Chapter 201

Fiona

I lean back into Ethan when his arms wrap around my waist as I flip the last pancake. His lips brush my neck, and I have to bite my lip to keep from moaning as tingles zip through me.

Since we’ve made up, Ethan can’t seem to keep his hands off me. Anytime he’s close, he touches me in some way, just like he is now. Small kisses, rubbing his nose up my neck, squeezing my hip, holding my hand, touching my waist; he never misses a chance.

“Breakfast is almost done,” I tell him, looking back over my shoulder. “Will you grab the plates and glasses?”

“Of course.” Ethan quickly grabs plates for me to put the pancakes and bacon on before grabbing a carton of orange juice and two cups. We both make our way to the table in his kitchen and just as we take a seat, a voice calls out.

“Ethan, honey! We heard the news!”

Before either of us can move, Ethan’s parents come around the corner. Almost instantly, their happy smiles drop to looks of shock then disgust when they see me. I don’t feel any joy of seeing them either, but I don’t let it blatantly show on my face.

“What is she doing here?” Ethan’s father snarls. “Humans are not allowed in my home.”

“Good thing this isn’t you home, then,” Ethan growls back, moving between us. He shields me from his parents, something I’d wanted him to do when I first met them.

Instinctively, I lay a hand against Ethan’s back. No matter how much I don’t like his parents, I don’t really want them to fight.

“She does not belong here, Ethan,” his mother says, her tone sharp and annoyed. “The last thing you need now that you are about to be King is a human hanging around. It is more vital than ever for you to mate with a strong Lycan female. How could you think this human would be a good Luna or a Queen?”

Gritting my teeth, I also curl my fingers in the back of Ethan’s shirt. His back tenses beneath my fingers, either from me touching him or from their words. My bet, though, is on their words.

“No human could be good enough to be the Lycan Queen,” Ethan’s father barks. Do they not care that I’m right here? How could they so openly judge someone they don’t even know?

“She isn’t welcome here, and the King, once he finds out, will never accept her as your equal. He will know this is not right and will resend his invitation to take the throne,” his mother rants, and when I look around Ethan’s arm, she’s glaring straight at me.

I take it back. Maybe I should let him fight with them. They have no decency at all. It’s ridiculous that they think I can’t do something when, again, they don’t know me.

“This is no longer your choice,” Ethan snaps back, stepping forward. “Fiona is my mate, and I will not abandon her. She is welcome here, in my home, because it will be her home. You have no right to deny her or question her like this.”

My heart thuds faster in my chest at his words, and it grows faster as he continues to stand up for me.

“Fiona is an amazing woman,” Ethan says, reaching back to me. His arm wraps around my waist and pulls me up to his side, confidently standing against his parents for me. “She is smart, kind, and resourceful, which she has shown in her dedication to save my life while learning Lycan herbalism in less than two weeks. Her compassion and care for other people is what makes her exactly the kind of person who would be a good Luna or Queen.”

His arm tightens around my waist as his eyes narrow on his parents.

“And I love Fiona. Nothing you say or do will stop us from being together because she is mine!”

Ethan’s parents flinch at his hard tone. I look between the three of them, realizing Ethan is fighting against the main authority in his life. For me. In this moment, the nasty words from his parents roll right off my shoulders and to the floor.

“Your mate loves you,” the woman’s voice whispers.

Ethan’s acceptance of our love means more to me than his parents’ hate.

“You can either accept Fiona or leave. It’s your choice,” Ethan tells them, making me look up. Would he really kick his parents out for me? I want to tell him not to do that, but I also want them to realize how serious he is. “I won’t tolerate anyone hurting my mate anymore.”

Ethan’s mother’s mouth drops open with a gasp as she turns to her husband. He looks just as shocked but then anger takes over and he clenches his fists.

“Out!” Ethan orders when they go to protest again.

In a huff of anger, the angry couple turns and storms out of the house. The door slams shut behind them, making me jump at the loud sound. Ethan doesn’t move, though. Instead, he turns, wraps his arms around me, and lifts me. My legs immediately circle his waist as I hold onto him.

“Are you alright?”

Nodding, I lean in and kiss his lips, murmuring, “I’m fine. Thank you for standing up for me.”

“Anytime. You’re my mate, and I love you,” he says, resting his forehead to mine. I bite my bottom lip, wanting to hear him say those words over and over and over. Honestly, I don’t think I’ll ever get tired of him saying he loves me.

“Want to go for a run with me?”

His question catches me off guard, and still, I nod. Running doesn’t sound fun, but if it gets me more alone time with Ethan, I will go with him. Besides, he’ll probably run while I walk around, and the fresh air will be good for me. I feel like I’ve been cooped up the past few days, and it would be nice to go out.

Ethan sets me down on the floor before taking my hand and leading me outside. I follow him out the door, down the steps, and to the grass. Once we reach the grass, Ethan jogs several feet ahead and shifts, stretching out his wolf form.

“Zev!” I run over to him, throwing my arms around his neck. He’s so large that I don’t even need to bend down to hug him. A rumbly bark comes from Zev just before he dips his head and rubs it along my chest and neck.

“Okay, okay!” I laugh, kissing the top of his head. “I missed you too.”

At my words, his golden eyes glow brighter, and he barks. Jumping away, he spins in a circle and puts his pack toward me while jerking his head back. It’s a weird movement that he does a second time when I don’t move.

“You… want me to climb on?” I ask, unsure. It’s a bit odd, but again, he nods and jerks his head toward his back. I mean, he’s large enough that I could comfortably sit on his back, that’s for sure, but it worries me. I don’t want to hurt him or fall off and get hurt.

“Trust your mate,” a female voice whispers. I do trust Ethan, and Zev, so I climb onto his back and allow him to run me off into the forest.