Page 10 of Aries
“Fine.”
He waited as I pulled on my sweatpants and hoodie, pulling up the hood and slinging my bag over my shoulder. Once I nodded that I was ready, he turned, leading me outside into the night.
By now the crowd had vanished, leaving a few cars. In the center of the light was one that stood out. Of course, that was theone he walked right to, clicking to unlock it, the lights flashing in response.
The black Audi screamed money. Real money. He smirked at my questioning look. There was no fucking way any man that had money like this was related to me.
I grew up in a fucking trailer. Had to fight for every meal and opportunity I had.
“Let me introduce you to a new life, brother.”
I hated that I trusted him. But something about the way he talked to me told me that he was different. That he meant what he said.
As soon as the doors shut and we were alone, he spoke again.
“Do you know who the Crows are?”
Everyone did. I just didn’t place his last name to them until now.
“What are you proposing?” I asked. His offer held even more weight now. He could make this a clean death.
“I want you to join the family, brother. We have resources. Money. Power. You can even keep fighting if you want. Two fights a week, but the rest of the time, you work with my team.”
“And you’ll make sure she disappears after I extract my pound of flesh,” I said flatly. It wasn’t a question, but he nodded anyway. “Fine.”
He grinned. “I knew you’d come around.”
Chapter
Five
Nikolai
Things were quiet, but not necessarily tense, as Ronan navigated through the city. I didn’t like being around anyone, so the easy silence was strange.
He hummed quietly to the radio as he drove through the empty streets. At this time of night there was barely any traffic on this side of the town. It wasn’t exactly known for its night life.
My hands clenched and unclutched methodically, the movement giving me something to focus on so I wouldn’t lose my shit yet.
All I could think about was that cop's words. It felt a bittooconvenient. They knew I’d call but somehow beat me to it? And today of all days, after four goddamned years, suddenly they had answers?
I wasn’t fucking buying it.
They clearly thought I was some unhinged alpha who wouldn’t ask further questions. If they thought that their word with zero proof was enough, then they’d lost their minds.
What scared me more was how long it had been since Aries had gone missing without a trace. When an omega disappeared like that, it didn’t usually end well. That was enough to haunt me every second of every day.
“Tell me about her,” Ronan finally broke the silence. He cast a look from me, the orange glow of the streetlights shining off of his rose gold hair. He looked far too innocent for this life. I had a feeling that let him get away with far more than the average criminal.
“The mom or my mate?” I clarified.
“I’m going to be real here because that’s who I am,” Ronan said evenly, not answering the question quite yet. “If the omega was your mate, she was likely mine as well. I already have a packmate, and it felt like this when I met him. A little too easy and calm. We’re pack, too, brother.”
What an odd thought. I couldn’t deny I felt like I’ve known him for years despite just meeting, like I could trust him… but that surely didn’t equate to pack. Family, maybe? Fuck, I wouldn’t know. I’ve never had one.
“You don’t want someone like me in your pack. I’m not suited for that kind of life anymore,” I said in a rough voice, the pain coming through despite my usual control. My gaze shifted to the window, looking out to avoid his penetrating stare.
We couldn’t be. Not when I didn’t have my omega.
