32.Dark revelations

Ethan Greenwood 

The silence between Mia and me was destroying me inside. I knew she was about to explode. Her mind must have been spinning with confusion and fear from everything she had discovered in the last few hours. When I mentioned the word "hybrid," I saw her eyes fill with tears, and the confusion was evident on her face. She still couldn’t accept what I was saying, and I didn’t blame her. It was a hard revelation to swallow. But I couldn’t hide it from her anymore. If she was one of us, she deserved to know. 

And now, with danger knocking at the door, I needed to protect her, even if she resisted. 

"You need to come to the forest," my voice finally broke the silence, perhaps harsher than I intended. "There won’t be another chance. They’re going to keep coming after you and Lorenzo. Out here, you’re vulnerable." 

Mia’s eyes narrowed, the stubbornness already showing in her stance. Of course, that was typical of her. Always trying to prove she could handle everything on her own. But this time, it wasn’t just about her. 

"Who are 'they'? Do you even know?" She crossed her arms, defiant. "You just told me I could be a werewolf or whatever. This is crazy, Ethan. I’m leaving with my son!" 

The pain in my chest grew at the mention of Lorenzo. She didn’t understand. She couldn’t just run away. I knew she was terrified, but running wasn’t an option. I wouldn’t let her. 

"You’re not going anywhere, Mia," I said firmly, not breaking eye contact. 

She glared at me, her anger rising, trying to keep control. "Lorenzo is my son. What are you going to do, Ethan? Your name isn’t even on his birth certificate as his father!" 

My patience wore thin. I grabbed her arm, maybe harder than I intended, but the thought of losing Mia and Lorenzo was unbearable. "Listen to me," my voice came out dark and low, filled with determination. "I’ll follow you to hell, Mia Miller." 

She stared at me, wide-eyed, frozen by the intensity of the moment. I stepped closer, feeling the weight of my own words. I never wanted to scare her, never wanted her to see me as a threat. But I needed her to understand. It wasn’t just about me. It was about protecting her. About protecting Lorenzo. 

Realizing I might have gone too far, I gently released her arm, trying to calm myself. "I didn’t mean to be harsh," I spoke more quietly, calmer. "But I can’t lose you. I won’t let them hurt you. I won’t let them take our son." 

Mia stayed silent, her breathing heavy, and for a moment, I didn’t know what would come next. She was still caught between anger and fear, but there was something deeper there. Something she might be starting to understand. 

She looked at me, and I saw the conflict in her eyes. She was tired of fighting, tired of resisting. Finally, she let out an exasperated sigh and turned her face away, not wanting to confront the reality before her. 

I knew there was still so much to be said. So much to clarify. But for now, I needed to convince her that staying was the only safe option. And I would do anything to protect her. 

Her face was unreadable and distant, and I knew last night had shaken both of us. 

"Last night..." I whispered. 

"I don’t want to talk about it anymore." she said firmly. 

What was I doing? Showing vulnerability to her? 

I couldn’t let Mia mess with my feelings. I hadn’t had feelings for a long time, and I was going to keep it that way. 

"You’re right," I said, cutting the cold air. "I was going to say that last night was a mistake. And it shouldn’t happen again. I want nothing to do with you." 

She looked at me, trying to process the facts. But from now on, I would be hard with this woman. 

"Pack your things, you’re going to live in the forest. There, you’ll be safe." 

In a way, she knew she couldn’t argue with me. 

I motioned to leave the office, but her sweet voice filled the room, stopping me. 

"Ethan," she murmured, looking at me. "I need to know… I need to know who I am, and why they’re after me, and why they kidnapped Lorenzo." 

"I don’t know exactly yet. But the man who took care of you your whole life wasn’t your biological father." 

"Why would they lie to me?" 

"Maybe to protect you from what’s happening now." 

"I don’t want to spend my life running, Ethan." A solitary tear slid down her cheek. "I need a normal life." 

"You won’t," I said, my voice steady. "I’ll help you figure everything out... But you’re mixed up with wolves, Mia. Your life will never be normal. We’re animals, we can’t escape that." I locked eyes with her, and she seemed scared. 

A thin layer of snow covered the vehicle. I was sitting in the driver’s seat, waiting for Mia to get in with Lorenzo. We were heading to the forest; it was the safest place if Mia wanted to stay alive. There, she’d be near my beta, the wolves, and my sister, who insisted on not living with us, as she always preferred the outdoors of Estes Park. 

The security guard helped her grab the bags and put them in the trunk. While Mia adjusted the car seat, she looked at me, Lorenzo nestled in her arms. 

"Can you hold him while I adjust the car seat?" 

"Of course," I said, raising my arms and holding the fragile child. 

I watched him. His features were identical to mine, his hair, his ocean blue eyes. He was perfect. I wasn’t good with kids, and I didn’t know how to be a father. 

My dad was never an example of a father to me. He only taught me to be cold, and that’s what I learned. 

Lorenzo smiled as he looked at his toy car, and I smiled back at him, stroking his soft hair. For a moment, I felt like I could try to be a good father to that innocent being who, in the future, would be my successor. 

She took him from my arms, and I pulled the handbrake. We needed to get there before nightfall.