Chapter 13

"I've waited twelve years. I don't want to waste the opening."

He said it plain. His eyes on me were full of it.

I sighed. Then, watching the disappointment start in his face, I went on.

"If you're going to put it like that — twelve years. I owe you a chance."

He froze, then broke into a grin.

"You said yes. You can't take it back."

He grabbed my hand, then flushed and let go.

"Elara. I love you. Thank you for giving me a chance."

...

I thought I wouldn't see Ethan again, not for a long time.

A business gathering — and there he was.

One month and he'd lost fifteen pounds. Something dark had settled on him.

His eyes were sunken, red, like he hadn't slept in days.

I glanced at him once and looked away.

Adrian was watching me, concerned.

"It's fine? You can leave if you want."

I shook my head.

I thought I could pass the evening like that. Ethan's voice cut across the room.

"Elara!"

He was coming.

He pushed through the crowd, shouting my name.

I frowned, annoyed.

When he got to me, he froze.

"Who is he?!"

The moment Ethan rushed over, I took Adrian's hand.

I didn't know why Ethan was this worked up seeing me, but I was using Adrian to drive him off.

Ethan demanded an answer. Before I could say anything, a pink-eared Adrian spoke up, steady.

"I'm Elara's Alpha. What are you doing asking questions?"

Adrian was smug. The look he gave Ethan was full of it.

I couldn't help a small smile.

Ethan looked like he'd been hit. He couldn't process it.

Watching me smile at Adrian drove him closer to the edge.

His eyes went bloody. He looked at Adrian like he wanted to gut him.

"Elara Hayes! How could you — how could you be with him? You've only been gone a month!"

"I don't believe this! You're lying!"

"You're trying to make me jealous, aren't you?"

There was still hope in his voice. His voice was shaking.

I gave him a short, cold laugh. Contempt on my face.

Before I could speak, Ethan rushed on. "Elara. I know. I was wrong. Forgive me."

"I know everything now. Seraphine's been handled. Come back with me. I'll make her pay."

He offered Seraphine up like a sacrifice for my forgiveness.

It didn't move me. It made me want to see him less.

"What are you not getting? Yes. Adrian is my Alpha."

I said it light.

His face twisted. Tears almost ran over. His voice cracked.

"We've only been apart a month. You can't have forgotten me. You can't have loved someone else already. I don't believe it!"

He shook his head like my being with Adrian was impossible.

"Is this really that strange? Compared to you, I haven't broken a Bond."

I shot back without softening.

He took a full step back. The color drained from him.

A second later his face warped, and he reached for me.

"You can't. You can't love another Alpha. I know I was wrong. After everything between us, how can you be with someone else?!"

His eyes were dark red with pain.

"I know I've hurt you. I know you've suffered."

"But I was blinded too. Seraphine fooled me. Her twins aren't mine. Come back and I'll explain."

"Whatever you want to do to her, whatever you want to do to me — as long as you come back."

I'd never seen Ethan this low. He was almost on his knees.

Even so, I didn't want to look at him again.

"I have nothing to explain to you. Whether Seraphine fooled you or not, you still did it yourself."

"Between us is a blood debt. I'm never coming back. And we are Severed."

I cut him a cold look and turned.

If my Pack position had been stronger, Ethan wouldn't have been free this long.

Adrian's face hardened. His eyes stayed on Ethan.

"She's made her choice. Everyone's seen what you've done to her."

"I don't know how you still have a face to show."

"Come at her again and Wyndham will come down on Sterling."

Ethan watched Adrian shield me. It broke something in his head.

He roared and charged Adrian.

"Who do you think you are, stepping in between us? I'm Elara's Alpha. You're the one breaking the Bond!"

He threw a punch at Adrian.

Adrian loosened his tie and took him head on.

They were on each other fast.

Ethan hadn't slept or eaten in a month. It only took a few exchanges — he was on the floor.

He coughed up blood.

Adrian went to finish him. I caught his arm.

"Leave it. Not worth it."

For a second Ethan looked relieved when he saw me stop Adrian.

When he understood what I'd actually said, the relief drained out.