36.Whatever it takes

Ethan

The night was dark and cold, and the air carried a sense of urgency as I walked through the forest toward the village. Amber had planted a doubt in my mind, but now my priority was to find Mia. I knew she was involved in something much bigger, something she didn’t even understand yet, and that made her vulnerable.

Each step I took felt heavier as my mind raced in multiple directions. What was Mia doing outside the safety of our territory? And why hadn’t she told me anything? I couldn’t deny that the thought of her being in danger only fueled my frustration. And, as always, my instinct was to act.

I hated being disrespected.

What Nick had told me earlier about the potion that Mia’s father kept, a dangerous curse disguised as a blessing. I knew that if those who were after her got what they wanted, it would mean chaos. She was the key to something much bigger, and maybe she didn’t even know that. Or maybe she knew more than she was letting on.

I followed her trail through the forest, focusing on her scent and the muffled sound of branches breaking in the distance. My inner wolf was on the edge of exploding, every muscle in my body tense, ready for whatever lay ahead.

As I walked, flashes of our last encounter passed through my mind, the way she challenged me, even though she didn’t know the truth about herself, about her past. I wanted her, but I kept my distance. I couldn’t let her into my life for real. Not in the way she deserved. 

As I advanced through the forest, heading towards Estes Park, I found a group of unfamiliar wolves prowling the area. They were searching for something... or someone. My instinct told me they were after Mia.

I approached stealthily, hiding and listening to their conversation.

“The boss wants the girl alive. She’s the key to finding what we’re looking for.” One of them whispered, clearly afraid of being heard.

“If we fail, we’re dead.” The other responded.

These wolves were from another pack. They didn’t belong in the area. They had come from far away, with one goal: Mia.

Without hesitation, I lunged at them before they could react. A fierce fight followed, teeth and claws on display. Blood was spilled, but the rage inside me didn’t subside. “What are you doing on my territory?” I grabbed one of them by the shirt.

“We were just hunting and got lost, that’s all,” he justified.

“Stop lying. I heard the conversation,” I released him. “I’m the Alpha, as you’ve realized. Go back and tell your boss, whoever he is, that if he tries to invade my territory again, I will find him.”

My anger was at its limit. I dropped the wolf to the ground, watching him fall like the worm he was, too weak to even get up. My blood boiled, and all I could think about was Mia, how she was in the middle of something she didn’t even understand. And the thought that someone would dare threaten my territory because of her, without me knowing, pushed me to the edge of losing control.

I transformed without hesitation. My wolf exploded with force, my muscles burning with urgency. Her scent was getting closer, and I ran, leaping through the trees, the muffled sound of paws crushing leaves and branches. I needed to find her, and fast. Every second that passed was another second she was vulnerable to those damn wolves, to any threat coming her way.

“Why the hell do you mess with me so much, Mia?” I thought, grinding my teeth as I ran.

When I finally spotted Mia, she was near a clearing, looking around. The fury inside me grew, and I couldn’t hold back anymore.

“MIA!” My voice came out more like a growl than a call.

She turned, her eyes wide with surprise, but before she could speak, I was already in front of her, my body still in transformation, between the wolf and the man. “Do you know the real danger you’re in?”

Mia took a step back, clearly scared by my aggressive approach, but I couldn’t hold back. Her fear wasn’t bigger than my need to protect her. “Why did you leave the territory? Without telling me? Without any protection?”

“I… I needed space, Ethan! I’m not a prisoner here!” She shouted back, which only made me explode further.

“This isn’t about freedom, Mia! This is about survival. You’re being hunted, and you have no idea who’s after you. Don’t disobey me again! I’m the Alpha, and it’s my responsibility to keep you safe!”

“Disobey? I’m not your subordinate, Ethan!” She retorted, raising her voice. “Who do you think you are, trying to control me like this?”

I took a deep breath, trying not to give in to the urge to yell back. “I just chased off wolves who were clearly after you.”

She went silent for a moment, her face twisting with confusion and frustration. “Who told you I left?”

“Amber told me you had left.”

Mia’s expression changed immediately, and I saw something different in her eyes. Anger... and jealousy.

“Amber?” She took a step back. “Amber told you? Why? And what exactly is going on between you two, Ethan?”

I stared at her, stunned. “What are you talking about, girl?”

“Don’t play dumb!” She’s always lurking around you, always showing up at the right moment, and making my life hell! Was all this between us a lie, Ethan? Have you been with her this whole time?”

I stood there, frozen, her words hitting me like a punch. I knew Amber would cause problems, but I didn’t expect it to create a rift between me and someone I hadn’t even committed to. But I also knew denying it would only complicate things further.

“You don’t need to answer me anymore.” She glared at me. “You’re sleeping with her, right? I was probably just another one on your Alpha list.”

I felt a pang of guilt, but I couldn’t let that distract me from what mattered.

“You need to trust me, Mia. I’m here to protect you. Nothing else matters. Don’t change the subject. What were you doing?”

Mia kept looking at me, the silence between us heavy with tension.

She was clearly hesitating, but I knew she couldn’t escape this conversation.

“I went to see Charlotte,” she finally said, lowering her eyes for a moment before meeting my gaze again.

“Charlotte?” I frowned, trying to understand. “Why her?”

“She knew things… about my father, Ethan.” Mia sighed, crossing her arms, as if trying to protect herself from the truth she had just revealed. “She told me he’s alive, that he always knew where I was, but never came to me. He’s the Alpha of one of the most powerful packs, and… he’s hunting me.”

I felt a knot form in my stomach. Of course, there was more to this story than I imagined. Charlotte had always been a loose piece in this game, someone who seemed to know more than she should. And now, she was involved with Mia’s biological father? That only made things more complicated.

“So, she knows where he is?” I asked, my mind already planning the next move.

Mia hesitated, furrowing her brow. “She said she’s not sure. But she has information… clues about where he might be. I just… I needed to know, Ethan. Know who he really is. Why he left me.”

Charlotte could be the key.

“Then we’ll use Charlotte,” I said, my voice firm, without hesitation. “She’ll help us find your dear Alpha dad.”

Mia looked at me, surprised by my reaction. “And what do you plan to do, Ethan? Are you going to hurt Charlotte?”

I stared at her, seeing the fear and doubt in her eyes. It wasn’t about Charlotte. It never was. But I also knew she would be useful, and I was willing to go to great lengths to keep Mia safe—even if that meant doing things she wouldn’t approve of.

“I’m not going to hurt Charlotte,” I answered, trying to keep calm in my voice despite the turmoil inside me. “But she’s going to have to cooperate. And if she doesn’t… well, I’ll do whatever it takes to protect you, Mia. Even if you don’t like the methods and end up hating me.”

She shook her head, clearly torn between trusting me or continuing with her own suspicions.

“Ethan, I don’t want anyone to get hurt because of me. Not Charlotte, not anyone.” She looked deeply into my eyes. “That’s not who I am.”

I thought about telling her everything about the potion, but I was mentally exhausted.

I pulled her closer, my fingers firm on her arm. “And this isn’t a choice, Mia. What’s happening now is way bigger than you. And, if they’re hunting you, I’ll put an end to it. One way or another.”