As Aria strolled through the bustling streets, the hum of the city filled her ears. Her phone buzzed, and she saw Jaxon's name flash on the screen.
"Hey, How did it go?" Jaxon asked, as Aria Weaved through the crowded street
"Pretty much as expected," Aria replied. "I've got some interesting news for you."
Aria's curiosity was piqued. "Oh? Do tell."
"I managed to track down an old Snare operative," Jaxon said, his tone carrying a hint of excitement.
"Really? Where are they?" Aria asked, her interest growing.
"Not too far from where you are now," Jaxon responded.
"That's convenient," Aria noted, glancing around at the unfamiliar surroundings.
"It's the only lead we've got, so it's worth checking out," Jaxon insisted. "They retired recently, so they might have some useful information about Snare's new base."
"Alright," Aria said with a sigh. "give me the address," Aria added, ready to move.
A short while later, Aria arrived at a quaint little house on a quiet street. She knocked on the door, and after a moment, an elderly woman answered, her eyes lighting up with recognition.
"Well, if it isn't Miss Mya," the woman said warmly. "How have you been?"
"Hello, Nora. Sorry to bother you, but I heard you retired, and I wanted to check in," Aria said, offering a friendly smile.
"How sweet of you! Retirement has been treating me well," Nora replied, her eyes twinkling. "But I'm sure that's not the reason your really here is it?" Nora asked with simple knowing. "You know me to well" Aria replied awkwardly. "I'm afraid I can't share any information about Snare." Nora told her.
"I understand, but it's really important," Aria pressed gently, her tone earnest.
Nora sighed, her expression softening. "I don't know what your looking for on them, but there's an old factory in Russia. That might have something that could help you."
"Thank you," Aria said, feeling a sense of relief wash over her. She had a lead, and that was a good start.
Aria walked off the porch and down to the sidewalk near the street. "Did you hear that?" Aria asked Jaxon this time through her ear piece. "I'm on it" he told her simply.
Aria and Zane had been on what could be considered the same team for a few days now, but noting had happened. Aria didn't want to go to the factory until she had all the info she could get on it.
But when Jaxon finally gave her the go ahead she didn't hesitate to call Zane.
The factory Nora had told Aria about was located on the outskirts of a small town in the middle of nowhere in Russia. It wasn't the perfect place for Snare to store information. But this was where they were supposed to retrieve a crucial piece of information about snares whereabouts at least that's what Aria had hoped.
As Aria and Zane navigated the dark, labyrinthine corridors, Aria couldn't shake the feeling that they were being watched. She glanced at Zane, who seemed equally on edge.
"Are you sure this is the right place?" Zane whispered, his voice barely audible.
Aria nodded, her eyes scanning the shadows. "It has to be. The intel was solid."
Just as they reached the room where the information was supposed to be, the door slammed shut behind them. Aria spun around, her heart racing. "What the—"
Before she could finish, a Snare Operative stepped out from the shadows, a sinister smile on his face. "Well, well, well. Look what we have here."
Zane's eyes narrowed. "Zack. What do you want?" Aria said stepping in front of Zane.
Zack chuckled. "Oh, just a little payback. And maybe to see what you are really made of."
Without warning, Zack lunged at them, and the fight was on. Aria and Zane fought back fiercely, but was was quick and relentless. In the chaos, Aria took a hit to her arm, wincing in pain as Zack's knife left a deep cut.
Seeing Aria injured, Zane's eyes flashed orange with anger. Unable to control himself Zane let out a growl, he transformed into his wolf form, his powerful frame towering over Zack.
Zack stumbled back, clearly taken aback. "What the—"
Using the element of surprise, Zane attacked, his movements swift and deadly. Aria,
Was unable to move. She was in shock as she watched Zane tear Zack apart limb from limb. She had never seen anything like this before. A man turn into a wolf. A wolf kill another man. It was unsettling.
As the dust settled, and Zane calmed, he turned to look at Aria who sat against a wall holding her arm and staring at him. Zane covered in blood, shifted back to his human form, breathing heavily. Aria only continued to look at him, her eyes wide with shock. "What are you?" She asked him.
"A wolf," Zane said "no a werewolf" he corrected, his expression serious. "I didn't want you to find out, at least… not like this,"
Aria just stared at him, still processing what had just happened. "Thank you. For saving me." Was all she could say.
Zane gave her a small, tired smile. "We're a team now. We look out for each other.
Aria took a deep breath, then carefully stood up. She slowly walked to the locked door and placed her hand on it before turning to Zane. "What else can you do?"
"Do you mean to ask can I get through the door?" He asked her. She only stared at him. Aria moved out of his way as Zane walked to the door. Suddenly he punched it. "Ow" he said shaking his hand and backing away. "Are you alright?" Aria said slightly concerned.
"Yeah" Zane said turning to the door. "Whatever that's made of I can't get through it" he told her. "Great" aria said. "So we're stuck in a freezing cold factory in Russia with no way out and a body" she said mainly to herself. "Just perfect" she added as she sat back down against the wall.