing from his face. “It’s not about them. It’s about survival. And power.”
“Power?” I spat. “What kind of power do you get from slaughtering women?”
He stepped closer to me. His presence was suffocating, but I held my ground. “It’s not as simple as you think. Alpha Denderick was searching for you, and it became a convenient opportunity.” He smiled a wicked, twisted smile that made my blood run cold. “You see, while he was looking for you, I took the chance to make it look like he was responsible for the murders. I had to discredit him before the Council of Alphas.”
I recoiled, my mind struggling to process his words. “You’re framing him?”
Logan’s smile widened. “Yes. All eyes are on Denderick now. They all believe he’s the one behind the killings.”
“How could you do this?” I asked, my voice breaking. “You know Denderick would never-”
He cut me off, stepping even closer until his face was inches from mine. “It doesn’t matter what Denderick would or wouldn’t do. What matters is that I’m in control. And if you don’t start cooperating with me, Aria, I’ll make sure you pay the ultimate price.”
I glared at him, hatred burning in my chest. “Whatever you want me to do, I’ll never do it, Logan. Never.”
He chuckled darkly. “You’ll change your mind.” His voice was calm, too calm, and it sent a chill down my spine. “You see, Aria, I have something you care about.”
I froze, fear gripping my heart. “What do you mean?”
He leaned in, his breath hot against my cheek as he whispered, “Your son, Edward. Or should I say our son? Or Denderick’s? What should I believe, Aria?”
Time seemed to stop. My entire body went numb. I stared at him in horror. “No…”
Not Edward. My sweet, innocent boy.
“You wouldn’t,” I whispered, my voice barely audible.
Logan’s smile returned, cruel and triumphant. “Oh, but I would. If you don’t do exactly as I say, Aria, I’ll kill him. Slowly. Painfully.”
Tears welled in my eyes, but I refused to let them fall. I couldn’t show weakness, not in front of him. “If you lay a hand on him-”
“I won’t have to,” Logan interrupted. “Not if you cooperate.”
I bit back the sob threatening to escape my throat. My heart was breaking, torn between the rage I felt toward him and the terror for my son’s life. I couldn’t let him hurt Edward. I couldn’t.
“What do you want from me?” I asked through clenched teeth.
He straightened up, satisfaction gleaming in his eyes. “Good. Now we’re getting somewhere.” He paused, watching me like a snake ready to strike. “I need you to do exactly as I say. No questions. No defiance. If you try anything…” He let the threat hang in the air.
I didn’t respond. My mind was reeling, scrambling to find a way out of this nightmare. But all I could think of was Edward, his tiny face flashing before my eyes.
“Aria.” Logan’s voice snapped me out of my thoughts. “Do we have an understanding?”
I swallowed hard, my hands shaking at my sides. I hated myself for what I was about to say. “Yes,” I whispered. “I’ll do what you want.”
Logan’s smirk returned, full of cruel satisfaction. “Good. That’s all I needed to hear.”
He turned away, leaping out of the hole with such ease that it surprised me. “Just remember, Aria. If you try to run, if you try to fight me, Edward will pay the price.”