Aria’s POV
The air in the pit was thick, damp, and smelled of mold and earth. I could barely make out the walls of the small space I was trapped in, but from what I could see, it looked like a dungeon. The walls were rough stone, and the floor beneath me was cold, hard dirt.
The only source of light came from the metal grates overhead, spilling thin, slanted beams across the room. I held Edward tightly in my arms, his little body trembling against mine. His cries echoed in the hollow space, making my heart break with every whimper.
“Ssh, ssh, it’s okay,” I whispered, though I knew my words were no comfort. I rocked him gently, trying to soothe him. His tiny fists clenched against my chest, and I did the only thing I could think of to calm him. I unbuttoned the front of my dress, putting my breast to his mouth, hoping it would quiet him. But even then, Edward refused to settle. His cries, though softer, still filled the room.
The only thing louder than his sobs was the thudding of boots marching above us. The heavy, rhythmic stomping of the guards moving overhead drowned out Edward’s cries for a moment. I listened closely, trying to make sense of the noise. Why was there so much movement? What was happening up there?
Then, the sound of a carriage rattled past, the wooden wheels creaking on the stone path. I held my breath, my ears straining to catch every sound. And that’s when I heard it-a voice. A voice I hadn’t heard in what felt like forever, but one I would recognize anywhere.
Alpha Denderick.
My heart slammed against my ribs as I shifted, pressing closer to the grate, trying to get a better view of what was happening above.
Logan’s voice joined Denderick’s, low and sharp. They were talking. The two of them, enemies, were standing together just above me. I couldn’t see them clearly, but their voices were unmistakable. I forced myself to stay calm, and to listen, hoping to gather any information that might help me.
Denderick’s voice was tense. “You know why I’m here, Logan. This doesn’t have to turn into a bloodbath. Hand her over, and we’ll leave.”
Logan chuckled darkly. “Hand her over? You think I’d just give her to you like that? You’re more foolish than I thought, Denderick.”
“You don’t have a choice,” Denderick growled. “The Council gave me the authority to search every inch of your territory. If you think you can hide her, you’re gravely mistaken.”
There was a pause, and I imagined Logan’s cold smile. “Oh, by all means, search. My pack house is open to you and your men. But I assure you, you won’t find what you’re looking for.”
I could hear Denderick’s frustration in his voice as he barked orders to his guards. I imagined them fanning out, tearing through Logan’s pack house in search of me and Edward. My heart raced as I realized what this meant; Denderick was here for us. He hadn’t given up. But Logan… Logan had hidden us away, underground, where no one would think to look.
“Tell me where she is, Logan,” Denderick demanded, his voice rising. “Enough with the games.”
Logan let out a low laugh. “Denderick, you’re the one playing a losing hand. My pack house is yours to search, but you won’t find anything. Aria and your bastard son… they’re out of your reach.”
So Logan had planned this all along, to keep me hidden right under Denderick’s nose. Panic bubbled up inside me as I realized the only way out of this was if Denderick found us, but we were buried underground, far from his searching eyes.
Edward began to whimper again, and I tried to shush him. But I knew I couldn’t stay quiet any longer. Denderick was so close. He was right above me. If I screamed, if I made enough noise, maybe they would hear me.
I opened my mouth, ready to scream for help when suddenly, a hand clamped over my mouth. My scream was muffled, and I struggled, turning around to see who had grabbed me.
It was Erinne.
“What are you doing here?” I hissed, pushing her hand away and staring at her in shock. She looked as calm as ever, though there was a glint of something in her eyes-something haughty like she was in control. But how had she ended up here?
“I’m here to make sure you don’t do something stupid,” she said coolly, crossing her arms over her chest. “Logan’s orders.”
I narrowed my eyes at her, putting two and two together almost immediately. “I don’t think so. Logan locked you down here for the same reasons as me, didn’t he?” I sneered. “Looks like your little scheming and betrayal didn’t get you very far, did it, Erinne?”
Her lips curled into a tight smile. “Unlike you, Aria, I’m not a prisoner in Logan’s life. I’m here by his side, where I belong.”
I scoffed, shaking my head. “You think that makes you special? Look around, Erinne. You’re in the same hole I am. Doesn’t that tell you anything?”
Her face twisted into an ugly scowl, but I didn’t wait for her response. I turned back toward the grate, and I realized that Denderick and Logan were still talking.
“You won’t find her,” Logan was saying. “You’ve wasted your time, Denderick.”
I could see a bit of Logan’s face from where I was standing, illuminated by the faint light above. His expression was cold, but there was something else there too. He wasn’t satisfied. Denderick’s search had unsettled him.
Denderick stepped closer, boots clicking on the stone ground. “You won’t get away with this, Logan. I will find her, and when I do, you’ll regret every move you’ve made.”
Logan’s smile was chilling. “We’ll see about that. For now, I suggest you enjoy your little tour of my pack house.”
Denderick stared at Logan for long, hard minutes, before turning and walking away with his guards.
I pressed my forehead against the bars, my heart sinking as I watched him walk away. Denderick was so close, but I couldn’t reach him. He didn’t know where I was. He couldn’t see me, couldn’t hear me. My only chance at freedom was slipping away, and there was nothing I could do to stop it.
Would I ever get out of here? Would I ever be free of Logan?
Tears burned at the corners of my eyes as I clutched Edward tighter to my chest. My only chance at freedom was walking away, and with every step Denderick took, it felt like my hope was slipping further and further from my grasp.