Chapter 113

Fiona

“Where are we going?” I ask for what feels like the millionth time. We’ve been driving for almost an hour, and not knowing is going to drive me crazy. So, I grab his arm, shaking it as Ethan turns onto another unknown road.

“Come on, please tell me,” I beg, my eyes bouncing from him to the road. I thought we were going back to his place, but after the first ten minutes of driving, he had turned onto a road that went in the opposite direction of his and Isla’s houses. We were clearly not going home, and now, an hour later, he still won’t give in.

“Not yet,” he answers shortly. I mock growl at him, trying to sound like him when he growls, but it comes out like a little puppy whining, which makes Ethan laugh.

It’s not funny, though, and I sit back with my arms crossed over my chest.

My nerves buzz like bees in my stomach, while at the same time, my heart jumps with excitement. I can’t remember the last time someone surprised me with a gift, and here Ethan is, keeping his lips sealed tighter than a vault.

“I might die if you don’t tell me,” I groan dramatically, letting my head fall back on my seat. “I can’t handle surprises. Have I ever told you that?” He shakes his head no, and I squeeze my eyes closed.

“Don’t worry, Fiona. This will be a good surprise,” he says, linking our hands and bringing mine up to his lips.

“Good or bad, I need to know, Ethan,” I say with a pout. “Can’t you just give me a hint or a clue on where we’re going?”

He chuckles, pressing another kiss to my hand. I groan again and focus my eyes on the front window when I realize he won’t tell me anything.

The radio plays softly as we pass buildings, going south. The buildings grow scarcer the further we go, but soon, Ethan pulls into the parking lot of the airport.

“What’s going on? Are you leaving again?” I ask, looking to Ethan. Was this the surprise he wanted to show me?

“No, we’re leaving,” he responds, confusing me even more. Leaving to where? My heart skips a beat and I whip my head around to him.

“Are we going to… to your pack?” He wouldn’t take me there while he’s still fighting against his marriage, would he? Are we about to go to his parents to demand the marriage be stopped together?

I swallow the unease clawing at my chest, and Ethna grabs my hands, noticing my nerves. He gently squeezes my hands, rubbing soothing circles along the backs of my hands. It helps calm me a bit, but I can still hear my heart thundering in my head.

“No, Fiona. Calm down. I’m not taking you to my pack yet,” he murmurs, leaning in to look me in the eyes. I’ve noticed he does that when he wants me to pay close attention to what he’s saying, so I try to push through the loud beating of my heart and focus on him.

I nod, letting him know he can continue, and he explains, “I wanted to celebrate your divorce but also take you away so we could have time alone. There’s so much going on with my parents, the marriage, and between us that we haven’t been able to relax with one another. So, I booked a weeklong island vacation where we can be together with no interruptions or stress.”

The whirlwind in my mind stops, and I look up at Ethan.

“A vacation?” I ask, surprised. This is the last thing I expected Ethan to say, and it’s another surprise that he wants to cut us off completely from the trouble here at home.

“Just us alone together,” he says with a nod.

Affection fills me, and I lean in, taking his face in my hands and kissing him. The kiss is short because a knock on the window breaks us apart. I jump back, my eyes swinging to Ethan’s window and finding Ryan standing there.

Ethan waves him off, and Ryan nods, taking a few steps back.

“We’re going to a southern island where we can spend time quietly together without any worries. It’s a small island with very few tourists, so we’ll have plenty of space and time to relax without other people bothering us. So, Fiona, do you want to come with me?” Ethan asks, and I freeze. It didn’t occur to me that he’d ask. I thought he would only demand I go with him, which I would’ve quickly accepted. Going on a romantic vacation with the man I’m falling for?

Yes, please. Sign me up.

“Is it okay for you to leave everything behind when you’re in charge of the company and the pack? I don’t want you getting in trouble or losing your position just for a vacation,” I acknowledge, knowing that everything he’s built and maintains is incredibly important to him. If he loses that because of me, I’d be devastated.

Another idea wiggles its filthy way into my mind.

This could be the last thing we do together as a couple if this marriage isn’t stopped. If everything goes downhill from here, either because of the forced marriage or the fact that he left with a human, I want to have this moment with Ethan.

I’ll cherish whatever time we have left together.

“Ryan will take over while I’m gone, and it’s just a week, Fiona,” he says, smiling as he kisses my hand. “Besides, I haven’t taken a vacation in years, so this will be a nice reprieve from work. Plus, I get to spend time with you. That alone is worth whatever trouble comes my way, so let me ask again, mate. Will you go with me?”

“Of course, I will,” I tell him, squeezing his hands to show him my confidence. I honestly don’t want anything else at this moment. This, being with him, is all I want.

“Then let’s go.”

I watch as Ethan climbs out of the car and walks around to my side, opening my door, helping me out, and taking my hand again. He leads me to where Ryan stands with three suitcases, and I smile.

“Hi, Ryan.” I offer a small wave then point at the bags. “Are those ours?”

“Alpha packed them before work this morning,” he answers with a nod and a warm smile. I glance down at the dress I’m wearing, and suddenly, it makes more sense. He gave me this dress while he was preparing for our trip. No wonder it’s more casual than my usual work outfits.

“Thank you for bringing them,” I tell Ryan, and again, he nods. Ethan passes the car key to Ryan before grabbing the bags and muttering something to Ryan.

With a final nod, Ryan walks back to the car and climbs in. Ethan leads the way into the building and to the private sector of the airport. I’ve never flown on a private plane before, but I’m also not surprised that he has access to one. He is rich, after all, even if I keep forgetting about it. I guess that’s also how he gets to and from the western region so quickly.

It makes sense.

Having only flown a few times, I follow Ethan through security, letting them check me before continuing through to the boarding area. There are hardly any people in the private sector, unlike the busy main area we had to bump our way through, and as soon as we get to the door, the attendant waves us through.

“Enjoy your flight. If you need anything at all, please call an attendant,” she says with a slight bow.

“Thank you,” Ethan and I both say, and I smile up at him. He offers his own soft smile, and I can’t help but think about how handsome he is. I may end up losing him soon, but I want to take this time to be with him while I can.

For now, he’s mine.