Complicated
His words left a cold trail along my skin. Something overwhelmed me but I couldn’t tell what exactly. Fear? Anticipation for a better yet dangerous life? Or something else entirely?
“That’s... a lot to take in,” I muttered.
“I know,” he cooed. “I don’t expect you to understand everything right away. But I still need you to understand the gravity of the life you may be living from now.”
My hand moved lower to the back of his head, and he leaned into my touch. It was hard to measure the said seriousness of the situation when he felt so warm against my palm.
Whatever this bond was, it was changing me in ways I couldn’t yet comprehend and to say I was scared would be an understatement. Yet being with Ethan made me feel like I could take anything on. I had never felt that before.
His words felt too sincere to ignore. Had he in a way just expressed he was also hoping we could be something? Should I ask him?
I hesitated for a bit as my hand gently combined through his mane. His words weighed heavy in my mind, and I couldn’t help the question that slipped out. “Does this count as a confession?”
I couldn't see his expression but could somehow feel him smiling.“Only if you want it to be.”
I narrowed my eyes at him, the ambiguity of his response twisting my thoughts into knots. “That’s not exactly clear.”
He let out a low chuckle, the sound teasing and deliciously delightful to hear. It was low and almost comforting. It could be the first time I'd heard him laugh. I thought.
“You don’t have to think so hard about it. Not right now. Don’t think about any of this if it’s too much.” His voice lowered further as he added, “Just think about yourself, Harlyn. Think about what you need and I’ll make sure you have the room to figure that out. I'll keep you safe.”
He sounded so sure of himself yet all I could do was stare at him. I couldn't muster a response but something about his tone made me nod instinctively. The tension between us didn’t fully dissipate, but it dulled, leaving an odd relaxing air in its place.
I let out a slow breath, as I adjusted slightly beneath him. We let the silence of the night stretch on and eventually the rhythm of his breathing evened out. His body sank further into mine. I guessed his exhaustion caught up with him.
It was awkward but I stayed. It really looked like he needed comfort. I wasn’t sure how long it took for me to drift off, but with the warmth of his presence, It wasn't long till I felt my own eyes growing heavy.
Whatever questions I had to ask would have to wait. I thought as I let sleep claim me too.
I woke to the sound of the drawers opening. I groaned, blinking groggily against the soft morning light filtering through unfamiliar open curtains.
Ethan stood by the dresser,wearing nothing but a pair of pleated pants and shoes. His broad back turned toward me, exposed knife wounds.
I groaned again, covering my face with my hands. "Why is it that I can’t ever seem to catch you fully dressed?"
I dropped my hands in time to catch him glance over his shoulder. A sly smirk tugged at his lips. "Are you complaining, or is that your way of flirting?"
I bolted upright, heat rushing to my face. "W-what? No! Why would I…who flirts like that?"
Ethan snickered, turning slightly as he pulled a shirt over his head. Butterflies raged in my gut like horses in fields. I like his laugh.
"I don’t know. Maybe someone who likes what they see?" He teased.
My lips parted slightly. “False,” I countered, sinking back against the pillows, though a smile tugged at the corners of my mouth.
“You’re smiling,” he said, pointing out the obvious, and I immediately wiped the expression off my face.
“No, I’m not,” I shot back defensively.
Ethan just shook his head and laughed. Somehow, his surprising playfulness was infectious, and I found myself relaxing in his presence more than I thought possible.
Before I could respond with another retort, a knock came at the door. Ethan’s expression switched almost instantly, his easy smile replaced with a more neutral look. “Come in.” His tone dropped octaves lower.
Abigail stepped inside in an all-black dress that draped down her figure like water. A gold chain sat on her waist with a cropped fur jacket on her shoulders. She looked breathtaking. She came to wake him up in that?
Her gaze swept over the room before landing on Ethan. My stomach twisted slightly, a flicker of self-consciousness taking hold. I forgot! Abigail probably liked Ethan. She wouldn't like me being in his room. Or so I thought.
I couldn’t really see any inkling of displeasure on her face. Her expression was as calm and unreadable as ever.
"The preparations for the meeting are complete," she said evenly.
Ethan nodded, walking toward her. "Lovely. Thank you, Abigail." He paused, then glanced at me. “Why don’t you take Harlyn out to get some new clothes? She will be needing more than she brought.”
Abigail's eyes widened in catatonic stupor, and so did my expression mirror hers.
"What? I don’t need—" I began before Ethan cut me off.
"Anything you want. No limits." He said, walking over to Abigail and slipping a slick black card into her hand. Without missing a beat, she casually snatched the card from him.
I couldn’t help but notice the bored expression that was now plastered on her face like she would rather attend her own funeral than go shopping with me.
My gaze shifted to Ethan as he spun to face me. I waited for the part where he would laugh at my face and say he was joking, but it never came. He was completely serious. "I can’t just," I paused, struggling to find my words. “Spend your money.“
He crouched slightly to meet my eyes, his nose wrinkling. I caught a whiff of his perfume and my cheeks flushed. “Consider it part of your necessary duties as a pack member. It's just right for you to be presented at your possible best. I have the tools so I must provide them as an Alpha should.”
"Duties?" I repeated, raising an eyebrow.
"Precisely.” He shrugged. “Besides, I want you to feel comfortable here. Think of it as me making up for all the crap you’ve had to deal with.”
I hesitated, biting my lip. It was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. I would be utterly foolish not to take it. I finally relented with a sigh. "Fine.“
Ethan grinned, standing up straight. "Good girl.“
Abigail gave a curt nod, motioning for me to follow her. I rushed out of the bed eager to get the day started. I couldn’t resist glancing back at Ethan.
I was slightly startled when he caught my gaze and smirked. "Let’s try to keep the awkward flirting to a minimum, shall we, Harlyn?”
I groaned, shoving past Abigail with a mutter, "It wasn't flirting!" Ugh, he was being such a boy!
I stepped into the hallway, smiling again. Something about him made the tension in my chest feel lighter, and I couldn’t decide if that was a good thing or not.
The door closed behind us and I paused realizing I needed to wait for Abigail. She finally reached my side but her usually calm demeanor had shifted slightly.
I felt the tension returning. She and I would be alone and if she truly liked Ethan, she just got the perfect opportunity to mess with me. I braced myself for it before glancing her way but her gaze was already on me, and I suddenly felt like a deer caught in headlights.
Her lips were curled into a dark, mischievous smile. "So," Abigail began, her tone laced with amusement, "you’ve got him smiling now."
I wrinkled my forehead, utterly thrown off guard by the statement. What was she playing at? "What?"
"Ethan," she clarified, her smile deepening. "He was smiling there. That’s… rare."