Chapter 33
The Next Day-Evening
“He has my size down to a science,” I say to myself as I strap on the new pointers Ethan purchased for me. Adjusting my tutu, I prepared myself for what I hoped would prove to be a great experience. It was weird being in the manor after all this time, and without Ansel it somehow felt cold. But here I was, and I had to say that Maggie and Joy were right. This was the perfect place to hopefully get my confidence back.
I glance over at the piano and then shake my head. “Don’t think about that today, Karin,” I will myself. “You need to focus.” It was easier said than done with that piano reminding me of the time that Ansel and I rehashed old memories. Flexing my feet, I’m relieved that there is no pain, especially since the shoes are brand new.
“Karin, are you in here?” Ethan says in the doorway.
“Yes. Come on in.” He enters and his mouth immediately drops to the floor. “I take it this wasn’t what you were expecting.”
“Not at all, but it is definitely a pleasant surprise,” he replies, grinning. “You look beautiful.”
“Thank you. Hopefully I’m just as graceful and not flopping around this room like a penguin.”
“A penguin?” he asked with his eyebrow arched.
“It was the first thing I thought of, but I stand by it.”
“I’m afraid and also intrigued imagining you as a penguin.”
I jokingly waddle with my arms to my sides, and he belts a laugh. “Should I make the sound too?”
“Please don’t,” he said with a gleam in his eyes. “I could never look at you without automatically thinking about it.” We share a laugh as he walks further inside the room. His smile is as bright and infectious as it usually is, and I can’t help but smile, too.
“Alright, no more stalling,” Ethan says, clapping his hands together. “Let’s see what you got.”
“Well how about you stop giving me a hard time and hit play on the speaker, Mr. Bossy?”
He playfully scowls at me and hits the button on the speaker.
I smile at the adorable look of shock on his face. “Swan Lake,” he whispers, and I nod.
“It seemed only fitting.”
ANSEL POV
“You’re back early, sir,” the butler says as Ansel entered the mansion. “We weren’t expecting you until sometime next week.”
Removing his coat, Ansel handed it to him. “Yes, I expected to be, but we eradicated the nuisance rather quickly. I offered to play soccer with the criminals, but when they saw the ball was their friend’s head, they took off running rather suddenly.” He folded his arms over his chest. “I have no idea why it spooked them so badly when I told them beforehand, I was going to do it. Don’t you hate it when people don’t believe your threats?” The butler nervously laughed, and Ansel eyed him. “What’s going on with you? I’ve seen you frequently stifle laughter from my stories.”
“S-sorry, sir. I’m just feeling a little under the weather.”
“Really? Well if you’re sick, please take the needed time to yourself. I’ve told you and the other staff plenty of times that if it is something personal happening all you need to do is let me know you need time off and I will make temporary arrangements.”
“Yes, I know. I don’t need to take any time off, thank you.”
Ansel squinted his eyes. “You are keeping something from me. Has Cherry been back at the manor?”
“No sir,” the butler said speedily. “It’s just…”
From his peripherals, Ansel could see Maggie tiptoeing past him. “Stop right there,” he demanded, and she instantly stilled. Beckoning her, he placed his hand under his chin when she stood in front of him. “Hello Maggie,” he said.
“H-hello Sir,” she replied, not looking at him. “It’s great to see that you’ve returned safely.”
“Really? Then why were you attempting to sneak past me?”
“W-who me?”
“Mhm. So I’ll ask you both again, what is going on?” Both folded their lips to keep their secret, but the sound of music coming down the hall caught his attention anyway. He looked past Maggie towards the ballroom. “Excuse me.” Maggie started to protest, but the hardening of his face kept her silent. Walking towards the ballroom, he picked up Karin’s scent and instantly got a sinking feeling.
“Something tells me that whatever I’m about to see is going to piss me off,” he said to Jeff.
“Piss US off,” Jeff replied.
Reaching the ballroom, Ansel tilted his head at the scene in front of him. He listened to Karin and Ethan’s conversation.
“Is this how you remember me?” Karin asked Ethan as she cautiously began to dance.
He beamed. “Well I mean I was twelve, and you were like what, ten? So maybe not so much, but I can say this is better,” He smirked at her. “Though I don’t recall you being so careful in your dancing. If anything, you were the bravest out there.”
“Don’t tease me, I’m doing my best here,” she said, rolling her eyes playfully.
He chuckled. “I wouldn’t dream of it.”
Ansel's nostrils flared and his jaw tightened.
Seems the doctor has been doing more than helping Karin to rehabilitate.
The more he watched them and listened to their playful banter, the more his anger grew. It was obvious that Karin and Ethan knew one another before he arrived to look after her, but why hadn’t she told him? He didn’t like it; another man having an unknown connection to his mate made him sick.
Hitting every mark perfectly as she danced, Ethan beamed at her and clapped loudly. “Bravo! Bravo!” he shouted, making her laugh. Standing, he caught Karin in mid twirl. “How about a clumsy duo?” he said, and she nodded.
Ansel watched as Ethan placed his hand on the small of her back and pressed her body against his. Clenching his fists, he felt Jeff come to the surface.
“He’s touching our mate,” Jeff raged inside of him, and Ansel almost began to shift.
“I’m going to rip his fucking head off.” His body hunched, and his claws extended as he continued to watch them.
Karin placed her nose in the air, inhaled, and froze. Turning, she spotted Ansel, and her face turned as white as a sheet. She tumbled to the ground, and Ansel could hear her ankle snap. She wailed in agony, causing Ansel’s anger to momentarily subside. Moving towards her, he stopped when Ethan bent down and grabbed her. He rubbed her ankle, and Ansel felt his fury bubble over. Karin’s eyes locked on his. Ansel gave her a look so cold she shuddered, and he turned and walked away.
