Aiden’s POV
As the evening’s gathering wound down and the Alpha king delivered his final speeches, the room erupted in applause. Packs from across the world were acknowledged, but none more than Alpha Ethan’s pack. To my surprise, the Rock Reel Pack of Paris was hailed for its innovation, prosperity, and strength. They were recognized not just as a powerful pack but as the most powerful pack in all of Paris.
I felt a mixture of respect and urgency. This was the ally I had been looking for all along, even if the odds seemed stacked against me because Ethan’s pack was wealthy and independent, and didn’t need anything from my struggling territory. I thought about what I could offer and I resolved to offer him a ten percent share of my territory. Deep down, I knew that would be of little interest to a pack as self-sufficient as Ethan’s.
As the formalities ended, I exchanged pleasantries with a few Alphas, making sure to keep my composure, though my mind was already calculating what to do next. I spotted the Alpha king, Mouris, standing near the back of the room, and made my way over.
“Hello, Mouris,” I greeted him, extending my hand.
“Aiden,” Mouris said with a broad smile and pulled me into a quick hug. “You’ve been a ghost around here for the last seven years. How are you holding up?”
“I’m good, Mouris. My pack is in a better position now, which is why I could make it this year,” I forced a smile.
It was a lie. Mouris wasn’t someone I trusted, not after hearing the story of how he betrayed his best friend and took over his pack when it was most vulnerable. I suspected that the only thing stopping Mouris from trying the same with my pack was the location barrier between us. Mouris’ pack was in Italy, while mine is in Rome.
As we continued talking, I noticed Ethan approaching. Mouris greeted Ethan with a warm hug, clearly more familiar with him than with me. Ethan gave me a polite nod and said a brief “Hello” before turning to leave.
“Alpha Ethan,” I called out without thinking.
Ethan stopped and turned to me with a neutral expression. I almost thought I saw a flicker of recognition in his eyes.
“I’m Alpha Aiden from Rome,” I said, extending my hand once again, this time more formally.
Alpha Ethan hesitated for only a second before shaking my hand.
“Ethan.”
I wasted no time, knowing that the opportunity to speak with Ethan directly might not come again.
“I would like to discuss something important with you,” I paused, “an alliance between our packs.”
Ethan’s face remained impassive, but his eyes showed curiosity.
“An alliance?” he echoed.
“Yes,” I said, trying to steady my voice.
“And what, exactly, would my pack gain from such an arrangement?”
I knew this question was coming and I had prepared for it, but now that I was face to face with Ethan, I realized how inadequate my offer would sound. Still, I pressed on.
“I’m prepared to offer you ten percent of my territory as a sign of goodwill.”
Ethan looked unimpressed. He crossed his arms and let out a soft chuckle.
“Just ten percent? Of your territory?” He shook his head. “I don’t think you understand. My pack doesn’t need land or resources. We are self-sufficient. What would we gain from this alliance?”
My heart sank. I could feel the conversation slipping away from me, but I wasn’t ready to give up.
“Your pack may not need land, but alliances are about more than just territory. Mutual protection, shared intelligence, joint efforts in the face of larger threats-”
Ethan cut me off with a dismissive wave. “I appreciate your efforts, but no. My pack has no interest in such an alliance, especially since your pack is in Rome. We have our own priorities.” He turned to leave, but I, desperate, called after him.
“Wait. Do you have a twin sister?”
Ethan froze mid-step, his back to me. Slowly, he turned around, his expression a mask of calm, though something dangerous flickered in his eyes.
“No,” he said flatly. “I don’t have a twin sister.”
I couldn’t tell if he was lying or if this was some strange coincidence, but I pressed on.
“You look exactly like someone I used to know. A woman named Shenaya-same red hair, same emerald-green eyes. It’s unsettling.”
Ethan’s face remained unreadable.
“I have a sister, but her name is not Shenaya. And she had never left Paris.”
“I heard that you co-lead the pack with your sister,” I said, even though I knew it wasn’t necessary.
“Yes, I do,” he said almost with pride.
I swallowed hard because I wasn’t sure of what to make of Ethan’s words. My instincts screamed that there was something more to this, but Ethan gave nothing away.
“I see,” I said in a low voice. “I must have been mistaken.”
It must have been a mistake because Shenaya is an Omega wolf, and there is no way she could be related to Alpha Ethan, let alone co-lead his pack with him, but the resemblance is killing me.
For a moment, neither of us spoke, and I wondered if the conversation had reached its end. But just as Ethan turned to leave once more, he paused and glanced back over his shoulder.
“I’ll speak with my co-Alpha about this alliance,” Ethan said in a casual tone. “She’ll have an opinion on the matter, and I’ll make no decisions without her consent. I’ll be in touch with you.”
Ethan’s words weren’t a firm agreement, but they were a chance I wasn’t sure I deserved. I nodded, grateful for the opening.
“Thank you. I’ll wait for your decision.”
Ethan gave a small nod and walked away, leaving me standing in the middle of the grand hall, deep in thought. I had come to this gathering looking for an ally, and now I have hope that I am going to get it.
More importantly, as oddly as it sounds, seeing Ethan made me feel I would find Shenaya and my child, and I hope to find them real quick.