Chapter 161

Fiona

The soft yellow morning sunlight shines off the glass as I push it open. This is my only chance, my only option, for escape. Or that’s what I tell myself as I look over the ledge. If I try to go out the front, Ethan or the staff will stop me, but if I go out this way…

The drop shouldn’t be that bad. It’s only two stories. At most, I’d hurt my legs, but I should still be able to get away. I think I could make it before anyone notices.

So, I climb onto the windowsill and lower my butt to the ledge. It’s a beautiful view. The flowers are blooming in several vibrant colors, and the grass is bright green, a stark contrast to the black asphalt of the street beyond that calls my name.

Running is my only way to get out of here.

My stomach rolls, sending a wave of nausea spreading in my body.

But he’ll catch you, something inside me whispers. My mind goes back to the conversation Ethan and I had where he told me he’d be able to find me wherever I go, but I still have to try. I can’t just sit here and let him trap me.

I look down at the ground again. I’ve got to be at least fifteen feet above the ground.

A little sliver of fear wiggles its way into my chest, but I push it aside. If this is my only chance, I have to make the best of it.

“You can do this, Fiona,” I whisper, curling my fingers into the windowsill. “Just jump. Don’t worry about the pain or the fall. Don’t worry about anything until you’re out of here.”

“Ms. Bowen! Don’t do it!” A woman screams, pulling me from my little peptalk. I find her immediately. She’s coming out into the garden from the area that I think is the kitchen with her hands over her mouth as she screams. “Someone help!”

Several staff, decked out in their black and white uniforms, come pouring out of the doors. They all freeze when they see me, wide eyes watching me from the grass.

“FIONA!”

My head whips to the left, and I see him.

Ethan sprints toward me, his eyes flickering between green and gold as he yells for me. “Don’t jump! This isn’t the way to deal with—NO!”

My fingers slip, and I shriek as my body tilts forward. I try to grab at the window frame, but my fingers clasp around nothing. Air whips around me, my hair slapping me in the face as my body rushes toward the grass.

“ETHAN!” I scream, fear jolting my heart. If anyone can save me, it’s him, and I hate that because the loud thud of my heart and the rush of wind are the only things I can hear. It’s as if there’s nothing else around me except the roaring wind, and my only chance of getting out of this unharmed is for a man I’m angry at to help me.

Then, my body lurches, and I’m tumbling and rolling across the ground. Strong arms and a warm body surround me, protecting me from the impact. I cry out as my shoulder hits the ground, and that’s when I hear a grunt, a distinctly male grunt.

We eventually roll to a stop with Ethan hovering over me. His body surrounding mine and a hand cradles the back of my head.

“Are you crazy?! What were you thinking?” Ethan exclaims, pulling us both up. His eyes are still flickering between green and gold, showing his internal struggle. Those fascinating eyes scan my body, following his hands as he touches me in several sore places.

“I just wanted to get out,” I stutter, gasping for air and rubbing my shoulder. It aches, but I don’t think it’s injured. I think it would hurt more if it was.

Ethan snarls, but it’s not aimed at me. The longer we stare at each other, the clearer Ethan’s emotions become. He’s not angry. He’s scared.

“I thought… God, you scared the shit out of me,” Ethan groans, finally sitting back on his heels. “You shouldn’t jump out of windows, Fiona.” The accusatory tone rankles me, bunching up a load of irritation in my throat to where I almost feel like I’m choking.

“I only did that because you trapped me inside! If you’re going to keep me locked up, I will keep looking for ways to escape,” I tell him, scooting away. His hand clamps down on my ankle to keep me from getting away, which only serves to amp up my annoyance. “Don’t you understand that?”

Without a response, Ethan scoops me up. This time he’s more gentle than before, but I know the end result will be the same when he turns toward the house. He’ll take me back inside and lock me up, just like last night.

I hate that it’s so easy for him to control me.

I hate that I can’t fight back.

I hate it.

“Please let me go,” I beg. Maybe if I beg hard enough, he’ll feel bad and let me go. He doesn’t stop, though. I wiggle and try to get out of his hold, my irritation pooling within me, as he continues to march into the house and up the stairs.

“This is no way to win me over, Ethan. Keeping me locked up will only drive me further away,” I tell him, pushing at his arms.

Again, his hold doesn’t budge, and I curse his Lycan strength. If I had the same strength as Ethan, I’d be able to get away.

“I can’t lose you, Fiona. You’re the most important person in my life. It would literally kill me to lose you.”

I nearly laugh at the exaggeration, but I don’t. Nothing good would come from arguing with Ethan. None of our arguments have ended well so far, especially since they usually end with me not being heard.

And he wonders why I’m upset.

“Just…” Ethan sighs and sets me on my feet right inside the bedroom. “Just don’t put yourself in harms way again. I couldn’t bare losing you.”

I hum in response, shuffling over to the bed and laying down. If he expected more, too bad. Ethan tries to get my attention, but I turn over and close my eyes. I’m going to get out of here even if I have to sneak out in the middle of the night when everyone’s asleep. No matter what, I will escape and live my life free of men who want to control me.