Chapter 96

Fiona

I noticed almost immediately that there was something different about Ethan, but I didn’t expect the wolf to take over Ethan’s body. Did he think Chris was going to take me away?

I mean, for a second, I thought Chris wouldn’t let go. It freaked me out how Chris grabbed me and got so close. We knew each other years ago, but we’ve only met twice since we reconnected and talked a handful of times. The behavior he exhibited was different than the kind, happy man I remembered.

“I am,” Ethan… the wolf rumbles, rubbing his nose up the column of my neck again. He inhales, his hands gripping my waist firmly enough to keep me in place but not to hurt me. “Why was he touching you?”

My brain short circuits as a shiver runs down my spine, but it’s a good shiver. It’s not the slightly terrified one I’d felt when Chris had touched me.

“Hmmm?” he rumbles again.

Another shiver hits me, this time sending a pulse of warmth through my body.

“I… he wanted to go out, and when I said I couldn’t go with him. I guess he didn’t like that, so he grabbed my hands and was trying to convince me when you got here,” I tell him. Honestly, when I saw Ethan in the doorway, relief was the first thing I felt.

Yes, Chris was my friend but that didn’t mean he could touch me when he wanted. It was uncomfortable and strange.

“We’re just friends, though,” I tell him, not finding much emotion in my own words. “He didn’t mean to upset anyone, I’m sure. Maybe he’s just stressed about work and didn’t realize—"

Ethan’s wolf growls, his eyes meeting mine. The glowing gold color is so vibrant and beautiful it makes me gasp.

“Don’t make excuses for that filth, Fiona,” he chuffs angrily. I notice the tick in his jaw as it clenches, but without him telling me, I know he’s not angry at me. “He doesn’t get to touch you whenever he wants.”

As he says this, his thumbs brush back and forth softly on my waist. I don’t think he realizes he’s doing it, which has me biting back a small smile. The wolf hasn’t let go of me since he stepped in between me and Chris, but if I’m telling the truth, I don’t mind. I’ve missed Ethan’s touch.

I know he’s right, too. Chris shouldn’t have touched me without permission. The pushy behavior was unexpected and unprofessional, but I also don’t think it would’ve been something I liked if we weren’t at work.

I like Chris as a friend, but not as anything more. Then there’s the fact that he blatantly ignored me when I said I liked Ethan.

“You shouldn’t speak with him anymore,” the wolf says, bringing my attention back to him by tilting my chin up. I didn’t even realize I’d lowered my head and closed my eyes. He’s just so comfortable that it’s easy to let my guard down and relax.

Except, these words send a shot of annoyance and independence through me.

“I can talk to whoever I want,” I retort, narrowing my eyes and pursing my lips at him to make my point. He chuckles, the deep raspy sound making my core clench. His fingers come up, cupping my cheek as a deep vibrating growl shakes his body.

“Not if he wants you,” the wolf states. The vibrations sink into my body, and heat pools between my legs.

Oh boy.

The hand on my cheek slides to the back of my neck, pulling me closer.

“You’re my mate, Fiona. He doesn’t get to take what’s mine.”

My body jolts at his words, a tingle of pleasure spreading from within me. I have to bite my lip to hold in the moan that threatens to come out, and I try to push down the fluttering feeling inside. It mixes with the hurt and confusion that also pulse through me.

How can he make a claim like that if he’s going to marry someone else?

He can’t have it both ways. It’s either me or her, and he has more to gain and less to lose if he’s with her.

Closing my eyes, I pull back. Unlike Chris, the wolf lets me pull away. His fingers linger for a moment, but when I peer up at him with pleading eyes, he releases me.

The soft touch disappears, and I’d give anything to keep it. To keep him.

I shouldn’t get more attached to him, though. If I’m going to leave to save myself, I can’t let him pull me back in no matter how much I want him to.

His eyes ask me to trust him, the soft, yearning glint promising comfort, but I take a few more steps away. I can’t.

As if he can read my mind, the wolf speaks, “I do not want that woman.”

I lift my eyes to him again.

“But your pack…”

“I do not like Angela, but I can’t call off the marriage proposal yet,” he tells me, shoving the knife deeper into my chest. If it’s pushed in any further, it’ll disappear. Then, no one will be able to extricate it, not even me.

The hurt I feel makes my lungs clench and it becomes harder to breathe. I have to get out of here- need to get out of here.

Turning, I only get two steps away before a hand circles my wrist. I’m pulled back into a warm chest, and I have to squeeze my eyes closed and bite my tongue to keep from begging him not to let go.

“Do you trust me?” The purr in his voice sends goosebumps across my arms.

“I want to,” I say on a barely audible whisper.

The wolf purrs again, the vibrations and the soft sound somehow relaxing me and clearing my head a bit.

“I will find a way to stop this marriage, Fiona. I will have no other mate than you.”

His words hurt because I don’t know if his claim will come true. Can he fight against his entire pack, his family, and the Lycan world just for me?

I haven’t known Ethan or his wolf for long, but I care about them. I might even lo— I shake my head to get rid of the thought.

He’s important to me, but I can’t imagine making him turn against everyone else in his life. Staying around with only a thin shred of hope will just bring more pain later, so I pull away from the wolf.

His arms fall from me with a soft swish, but I don’t look back at him. If I do, I’ll throw my arms around him and ask him to do just what he’s saying he will. I can’t put him through that.

Unfortunately, I know what it feels like to lose your family. They may have treated me like dirt, but they were the people I loved, and losing them was the worst feeling… or at least I thought it was until I realized I’ll lose Ethan.

Ethan shouldn’t have to feel that pain if he can choose to avoid it.

Tearing his entire world apart by forcing people away is something I can’t allow him to do.

Besides, when push comes to shove, Ethan will see the alliance between their Packs as more important. He will take the situation in and see that the safety of many will outweigh the happiness of two.

I force my feet to move, feeling the pain grow with each step I take away from Ethan and his wolf, but I must do this.

For both of us.