Chapter 15: Temptation and Revelation

(Azaria's Point of View)

The office feels suffocating, a room filled with too much tension and anticipation, the air heavy as though it is waiting for something to break. I stood near Ethan's desk, the polished wood cool against the back of my legs as the weight of what I was about to do pressed down on me. The soft glow of the moon filtered through the large windows, casting long shadows across the room. The dim light played tricks, creating a world of swirling gray and silver, making everything seem surreal—like a dream teetering on the edge of a nightmare.

I had just unfastened the tie on my white trench coat, letting it fall open. Beneath, my deep brown skin, bathed in the silvery light, glistened softly, and my naked body was on full display. Stephanie stood just a few feet away, her striking red hair tumbling down her shoulders like a fiery waterfall. Her green eyes were wide, her mouth slightly parted as she took in the sight before her, her breath catching in her throat.

I could see the desire flickering in her gaze, that unmistakable pull between us thickening the air even more. She was conflicted—torn between her emotions for Ethan and whatever was brewing between us. But tonight, I needed her to forget about him. Tonight, I needed to set my plan in motion, and Stephanie was a key part of it.

"Well," she murmured, her voice thick and husky with desire, "what's this?"

I smiled, slow and seductive, as I let the coat fall even further, the cool air of the room sending a shiver down my spine. I didn't bother answering her question with words. Instead, I gestured for her to come closer, my eyes never leaving hers.

Stephanie hesitated for only a second, then stepped toward me, her movements slow and deliberate. She is graceful, her tall, slender frame moving with the kind of elegance that seemed effortless. Her vibrant red hair caught the moonlight as she moved, and for a brief moment, I was captivated by how beautiful she was. But there was no room for distractions.

As she reached me, her hands found their way to my thighs, her fingers cool against the warmth of my skin. Her touch was tentative at first, as though she were afraid of breaking some invisible boundary, but I knew that once she crossed it, there would be no turning back.

"I feel... adventurous tonight," I whispered, my voice thick with desire, laced with a challenge.

Stephanie's breath hitched, her fingers tightening around my thighs. "Anything for you Azi," she breathed, her voice dripping with anticipation.

She dropped to her knees in front of me, her hands slowly sliding up my thighs until they rested on my hips. The intensity of her touch sent shivers through me, and I let out a soft gasp, my head falling back as I closed my eyes, giving myself over to the moment.

I could feel her breath against my skin, hot and teasing, as her lips brushed against my core. The sensation was electric, a jolt of pleasure shooting through me as she tasted me for the first time. My fingers tangled in her fiery hair, pulling her closer as a moan slipped past my lips. Stephanie responded eagerly, her tongue darting out, flicking and swirling in a rhythm that had me gasping for breath.

I leaned back against the desk for support, my body trembling as the pleasure built, the sensation overwhelming in the best way possible. My chest heaved, my breaths coming in ragged gasps as I fought to hold on to the last shred of control I had left. But the way her mouth moved against me, the way she devoured me with such hunger—it was almost too much.

"Don't stop," I whispered, my voice strained as I tugged on her hair, urging her to continue.

She groaned softly, the vibration sending a new wave of pleasure through me, and I arched my back, pushing myself further into her mouth. The heat between us was palpable, the need, the desire. I could feel myself unraveling, the tight coil of pleasure in my belly threatening to snap at any moment.

But then, just as I was on the edge, the door to the office flew open with a resounding crash, the sound jolting both of us out of our haze.

I froze, my breath caught in my throat as I glanced toward the door. There, standing in the doorway, was Ethan. His face was a twisted mask of fury, his fists clenched so tightly at his sides that I could see the tendons straining beneath his skin. Behind him, Beta Marcus and Alpha George stood, their expressions a mix of shock and disbelief.

Time seemed to stand still for a moment. The only sound in the room was the heavy pounding of my heart, the erratic rhythm filling my ears. I could feel Stephanie's breath catch in her throat as she scrambled to her feet, her face flushed with embarrassment and fear.

"What the hell is going on here?" Ethan's voice was low, almost a growl, each word dripping with venom.

Stephanie stumbled backward, her eyes wide with panic. She looked between Ethan and me, her chest rising and falling rapidly as she tried to make sense of what was happening. Her lips moved as though she wanted to speak, but no words came out. I could see the fear in her eyes, the way her body trembled, caught between the two of us.

I stood slowly, pulling my coat closed, my gaze locked on Ethan. My heart was racing, but outwardly, I remained calm. This was the moment I had been waiting for—the moment that everything would change.

"Steph," I said, my voice smooth, "go wait for me in my room. We'll finish our conversation there."

Stephanie didn't hesitate. She practically bolted from the room, her head down, her body hunched as though she were trying to make herself disappear. I watched her leave, my heart aching for her. She was caught in the middle of something far bigger than herself, and I hated that I had dragged her into it. But it was necessary. I couldn't afford to lose sight of my goal.

Once she was gone, I turned my attention back to Ethan. His eyes were burning with anger, his face flushed with fury. I could see the veins in his neck pulsing, his hands shaking as he struggled to keep his composure. He looked like he was about to explode.

"What the hell was that Aria?" he spat, his voice rising with each word.

I met his gaze, my expression unreadable. "That?" I said coolly. "That was a little reminder that you don't own me. That I'm not your toy to play with whenever you see fit."

Ethan's eyes widened in disbelief, his mouth opening and closing as though he couldn't quite find the words to respond. "You've finally lost your mind, Aria," he finally said, his voice shaking with barely restrained rage. "You think this little stunt is going to change anything? You think humiliating me in front of my Beta and grandfather is going to give you the upper hand?"

A bitter laugh escaped my lips. "I don't need to humiliate you to gain the upper hand, Ethan. You did that all by yourself when you decided to start screwing around behind my back."

His face twisted in anger, his fists clenching even tighter. "You're one to talk, Luna. Sleeping with your aide? Ha! You're no better than I am."

I took a step toward him, my voice calm but filled with icy resolve. "The difference between you and me, Ethan, is that I didn't lie about it. I didn't sneak around behind your back. I don't need to. Because unlike you, I'm not afraid of the truth. I'm sure you've seen the hickeys and scratch marks I leave on her."

Ethan's face paled, his hands trembling as he struggled to process what I had just said. Behind him, Beta Marcus shifted uncomfortably, clearly unsure of where to place himself in this conversation. Alpha George, however, was not nearly as subtle.

"Can someone please explain what the hell just happened?" I glance at him briefly before returning my focus to Ethan, my expression unreadable.

"Nothing much," I reply coolly. "Just a little… bonding session between me and my aide while I waited for my husband to return." George's eyes widen in disbelief, his face flushing with anger.

"You mean to tell me what Ethan said is true? You've really been sleeping with your aide? And a woman, no less!"

I shrug, unfazed by his outrage. "Love comes in many forms," I say evenly, my tone measured. "It's not bound by gender or tradition. Besides, if Ethan can take her to his bed without any regard for my well-being, why shouldn't I?"

I see Ethan flinch at my words, his face paling as the weight of my accusation sinks in. He opens his mouth to speak, but no words come out, his throat working silently as he struggles to find a response. I can see the wheels turning in his mind, the realization dawning on him that I know far more than he ever suspected.

"This is a disaster," Alpha George muttered, his voice gruff. "You two are tearing this pack apart with your petty games."

I turned to face him, my expression softening slightly. "This isn't a game, Alpha George. This is about survival. Ethan has been playing with fire for far too long, and now it's time for him to face the consequences."

Ethan's face contorted with rage, his voice a dangerous whisper. "You think you're so clever, don't you? You think you can just walk away from this and take everything with you? I'm the Alpha here, Aria. I hold the power."

I stepped closer to him, my breath warm against his skin as I whispered, "Not anymore. Not over me."

His eyes widened in shock, his breath catching in his throat as the weight of my words sank in. I could see the fear in his eyes, the realization that he was losing control. For the first time, he looked vulnerable, and it was a sight I had never expected to see.

"You want me to release you?" he asked, his voice barely more than a whisper, laced with desperation.

I nodded slowly. "Yes. Release me, or we all suffer the consequences."

He stared at me, his mouth opening as though he wanted to argue, but no words came out. The room was silent, the tension so thick it felt like it was pressing down on all of us. I held his gaze, refusing to back down, refusing to show him any sign of weakness. This was the moment of truth, the moment that would determine whether I could truly break free from the chains that had bound me to Ethan for so long.

He finally spoke, his voice low and strained. "You think you'll be fine on your own, Aria? You think this pack will follow you if I let you go? They need an Alpha, not a Luna who can't even stay loyal."

I couldn't help but laugh, the sound bitter and filled with years of pent-up frustration. "Loyalty? Don't speak to me about loyalty, Ethan. I've been loyal to this pack from day one. I've sacrificed for them, strategized for them, and led them when you were too busy boosting your own ego. Do you really think anyone here doesn't know who truly holds this pack together?"

His face reddened, his fury bubbling just beneath the surface. "You're delusional," he hissed. "No one would choose you over me. You're nothing without me."

I shook my head slowly, my heart pounding but my resolve unshakable. "You're wrong, Ethan. You've underestimated me for too long. And you've underestimated this pack. They deserve better than a leader who thinks only of himself. But don't worry, I only want my freedom from you. Nothing more."

Behind him, Marcus shifted again, his eyes darting between Ethan and me. I caught the flicker of doubt in his gaze, and it gave me hope. If even his closest Beta was beginning to question him, maybe the rest of the pack would too.

"Do it, Ethan," I whispered, my voice steady. "Release me."

For a long moment, he didn't move. His eyes burned with hatred, his fists clenched so tightly that his knuckles were white. I could see the battle raging inside him—the fear of losing control, of losing everything he had built on my back. But in the end, he knew he had no choice.

With a sharp breath, he stepped back, his face twisted with disgust. "Fine," he spat. "I release you."

A surge of relief flooded through me, so overwhelming that I nearly collapsed. The bond between us, the weight that had chained me to him for so long, snapped like a thread being cut. I felt lighter, freer than I had in years. But there was no time to bask in the feeling. I had to stay strong, had to keep moving forward.

I turned toward the door, ready to leave, but Ethan's voice stopped me in my tracks.

"You'll regret this, Aria," he growled, his voice low and venomous. "You think you can just walk away? You think Stephanie will choose you over me? She's been mine for three years, and you're nothing more than a distraction to her."

I froze, my blood running cold. I had known, of course, that Stephanie's relationship with Ethan was deeper than just a passing affair. But hearing him say it, hearing the malice in his voice, made it feel more real than ever before. I turned slowly to face him, my eyes narrowing.

"Stephanie has a choice to make," I said, my voice quiet but firm. "And whatever she decides, it will be her choice—not yours, and certainly not mine."

Ethan sneered, his lip curling in contempt. "You're a fool, Aria. She'll never choose you. You're not strong enough to keep her."

I felt the sting of his words, but I refused to let him see it. Instead, I lifted my chin, my gaze never wavering. "Even if she chooses you, you'll never make her truly happy again. Either way, my impact on her won't fade and you will always be lesser in her eyes," I said softly, before turning once again and walking out of the office, leaving Ethan standing there, seething.

The hallway was quiet, my footsteps echoing off the polished floors as I made my way back to my quarters. My heart was pounding, my mind racing with everything that had just happened. But as I reached the door to my room, I hesitated.

Stephanie was waiting inside, and I knew that whatever happened next would change everything. I had set things in motion that couldn't be undone, and now it was up to her to decide where her loyalties lay.

I took a deep breath, my hand trembling slightly as I reached for the door handle. Whatever happened next, I had to be ready. For myself. For her.