Adea
Wow.
I know.
I. can’t believe you just did that.
I can’t either!
It’s about damn time, Adea!
I knooooww.
How do you feel?
Jittery.
I bet. Well done, Adea.
Thank you, Kor.
Suspicion mixed in with the excitement coursing through my veins from telling Shane off. I’ve never felt so free in my life. Even though his words had my mind churning trying to find the meaning behind them, I felt as if a burden had been lifted from my shoulders.
The way he responded sounded as if he didn’t he didn’t hear a word that left my mouth. I felt a sense of irritation but not enough to bring me down from the mental pedestal I currently stood on.
My heart was beating out of my chest and my fingers shook. I knew I was the only person who had spoken to him that way and lived. I felt downright giddy and couldn’t help the smile that spread across my lips.
I stepped past Shane and kept my eyes trained ahead of me. Ignoring the men that had surrounded us, I made my way for the doors. The room had gone deathly silent but I forced myself to keep going. As we neared the exit, the warriors opened the door. With my head held high, I walked out with my mate by my side.
Oh shit, my mate. I wouldn’t say I forgot about him during the conversation with Ethan but I had been so focused on Shane and ripping him a new one that I forgot my mate was present. What had I said?
As soon as the doors closed behind us, I looked up at Ethan. His jaw was clenched tight and I sighed as I stared at the beautiful man I got to call mine. It must have been just as hard for him to sit across from Shane as it had been for me.
I felt an overwhelming sense of love and gratitude for my mate. Not only did he support me in there but he didn’t try and step in and fight my battles for me. He was already my knight in shining armor and I knew he had my back. Even so, I loved that he stood aside and let me do what I needed to.
The door may be closed but we were still too close to everyone to have a conversation. The sound of my heels clacking against the floor filled the silent halls. The warriors at the entrance of the meeting hall opened the final doors we would have to walk through here on Alpha Rich’s pack. Ethan was my rock as we descended the stairs.
The sun had long since set and if not for the street lights we would have been surrounded by darkness. We stopped by the passenger’s door to our car and Ethan looked at Darci, Odis, and Leo. Darci hadn’t been with us for long but the look on her face was one of what I would call pride. Odis beamed at me.
“Amazing job, Luna. I know that couldn’t have been easy,” Odis said.
“It was a lot easier than I thought it would be!” I laughed.
“I’ll say,” Leo said. “You went offff. I know of a little blonde-haired man who’d be proud.”
Thinking of my best friend, I couldn’t help but smile. Leo usually regarded me with indifference unless Gabe was concerned. Right now, he smiled at me sheepishly. If Ethan wasn’t here, I feel like he might have clapped.
“I don’t know much about him but he must have deserved what he got,” Leo said. His eyes darted to Ethan and he added, “Luna.”
“He definitely did. You were pretty fast back there, Leo,” I said. It wasn’t often that I gave Leo compliments so they were a bit rusty coming out.
“I’m Speedy Gonzalez,” Leo said as he puffed out his chest.
“Mm-hmm,” I rolled my eyes. “Anyway, I wanted to thank you guys for having my back in there.”
“Any time,” Odis said.
“It’s kind of my job,” Leo shrugged and Darci nodded.
Ethan reached for the handle and opened the door for me. When I was seated, he closed the door and turned back to Odis, Darci, and Leo.
“Follow close behind,” Ethan ordered.
“Yes, Alpha,” Darci and Odis replied.
I had so many things on my mind. Doors slammed, engines revved, and we were off. The drive through the territory was quiet and I wasn’t sure of what to say. Was he angry? I couldn’t see why not. I could see Odis’s car in the mirror as we drove. It wasn’t until we left the gates of Alpha Rich’s pack that Ethan relaxed in his seat. The stars were out tonight and they lit up the sky.
“How do you feel?” Ethan’s question had me turning from the view and looking at him.
“I feel great. I was late but those words needed to be said. Are you angry? Did I do something wrong?”
“Why would you ask that?” Ethan’s expression was bewildered as he stared at me.
“Well, the car ride has been awkwardly quiet and you haven’t said a word to me. Hell, Ethan, I don’t know if you’ve even looked at me since we left the meeting.” Ethan grabbed my hand and intertwined his fingers with mine.
“It’s baby.”
“What?” I asked.
“It’s not Ethan, it’s baby.”
“Of all the…” I burst into laughter.
“I’m sorry,” Ethan murmured.
“Mm?”
“I had a lot on my mind and I was beating myself up about it. I wish I could have done more for you. It was eating me alive not being able to do something. I’m an asshole.” He checked the road and looked back at me, our eyes locked.
“Let’s start over. Not only are you amazing, beautiful, and strong,” His eyes twinkled as they stared at me. “But you were breathtaking, My Queen. You had more balls than some of the Alphas at the Alpha’s Table tonight. I’m so proud of you.” Tears pricked my eyes as he squeezed my hand.