Chapter 19: Ethan’s dark past

Ethan’s POV  

The weight of Marcus’s accusations hadn’t lifted since the night of the fight. His words haunted me, echoing in my mind every time I closed my eyes. My father’s legacy was a shadow I’d always carried, but now it felt heavier, darker, and more dangerous than ever.  

Lila deserved the truth, and I couldn’t avoid it any longer. She was part of this now, whether she wanted to be or not. The bond we shared was undeniable, see that she fated to be me forever, and if I didn’t come clean, it would only fester between us like an open wound.  

As I stumbled into the night air, the chill hit me like a slap, clearing my head enough to take stock of my surroundings. The night was still, save for the sounds of the struggle in the cabin, and the faint rustling of leaves as other figures approached.

Lila’s voice called out softly from the shadows, and I turned, finding her there, her face etched with worry. She must have doubled back after reaching safety with Nathan, unwilling to leave me behind. Relief flooded through me, tempered by the weight of everything I’d just learned.

“We need to go,” I said, my voice rough, the shock still raw in my mind.

Her eyes searched mine, sensing the turmoil within me. “Ethan, what happened? Are you all right?”

I took a shaky breath, glancing back at the cabin, where Adam was still fighting to keep Marcus contained. “I’ll explain later,” I said, taking her hand as we backed away into the cover of the trees. “But it’s worse than I thought. And now… now we have a new enemy.”

I couldn't talk with her that night, cause I noticed she was tired. So I followed her to her house and made sure she was inside before leaving. 

I stood outside her clinic, hesitating. The windows glowed warmly against the growing dusk, and inside, I could see her moving about, focused on her work. She’d always looked so natural in her element, caring for animals with a tenderness I couldn’t comprehend but deeply admired. But tonight wasn’t the time to admire her—it was the time to lay my soul bare.  

I pushed open the door, the bell chiming softly. She glanced up, her eyes lighting with recognition before dimming slightly.  

“You look like you’ve been through hell,” she said, setting down a clipboard.  

I let out a dry laugh, rubbing the back of my neck. “You have no idea.”  

Her brow furrowed, and she motioned for me to sit. “What happened?”  

I hesitated. How did I even begin?  

She caught the hesitation, her sharp eyes narrowing. “Ethan, if you’re here to drop more cryptic nonsense, I’m not in the mood. Spit it out... hmm, beside you wanted to tell me something last night”  

The bluntness startled me, but it was exactly what I needed. No dodging, no excuses.  

“Yeah, i need to tell you something,” I began, sitting down across from her. My hands clenched on my knees as I forced the words out. “About my family. About my past.”  

Her expression softened, curiosity flickering behind her guarded gaze. “Go on.”  

I took a deep breath, the air in the room suddenly feeling heavier. “My father… he wasn’t the man I thought he was, and because of him, I’ve done things I’m not proud of. Things I’ll never forgive myself for.”  

Lila leaned forward, her elbows resting on her knees. She didn’t say anything, just waited, giving me the space to continue.  

“When I was younger, during the war between our packs, my father made a pact with something dark—a force that promised power and protection in exchange for loyalty. He didn’t tell anyone, not even me, until it was too late. The things he did…” I trailed off, shaking my head.  

“And you?” she asked softly.  

I swallowed hard. “When I became alpha, I thought I could undo his mistakes, break free of the shadow he cast. But I was desperate. Our pack was on the brink of collapse, and Dominic was gaining ground. I… I made the same pact, thinking I could control it, that I could use it to protect everyone.”  

Her eyes widened, the shock clear on her face. “What kind of pact?”  

My voice dropped to a whisper. “I swore fealty to a force older than any of us—a primal spirit tied to the werewolves. It gave me strength, but it came at a cost. It demanded sacrifices—loyalties, secrets, lives. And when I tried to sever the bond, it turned on me.”  

Her hand flew to her mouth, and I could see the horror in her eyes. “You’re still bound to it?”  

“No,” I said quickly. “Not entirely. I found a way to weaken the bond, but it’s still there, lingering. And now, with Dominic stirring up old magic, I can feel it growing stronger.”  

She stood abruptly, pacing the room. “So you’re telling me that you’ve been walking around with this… thing tied to you? That it could turn on you—or us—at any moment?”  

“It’s not like that,” I said, standing as well. “I’ve kept it contained. It’s dormant unless it’s called upon.”  

“Unless it’s called upon?” she echoed, her voice rising. “Ethan, do you even hear yourself? You’ve been keeping this from me—from everyone—while we’re fighting for our lives against Dominic!”  

“I didn’t want to burden you with it,” I said, my frustration boiling over. “I thought I could handle it on my own.”  

Her eyes flashed with anger. “Well, congratulations. Now it’s everyone’s problem.”  

The words stung, but I couldn’t blame her for being furious. She had every right to be.  

Before I could respond, the door burst open, and Marcus stumbled inside, bloodied and frantic.  

“Dominic,” he gasped, clutching his side. “He’s making his move. There’s a ritual—a resurrection.”  

Lila turned to him, her anger momentarily forgotten. “What are you talking about?”  

"What are you doing here, Marcus? " I got very angry seeing him. "After what you did yesterday, you dare to show up here" I stood up approaching him, I could feel my wolf coming to the surface. 

"Ethan, it not what you think I...." he tried to defend himself but I stop him 

" Not what I think, maybe I had gone deaf and blind...."

"What going on? What happening here?" Lila who was confused asked. 

"Remember when I said we had a new enemy last night, guess who it was?" My eyes never left Marcus as I talk to lila 

"You mean marcus..... I don't understand, how and when?" Lila ask confused. 

"Ethan, please here me out. I did what I had to do for you and the pack?...."

I cut marcus off

"Me? Pack..." I chuckled "I clearly remember what you said yesterday and i quote.. *I’m not the traitor here. I’m the one trying to survive. And you’re too naïve to understand what it takes*.... so tell me where is the misunderstanding" I said glaring angrily at him, remembering all that he said. 

"Please Ethan, here me out it urgent. I never meant to betray you. Heck, I never betrayed you. The only foolish thing I did was not telling you before carrying out my plan" 

"What plan?" I asked, now listening to what he has to say. 

"I wanted to know what Dominic was planning, I was spying on him. He caught me and wanted to kill me and I had to lie that I wanted to join him and to prove I was at his side I had to fight you and say those hurtful word. I am really sorry, you are my best friend And Alpha, I will never hurt you intentionally, am really sorry"

"It OK, but at least you could have told me" I knew marscus and I knew he was saying the truth 

"I promise never to do something like that again without telling you"

"How did you escape, Dominic?" 

"I ran away when he went out, I followed him, Dominic is planing something very dangerous "

"Dangerous?" Lila eyes widened 

"And what could that be?"

Marcus looked at me, his eyes dark with urgency. “Dominic’s planning to resurrect an ancient wolf_the first werewolf. He’s using the bloodlines, the old magic. If he succeeds, it’s over for all of us.”  

The air seemed to freeze as his words sank in. Lila looked between us, her expression a mix of disbelief and dread.  

“What does this mean?” she asked, her voice trembling.  

“It means we don’t have much time,” I said, my voice hollow.  

But Marcus wasn’t done. “Lila,” he said, his voice low, almost a whisper. “He’s coming for you next. You’re the key to completing the ritual.”