Chapter 22

All Ethan can do in this moment is wait for Celia. He can watch the wheels turn inside her head from behind those beautiful eyes of hers. He will wait up until the day and time of the event for her answer because how likes her so much.

He’a always watched Celia from afar when she first joined the hospital as a medical intern. She was so nice and, despite being of lower ranks compared to the other noble she-wolves who were at her level, she persevered through the hardships and bullying they put her through.

He always knew that her work would shine through at the end of the day. Celia is massively talented and it is something that Ethan adores so much about her.

The first day they spoke, it was an accident. Ethan had accidentally bumped into Celia while leaving the break room. He had spilled his coffee all over her scrubs.

If it were any other wolf or noble Healer who worked at the hospital, he would have been ripped to shreds, yelled and screamed at inside the break room for being so reckless. Celia, though, laughed it off and told him that it was okay, that the scrubs she was wearing are easily replaceable and that it is not a big deal.

From the beginning, she has always been kind to him and others. Ethan just wishes that he can pay it back to her so she knows that there is someone out there who loves and adores her, someone who wants to take care of her.

Ethan looks down at Celia with big and hopeful eyes. She blinks at him, trying to process the question he just asked her. Celia diverts her gaze for a brief moment, which makes Ethan’s heart flutter with anticipation.

He knows to not expect much. She can say no and he will be quick to accept it. Ethan knows that her feelings lie with Soren despite him causing her such devastating heartbreak not even a few minutes ago.

How could she say yes to him anyways? It’s not like Ethan is the Alpha King like how Soren is. He holds no noble title or rank and instead works in his father’s hospital.

How can Ethan compete against an Alpha King?

Celia

Ethan’s offer is unexpected and yet there is no fanfare in my heart, no butterflies that erupt in my stomach nor are there any fireworks that are being set off in the back of my mind.

My body doesn’t react to Ethan or his offer like it does whenever Soren is around me. Whenever he looks at me, my body erupts into dramatics, always fawning over him and his handsome appearance, my heart beginning to race when he comes near.

Ethan, on the other hand, doesn’t make my heart race. He has always been a good friend to me and has been so dependable during our friendship. He has a kind and helpful soul that is admirable, really, and any woman would be so lucky to be his partner.

Me, though? I don’t think that’s me.

Lily has always pushed the idea of us getting together, always mentioning to me that Ethan has a crush on me and that he’s always looking at me. I never believed her, though, and dismissed it as friends just looking out for other friends. Nothing more, nothing less.

Ethan could be a good choice of a chosen mate, though. I know it may be a bit too early to be thinking about this, but the thought doesn’t leave my mind as I stand here, staring at him like my brain has completely stopped working.

Ethan is dependable. He is kind, caring, and always has a comforting smile on his face. I know that if I were to go to him with anything that is bothering me, that he would immediately know what to do and how to fix it.

He has helped me out many times in the past.

With times in the hospital where the she-wolf Healers have ganged up on me, he always stood up for me and told them that mu skill speaks for itself and that it does not matter that I don’t have a rank like them.

On other occasions, Ethan was there to help me get an advance on paychecks when my student loan and grandma’s medical bills became too much of a burden all at one time and when Soren’s allowance dried up. He accompanied me to the finance department and helped me explain why I needed the advance of the money.

With Ethan, there is no judgment. There is no constant overthinking about where I stand with him. He makes me feel safe, makes me feel very comfortable.

I do not have to hide who I am with him. I do not have to pretend to be someone else. I do not have to play as a doll that he can dress however he wants nor do I have to deal with the haunting thought that I am just a stand in until someone he deems worthy comes back into his life.

“Okay,” I breathe out. I bring my eyes back to his and place a small smile on my face. “I’ll go with you to the engagement party, Ethan.”

Ethan’s face immediately lights up. His once worried expression disappears, the creases and wrinkles in his face now disappearing. He claps his hands together, the sound shocking my body back to life, jolting awake.

“Really? Thank you so much, Celia!” Ethan’s voice is filled with nothing but joy and happiness.

The smile on my face grows, his infectious positive energy rubbing off on me. I laugh and take a step back, watching as he pulls out a medium sized envelope from his back pocket. I widen my eyes and look at the paper, noticing fancy cursive lettering and red wax seal that once held the envelop together.

Like the good doctor he is, Ethan pulls a pen from his shirt pocket and places the envelope against the door of the dressing room. I lean in my shoulder pressing into his.

“What are you doing?” I quietly ask. Ethan glances over at me, his hand flicking with ease across the cream colored paper.

“I am adding you as my plus once for the royal engagement party. It’s protocol. A formality, really. Whenever there is a noble event, everyone must say if they are coming and who their plus one is if they decide to bring one,” Ethan calmly explains to me.

I nod to myself, looking away for a brief moment. I step away and give him his space, gnawing at the inside of my cheek.

I should have known this, right? After all, I was Soren’s substitute lovers. He didn’t bring me to any noble or royal events, though, nor was I ever invited to any of them due to my wolf-less status.

It makes the stinging feeling from earlier come back to my eyes. This invitation is just a reminder that Soren has never seen me as his equal. He has only ever seen me as a hired lover, someone who temporarily filled in the empty spot Bianca left behind.

I blink away my forming tears just as Ethan turns around. I match the smile on his face and make sure my eyes squint with it, hiding the rest of the welled tears so he doesn’t become suspicious that something is wrong. He takes a step forward and places a hand on my shoulder.

“Thank you for agreeing to come with me. I…I really appreciate it, Celia. Let me buy the dress for you, yes? It’s the least I can do,” Ethan reaches inside the dressing room and pulls out the dress I once wore.

I weakly nod, a silent agreement, and follow him to the store’s counter where Lily stands. She winks at me and links her arm with mine, already whispering about how beautiful I’m going to look at the engagement party.