Fractured Calm
Dressed in the same dark bodysuit as Caleb, Ethan stood in the center of the room with an air of composed authority as he adjusted his digital wristband. His hair had been trimmed shorter and he seemed to have gained mass in some way.
What had he been doing? Why was he here in particular? His presence was an instant, unwelcome disruption to the fragile sense of calm I had built over the past weeks.
I immediately stiffened, my fingers curled into my palms as I stopped in my tracks and my lips curled in distaste.
Caleb, for his part, didn’t seem surprised. He merely gave Ethan a curt nod before turning to me. “I’ll leave you two to it.”
He was in on it, of course. I scowled but said nothing, watching as Caleb exited the room, leaving me alone with the one person I least wanted to see.
Ethan finally looked up to meet my eyes, my heart pulsed with gentle tremors. It only irritated me further. I hadn't seen him in so long and all he was doing was staring.
He seemed to be studying me with an expression I can't pinpoint, his eyes darkened and turned sharp as they flickered over me. “We need to talk.”
“Do we?” My tone was flat and cold.
His gaze didn’t waver. “Yes. But first—” He took a step back, rolling his shoulders as he settled into a loose stance. “Brace yourself.”
I blinked, my brows drawing together. “Brace myself for what—”
The air shifted before I could finish my sentence, a whooshing sound cutting sharply. I barely had time to react before he lunged.
My body pulsed in an instant and my instincts kicked in. I threw myself to the side, narrowly dodging the strike aimed at my ribs. My feet barely had time to steady before he was on me again, his movements precise, and controlled.
Was he trying to swing at ME?
I gritted my teeth and raised my arms, blocking the next blow just in time. The force sent a jarring vibration up my forearm. He was obviously holding back, but it still stung.
“What the hell is wrong with you?” I snapped, stepping back to put space between us.
“Don't let your emotions cloud your reactions.” He circled me, his tone as calm as ever. “I need to see how much control you actually have.”
I huffed, shifting into a defensive stance, my arms held out stiffly as I shuffled on my feet. I hadn't seen him in two weeks and the first thing he did was swing at me.
His demeanor had my anger curling hot in my gut. “So this is your idea of a conversation?”
“I couldn't call you.” He struck again, this time sweeping a kick toward my legs. I jumped back, my heart thrumming against my chest, hot and paced.
“Not that I would have picked up anyway. I don’t recall having anything to say to you,” I shot back, barely dodging another attack.
Ethan exhaled sharply with a small smile, his eyes momentarily dazzling. “You’ve made progress.”
What was he perking up for? I scowled. “You wouldn’t know.”
“I would,” he countered, moving with fluid precision. “I’ve been watching.”
A sharp breath lodged in my throat. The realization sent another rush of irritation through me. “Watching?” My voice was laced with disbelief. “So instead of actually speaking to me, you’ve been playing in the shadows like some creepy overseer?”
He didn’t respond immediately. Instead, he pivoted keenly, feinting left before landing a blow against my shoulder. I staggered back, my soles scratching up dirt harshly. Dust danced in the room.
I coughed out, my breath catching as frustration sparked under my skin. “That fucking hurt!“ I said icily.
A chill crackled at my fingertips. My body grew searing hot yet I felt a force of cold running down my bones. I was about to lose it but I didn't want to give him the satisfaction of being right.
I clenched my fists, forcing myself to exhale deeply.
Ethan’s gaze flickered downward, seemingly picking on the telltale shimmer of frost forming against the skin of my hands. “You’re still reacting instead of controlling.”
“Maybe because I don’t like being ambushed.” My voice came out more scathing than I intended.
Ethan stepped back slightly, tilting his head. “Your anger makes you reckless.”
I huffed out harshly. “No, you're making me reckless.”
For a moment, the silence stretched taut between us, swollen with the things I wanted to get out of my chest.
He continued to pry at me with his squinted eyes while maintaining his aloof expression. “Is that why you're so mad at me?”
I scoffed. “Why would I be?” A bitter laugh left my lips. “Surely it can't be because you dropped an existential bomb on me and then disappeared for two weeks.”
Something in his jaw tightened. “I gave you time.“
“You gave me silence.” I corrected, with a glare.
His lips pressed into a thin line. “You needed space to process the truth.”
“What silly truth?” A humorless laugh slipped from my mouth. “You mean your version of it? The one where my parents aren't mine?“
His expression darkened slightly. “Why exactly are you so aggravated? That I said what I said or that I left?“ He suddenly asked.
“Why would I care if you leave or not?“ I shuffled back, folding my hands against my chest. What a ridiculous thing to ask.
I took a steadying breath, my chest heaving. “You don’t get to decide what I need or not.“
Ethan exhaled through his nose. “I don't, but you do need it. You need the training, you need the safety I bring, and you need to learn control, Harlyn.“
I bit down my jaw. He wasn’t wrong and that aggravated me further. I hated that he was the one who gave me the truth I needed, even when I didn’t like what I heard.
And I hated that, despite every reason I had to be upset with him, I found myself missing him a lot which only served to confuse me more. He gave me the clarity I needed and then he just left.
I came to know the real situation that tied us together and despite wanting to believe he was my second chance at a mate, I knew what I truly was to him, an uncomfortable burden. Why else would he leave like that?
Ethan stepped back before resuming his stance to lunge at me. “Again.”