Chapter 23
I studied his face, trying to mask my frustration. “Did you really test my DNA just to make sure I’m not some stand–in? Or did you just want an excuse to force me back into your life?” My words were laced with bitterness, an edge I couldn’t hide.
han didn’t miss a beat, snatching the report from my hands. “Can’t I?” he shot back, his expression infuriatingly smug.
I scoffed, folding my arms. “One sniff and you’d know it’s me, Ethan. You didn’t need a test to confirm anything.” I’d barely finished speaking before the regret hit. Our scent bond was undeniable, an intrinsic connection that would never fade. Being close to him like this stirred a storm of emotions in me, ones I’d spent years trying to silence.
His smirk widened, and he leaned in closer. “Thanks for the reminder. Want to test it now?”
My wolf stirred within me, howling with excitement, but I forced myself to ignore her, shoving the feelings down. I turned on my heel, determined to leave. To my annoyance, Ethan quickly fell into step behind me, his footsteps matching mine, as though we were in some twisted dance neither of us could escape.
I halted abruptly, turning to face him with a glare. He simply shrugged, slipping an arm around my shoulders as if it were the most natural thing in the world, steering me forward as though he could simply dictate my movements. His Alpha aura was overwhelming, impossible to fight, and I could feel his gaze searing into me even as I tried to appear unaffected.
As we returned to the party, I could sense people stealing glances at us, their eyes filled. with curiosity and a hint of trepidation. Ethan’s presence demanded attention, and no one dared to openly stare, yet their whispers surrounded us, faint murmurs hanging in the air.
I tried to drown out the tension by engaging in casual conversation with a few nearby guests, flashing
“Smiles and nodding in all the right places. Ethan remained just behind me, but watchful, like a bodyguard–or perhaps a shadow, lurking and
impossible to escape. His hand rested lightly on my shoulder, a silent reminder of his presence, his claim.
Chapter 21
The atmosphere grew denser with each passing minute, and every fiber of my being wanted to shake him off, to finally be free of his shadow. But I knew it wouldn’t be that casy. Ethan’s determination had always been relentless, and now, with me so close, I sense he wouldn’t let go.
As I turned to leave the party, his grip on my shoulder tightened slightly, a silent message that he wasn’t ready to say goodbye. And though my mind screamed at me to walk away, to sever the connection once and for all, a part of me couldn’t deny the pull, the tie that the
Moon Goddess herself had woven into our fates.
Even as the crowd buzzed around us, as the party continued without pause, it felt as if time had slowed, and there was only Ethan and me, two broken halves of a whole that neither of us could fully understand–or ever escape.
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Zoe was praising my work in Shadow Sand to Nick, a casual smile on his face as he talked up my contributions to the team. I was only half–listening when he mentioned Jane’s history–a story that, until then, I hadn’t known. Jane, standing nearby, looked at him
sheepishly as he spoke..
“Jane is the daughter of Laiden Pack’s Alpha,” Zoe continued, a hint of sadness in his tone, “and she defied her father’s orders just to be with Ethan. Nearly lost her life for it.”
I blinked, surprised. Jane gave a small nod, confirming his words.
“She nearly didn’t make it,” Zoe continued, his gaze darkening with old memories. “The
betas shot seven rounds into her car, shattering the windows. If Henry hadn’t arrived in time, well…”
I studied Jane, noting the subtle scar that traced her temple. It looked faint, something that might fade with time, but her eyes held a weight that told me it hadn’t healed fully–not where it mattered. She caught me looking, and a gentle smile curved her lips.
“You’re incredible, Claire,” she said sincerely.
Chapter 23
I glanced at her, feeling the warmth of her friendly gaze, tinged with admiration and curiosity. Something in her expression told me she knew more about me than I’d
realized–maybe she’d heard stories, too.
I flashed her a quick smile. “If you get that drunk again, don’t count on someone saving you,” I teased, arching an eyebrow.
Jane laughed, the tension between us dissolving. She threw an arm over my shoulder, the Alcohol clearly making her more familiar than she might usually be. “By the way,” she Began with a playful curiosity, “what were you and Ethan doing? You disappeared for so long.”
I subtly pushed her hand away, feeling a bit awkward. “Just catching up,” I replied, keeping
my tone light. “It’s been ten years since we last saw each other.”
(3)
