Ares POV

　　"We require your input regarding the details of your strategy," Newt reiterated on behalf of Hernando, prompting me to focus my attention on him.

　　In response, I merely regarded him with a steady gaze, silently acknowledging his request.

　　Ander chimed in with a laugh, "The Moon Stone Pack is never short on ingenuity."

　　Drake nods.

　　"Now, I don't intend to pressure you into discussing something you consider trivial," Hernando remarked, chewing on the inside of his cheek thoughtfully. "Rather, I would prefer a private conversation with you," he continued, and without hesitation, Newt exited the room.

　　Without waiting for my response, he continued, "I believe it's time we address the matter concerning his pack."

　　With a solemn nod, Ander and Drake rose from their seats and quietly exited the room. As the door closed behind them, leaving Hernando and me alone, he posed a straightforward question, "Are you interested in negotiating terms with his pack?"

　　"No," I stated firmly. "I have no interest in engaging in a conflict with his pack. I'm not even aware of his grievances against me. I simply harbor no feelings towards him, his parents, or his pack. My allegiance lies solely with my pack," I emphasized.

　　"I refuse to stoop to his level," I continued, frustration coloring my tone. "He serves as a prime example of an inept Alpha," I concluded with disdain.

　　"Just so you're aware, I have a formidable force of skilled warriors at my disposal, and they're more than capable of joining forces if need be," Hernando assured me, his gaze unwavering as he mentioned his daughter's name.

　　Perplexed, I inquired, "What exactly do you mean?"

　　"My daughter is no ordinary Luna confined to domestic duties. She possesses the strength and prowess befitting an Alpha, despite being a woman," Hernando explained, pride evident in his voice. "She alone could vanquish the Alpha of the Sun Flower Pack. However, Bathel is cunning and possesses a wealth of strategies to outmaneuver her," he added, acknowledging the challenges we faced.

　　"Despite her youth, my daughter has proven herself capable of vanquishing numerous adversaries, so underestimate her at your peril. Treat her with the respect she deserves," Hernando's words struck me like a cold shock.

　　His daughter was responsible for the deaths of Dana's parents and countless others.

　　"That's precisely how I've treated her," I responded tersely, my mind reeling from the revelation.

　　"I hope so. I trust you won't disregard the plans I have in mind for you and her. The two of you are meant to consummate and strengthen our pack's legacy. Do not let it falter. Forge a bond that will make our pack unstoppable," Hernando urged, emphasizing the importance of our alliance and the future of our lineage.

　　Dana POV

　　Bathel, his eyes filled with confusion, inquired, "Could you elaborate on that?" As I scanned the room, his unwavering gaze remained fixed on me.

　　Turning back to him, I expressed, "I'm not entirely familiar with the sensations of liking or loving someone, because my experiences in that pack have been tainted by deception-so, I apologize." My voice trembled as I spoke, and I instinctively pressed my fingertips against my forehead, catching his attention.

　　"I'm here to listen," he murmured. "Feel free to share."

　　Grimacing, I bit down on the inside of my cheek. "Though I comprehend the feeling of liking someone, what eludes me is discerning whether your words hold truth," I confessed, locking eyes with him, tears welling up but refusing to fall.

　　His gentle touch grazed my cheek, igniting a flurry of emotions within me. "I could never fake anything with you, Dana," he whispered tenderly. "You don't deserve to be played like this." Each word he spoke seemed to quicken the rhythm of my heart.

　　A rush of happiness flooded through my veins. All my life, I have yearned for someone to truly appreciate me. After the pain and devastation inflicted by Ares, I began to doubt my worth, fearing that I might never be worthy of love.

　　I allowed his touch to linger, and I confessed, "When I'm with you, I forget about everyone else. It's a feeling I've never experienced with anyone else." My words tumbled out in a rush. "You leave me breathless, and I can't help but feel nervous and self-conscious around you." His fingers began to gently twirl strands of my hair.

　　I reach up to touch his hand resting against my cheek, I continued, my voice faltering slightly, "Because of you... I find myself drifting away from the pain of my past, and all I can think about is you." As I spoke, my lips brushed against his palm, and I closed my eyes, lost in the moment.

　　The tension between our wolf instincts was palpable as his hand slid down to my waist. "I never imagined I'd get to see you up close like this," he murmured, his voice laden with depth and urgency.

　　I couldn't help but smirk. "What do you mean? I'm just a regular person, and you're-"

　　"For me, you're not just someone," he cut in, pulling me even closer.

　　Stunned, our faces mere inches apart, I found myself smiling at his words, though the realization of his impending meeting with another pack lingered in the back of my mind.

　　"I don't know what's gonna happen next, I just wanna hold you forever," he confessed, his sincerity evident in his tone, even as the reality of his other commitments loomed overhead.

　　"But you have a meeting-" I attempted to interject, but he cut me off, his voice soft yet determined as he held me tightly.

　　"This is more important," he whispered earnestly, his embrace reassuring. "I just need to hear-"

　　"I want to be with you," I declared, my words reflecting my desire to prioritize our connection above all else.

　　I know I'm desperate to be loved, and I know that Bathel can fulfill that for me, and I do like him back.

　　"Am I hearing the right words right now?" His voice was soft, yet beneath the surface, I could sense the depth of his desperation, as if he longed for this conversation just as much as I did.