Adea
The running water shut off and Ethan reappeared in the doorway. His I-just-had-sex hair only made him hotter. My eyes took in his strong muscular shoulders, before dropping to his flexed biceps, and chiseled torso. I was the luckiest woman alive. No matter what happened, I’d been blessed with the time I’d had with Ethan.
His expression was one of clear unease. He made his way toward me on the bed with a cloth in hand. My heart warmed at the sight of my mate coming to take care of me like he did every night. I was blessed with a mate who not only loved me but one who was consistent in expressing that love. Even though he didn’t need to, Ethan has taken care of me as no one else has since the beginning.
There was one problem, the only problem with the plan I’d been cooking up in my head, was Ethan. I did not account for my overprotective mate. I didn’t have to ask him to know wha
AdeaWas it possible to be happy and sad at the same time? My chin trembled and I clenched my jaw to stop it. Tears blurred my vision and I blinked hard and fast as I cursed the tears and fought to keep them from overflowing. I love this man so damn much. What did I do to deserve him? His words and comforting and reassuring.“This has nothing to do with Shane.”My voice is low and I’ve done my best to rid it of all emotion. Confusion flashes across his face as he hears the difference in my tone. I feel like such a bitch for ignoring everything he just said. My stomach drops. With one sentence about Shane, I’ve totally disregarded his heartfelt words. Even with that, my mate doesn’t look hurt. He was still kneeling while he stares up at me as he tries to be understanding.“Tell me. What does it have to do with, My Queen?” Ethan asked.
AdeaI was too stunned to speak. Ethan has never yelled at me but when he demanded I explained, his voice was loud enough to carry outside. No one was perfect but I was shocked to hear that Ethan thought this way. Was this all brought on because we saw Shane again? The last time the three of us were in the same room together had been the day of the trial.“Fucking say something, please!”“I don’t know, Ethan. I… “Goddess, what do I say? I don’t know if I could say that I love Shane and have him believe me. Passing it off as the truth is something else entirely. From the way Ethan’s looking at me, I don’t think I’ll have to do much to convince him. He would believe whatever I say.“I don’t know if you know what the meeting did to me. Seeing the two of you across from each other. He couldn&rsqu
Adea “I don’t believe this sorry excuse you’re giving me about not wanting pups. You do want pups but after seeing Shane, you don’t want pups with me. You want him and it fucking hurts. Has he made you waiver? Fuck! I never said I was a good man but I’ve done everything I can to be good to you.” His voice was filled with pain. “He can’t have you.” “Let go of me, Ethan.” I didn’t fear him, I knew with every fiber of my being that he wouldn’t hurt me. I widened my eyes and I swallowed nervously as I stared up at him. “I’d never hurt you, Adea,” Ethan said. “I just… I don’t… you can’t…” “Please.” He released me instantly. I brought my hands down and wrapped them around myself. He let out a ragged breath and rolled off of me. My mate sat up in bed, his back was hunched over, and his head was in his hands. I wanted to reach out and touch hi
EthanBright rays caressed my skin and just like that, I was awake. My first conscious thought was always her. Normally when I woke up in the morning, my mate was fast asleep in my arms or on top of me, and I would watch her sleep for a few minutes. It was at that moment that life stood still and everything was right in the world, it was just us. If not for the headache that threatened to split my head open, that’s what I would be doing. Our bodies were not pressed together and I couldn’t feel her warmth.Fuck, I felt sick to my stomach. My head felt heavy as I rolled over on my side. As I reached out for my mate, the memory of last night replayed through my mind. It wasn’t like I needed the reminder, I remembered it plain as day. It didn’t stop me from seeking her out when I first opened my eyes.I had gone to bed feeling as if I’d been punched in the gut but I told myself to stop
EthanMy eyes drifted and landed on the elevator she must have taken sometime during the night. Where had she gone? Was she safe? The only possible answer was Gabe’s. She would have gone to her best friend because we were fighting. Maybe, no, she had to be there. I ignored the fact that Gabe would have informed me of her location or told Leo if that was the case. Deep down, I knew she wasn’t there but it didn’t stop my feet from moving.She left me.She left me.She left me.When did she leave? Why didn’t she leave a note? Had she planned this? If so, when? How long has she been set on leaving? When did she decide on this? Was it when she saw him at the meeting or was it when she heard he took over Half Moon? Goddess, I was insane. She wouldn&
EthanOdis’ words were simple, change back. I’d done it many times before, it wouldn’t be any different now. The only thing different about now and all the times I’ve done it was on purpose. Shifting was painful at first but became natural for shifters. His request was a walk in the park.“I can do that,” I said.Looking down at myself I shifted back. I watched as the claws returned to normal, my hands were back, my hair disappeared, and I was a foot closer to the ground. I found the urge to touch my nose and face. I didn’t need to check to know my canines and nose were back to normal. Odis was by my side, his shoulders were no longer tense, and he patted me on the shoulder.“Thank you, brother.”“No need, Alpha. That was all you, I did nothing,” Ethan said.Odis turned to Gab
EthanAfter my conversation with Gabe, I left them to get ready. I went straight for the elevator and when I made it downstairs, I grabbed the first key I saw. I didn’t care what car I took. I just needed a car fast. With the keys in hand, I darted through the sitting room and out the front door. It was still early but there were a few pack members out. I ignored them as they greeted me.Checking the keys, I would be taking the Corvette. Looking up, I scanned the line of cars for it, and when I found it I made a run for it. She was a beautiful sleek black. She’d do the job, luckily I had picked a fast car.The last time I’d taken her out, she got me to 60 in 2.9 sections. I didn’t stop at 60 but she got me there fast. With my build, it was a tight fit, so I didn’t take her out often. Opening the door, I lowered and swung myself into the driver’s side at the same time.
AdeaThe link ended and I tightened my grip on the wheel. My words echoed in my mind and made my stomach churn. Lies. Everything I said had been a lie. I wanted to yell it, scream it at the top of my lungs. I didn’t mean any of it.I wanted to take it all back and tell him what happened. I wanted to tell him why I said the things that I said. I wanted to make him understand and beg for his forgiveness. I wanted to figure out if there was a way we could beat Shane together. Maybe he would agree with my plan and let me go.I laughed. Yeah, now I was being crazy. Downright crazy and probably stupid. I knew he never would have agreed. That’s why I went with it. That’s why I didn’t tell Gabe. That’s why I left in the middle of the night while he was sleeping.I knew I couldn’t be selfish and hoped that he would agree with me. Had he known, I wouldn’t p
The first month back at Desert Moon had been hard. Not a day went by without us fighting. Ethan rejected Mavy as his mate before we came home. A part of me knew he was hurt about it, missed her like I missed Shane. I felt like he was only with me because I was his Luna, because of obligation and duty. I didn’t know why he wanted to be with me. He didn’t know why I was with him when I loved Shane. We were at our lowest. We were ugly, we were at our rawest. It wasn’t until month two that we finally talked about everything. We talked bout what happened and we talked about the past. The one that I remembered and by this time, the one that he remembered. It was hard, facing the man I loved in this life and the man I hated in the past. He wasn’t him anymore, he hadn’t been him for a long time. We dug into the past and were completely honest with each other. He fell to his knees and apologized for what he’d done even though I told him it wasn’t him, that wasn’t him anymore. He asked me if I
Mavy fell back as if she’d been physically struck. She collapsed on the couch, her eyes watering. She didn’t look back at me, she kept her gaze focused on Ethan. I watched as her world crashed around her again for the second time in five minutes.“Where does that leave me?” Mavy asked. “I’m… your…” she shook her head and turned to look back at Ethan. “That’s not possible. I’m… I can smell it. I can feel it. Can’t you?” Mavy whispered. I heard the desperation in her voice.“I don’t care what you think or how you feel. I am already mated and my mate, my partner, my love, MY QUEEN sits in this room. Don’t disrespect her again.” The emotion in his voice caused me to choke up. Mavy bit into her lower lip and tears streamed down her cheeks. She dropped her head.“Yes, Alpha,” she said submissively.“I killed your Alpha,” Ethan said. “I’ve killed your brother.”“Yes,” she murmured.“Will you fight me on this?” Ethan asked.“As the next in line, I submit to you,” Mavy whispered.Ethan dismiss
The voices were getting louder, my head was hurting. I wanted to roll up into a ball and disappear from the world. Instead, I closed my eyes and tried to drown it all out, trying to ignore everyone. I wasn’t ready to deal with it.“She’s in shock…”“She’s confused…”“Enough!”A door slammed and footsteps paddled quickly towards me. Soft frail arms wrapped around me. Tears soaked my cheeks and my neck as Mavy cried. Did she know? She had to know.“Are you okay?” Mavy sobbed.I wrapped my arms around her and nodded. The tears started up again and streamed down my cheeks. Her t-shirt bunched in my fingers as I held her close. We cried and held each other.She inhaled deeply and froze. Slowly, she lifted her nose into the air and took another deep breath. Turning from me, she tried to follow the scent. She stopped, her gaze locked on someone, I turned and followed her gaze.I should have known, expected it but I’d been so caught up in my feelings that I didn’t think. I don’t know how it w
I didn’t have an answer for him and I don’t think he would have liked what I would have said. Hell, I didn’t know if I liked what I thought or how I felt. Instead of hurting him and cutting myself open for him, I didn’t say anything. I remained quiet. My world was crashing around me and my ears were ringing. I lowered my head and the tears flowed of their own volition.Ethan leaned down and I flinched as his arms wrapped around me. They were strong and broad. His embrace was warm and promised I could lean on him. I attempted to get to my feet only to fall. My face twisted from the pain and I wanted to cry and wallow in my own self-pity. Standing, he pulled me up and held me as my body gave up. I collapsed against him.I wanted to get to Shane, needed to. As if on cue, the weak mate bond snapped, and just like in my dream, it was gone. Only, this time, the pain I was feeling was because of Shane and not because of Ethan. The world was cold, the warmth I’d been able to feel from Shane f
Did what I do to him last night not bother him? I betrayed him. Did he not care that I came here to hurt him? Did he not care that I chose Ethan? I wanted to cry and scream. I wanted to run into his arms. I wanted this to stop. I wanted them to stop fighting. I wanted it all to stop. I screamed, it was painful and gut-wrenching but I screamed. I cursed the Goddess, damn her, she was useless in all of this. She sat up there above the clouds and did nothing to help us. Did she enjoy watching us suffer? When I couldn’t scream anymore, I inhaled deep breaths of air. I looked up and froze as Shane stared back at me. The way he looked at me told me he knew he was going to die. The look in his eye told me he knew he lost but for me, there was a small spark as if he wouldn’t just lay down and take it. I watched Ethan punch him. It was as if he was moving in slow motion. He hit his jaw and Shane’s head snapped back hard against the ground. Shane’s body tensed and he punched Ethan in the gut.
For a moment in time, they stood glaring at each other. The sun was blaring down on us. My gaze darted back and forth between the two. Shane’s eyes wandered away from Ethan and landed on me. “Look at me, mutt. You don’t get to look at her after what you’ve done,” Ethan spat. “I’m not so weak that you can look away from me in the middle of a fight.” “What have I done?” Shane taunted. “You’ve touched what’s mine,” Ethan growled. “I haven’t done anything other than touch what is mine. I haven’t done anything but make love to what is mine. I’ve claimed her. She may not wear my mark, thief but she is mine. Don’t claim her as yours. She was mine, she was always mine. She doesn’t belong to you, she never did.” A look came over Ethan’s face as if he knew as if this was confirmation as if he was reminded of something he’d forgotten. “You’re the one who touched someone who wasn’t yours. You are the one who took what was mine. Don’t try to play the victim. Don’t pretend to be something you’re
No.Not Odis.“Devin,” I gasped.Devin heard me but didn’t stop. He didn’t look up at me, didn’t even hesitate as he continued to stomp Odis into the ground. Blood spurt from Odis’ mouth and I think I heard his ribs crack. I took a step closer to stop it, to stop him. In a flash, someone was on top of Devin. Strong arms held Devin’s prisoner in a headlock and his legs wrapped around Devin’s abdomen.I wanted to scream but it quickly died in my throat as Odis and I realized the man in front of me was Gabe. Gabe. It was Gabe and he was on top of Devin. Well, he was wrapped around him like a python ready to suffocate his prey. Gabe grunted as he continued to squeeze Devin’s head, blocking his airflow.I wanted to cry out happily but I couldn’t. Gabe was here. Why was he here? He wasn’t supposed to be here. Things were going differently since he was alive. He was standing, breathing, his head was still attached to his body. Maybe things were turning out differently.Maybe Gabe was safe, ma
“Do you understand what I’m saying?” Odis asked. I couldn’t find the words to speak, so I nodded. “Good,” Odis said as his grip on me loosened. “Why don’t you let her go?” A voice called out to us. Looking up, I searched for the source of the voice. My eyes widened as I found Devin watching up. His gaze locked around Odis’ arms that were still wrapped around me to his hands that gripped my arms. “I promise I’m more fun,” Devin teased. I know what it looked like. It looked like I was being held back from moving. It looked like Odis was stopping me from helping Shane. It looked like I was stuck between two packs, two men. The situation I found myself in was precarious. I was now stuck between two Betas who were supposed to protect me, despite their conflicting thoughts regarding me. I hadn’t had much time with Devin since I’d been back. He hadn’t been the nicest, shit, I don’t think he even liked me. That didn’t change the fact that Devin was Beta of Half Moon pack. Shane was his
I didn’t have an answer and I prayed I didn’t have to make the choice. Not only had everyone stopped moving but it had gone deathly silent. For a moment, everyone and everything froze. There wasn’t a whisper of wind in the air, the trees stood still, and it was so quiet you could hear a pin drop. It was the calm before the storm. It felt like someone had pushed the pause button and all at once the play button was pressed and all hell broke loose. As if planned, the two of them ran toward each other. I looked past Ethan and my gaze landed on Shane’s chest. The sword had been taken out, a gaping hole was left in its place right next to his heart. Now that it was gone, I could see I had barely missed his heart. If I’d been one inch to the right, he would have died. How had I missed that? I didn’t kill him. Was I not paying attention? Why hadn’t I looked at his heart? I had aimed, hadn’t I? Had I meant to miss it? No, I had meant it, or else I wouldn’t have stabbed him at all. I tried to