The Fake Luna: Marked By The Alpha King

Ethan’s POV

I’d tried calling Clara seventeen times in the past three days.

Every call went straight to voicemail.

She’d left. Taken Marcus and disappeared without a trace—probably to her parents’ place, though they sure as hell weren’t answering my calls either.

Part of me knew I deserved it. Knew that proposing a divorce had hurt her, betrayed whatever fragile trust still existed between us.

But I couldn’t bring myself to regret it.

Not when getting rid of Clara was the only way to get Aria back.

The foundation trustees’ meeting was in two days. If I could secure that funding, prove to Aria that I was serious about building something new—something better than what Silver Creek Pack had become—

Maybe she’d give me another chance.

Maybe she’d see that I’d chosen her.

Finally.

I’d spent the entire day tracking down mutual friends from college, anyone who might still have Aria’s contact information.

Came up empty every single time.

She’d cut me out completely. Changed her number, blocked me on every platform, made it impossible to reach her.

Smart.

Frustrating as hell, but smart.

When the call from my old roommate came through—an invitation to his wedding celebration—I’d almost declined immediately.

Then he mentioned his wife.

Aria’s former classmate. Someone who might actually be able to reach her.

It was a long shot. Probably wouldn’t work.

But I was desperate enough to try.

---

Amber&Oak was exactly the kind of place I’d expected—upscale, dimly lit, jazz music playing softly in the background.

I stood outside smoking a cigarette, trying to calm my nerves before heading inside.

This whole plan hinged on convincing my friend’s wife to help me. To reach out to Aria on my behalf, to maybe agree to mediate between us.

It was pathetic. I knew it was pathetic.

But I was out of options.

"Ethan!"

I turned to see my old roommate approaching, a wide smile on his face.

I crushed the cigarette under my heel and returned his greeting, following him toward the entrance.

"Everyone’s already inside," he said. "We just finished dinner—this is the after-party. More casual, you know?"

"Yeah, sounds good."

We’d just reached the door when he stopped, turning to face me.

"Hey, so... I wanted to ask you something. A favor, actually."

Here it comes.

"Sure," I said. "What do you need?"

"My wife really wants to reconnect with Aria. They were close back in school, but lost touch after graduation." He pulled out his phone, showing me a photo of his wedding. "We’re moving back to the States permanently, and she’s hoping to rebuild some of those old friendships."

My heart rate picked up.

"I was wondering if you could help us get in touch with her?" he continued. "I know you two were together for a while. You probably still have her number, right?"

"Actually..." I chose my words carefully. "Aria and I have been going through a rough patch lately. We’re kind of... taking a break."

His expression shifted—surprise, then sympathy.

"Oh man, I’m sorry. I didn’t realize—"

"It’s complicated," I interrupted. "But honestly, this could work out perfectly. If your wife reaches out to Aria, maybe she could help us... I don’t know. Talk things through?"

I hated how desperate I sounded.

But my friend just nodded slowly, understanding dawning on his face.

"You want Sarah to play matchmaker."

"More like mediator," I corrected. "I just need a chance to explain things to Aria. To apologize properly. And I think she’d be more willing to listen if the invitation came from an old friend instead of from me directly."

"That makes sense." He clapped me on the shoulder. "Yeah, okay. I’ll talk to Sarah. I’m sure she’d be happy to help."

Relief flooded through me.

"Thank you," I said. "Seriously. This means a lot."

"No problem, man. That’s what friends are for, right?"

He headed back inside, leaving me alone with my cigarette and my thoughts.

Maybe this would work. Maybe Sarah could get through to Aria when I couldn’t.

Maybe there was still a chance to fix this.

I stubbed out the cigarette and followed my friend into the bar, ready to play nice with a bunch of people I barely remembered.

If it meant getting Aria back, I’d endure anything.