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 him but I didn’t, I held back.
I set out to start a fight and I did. I needed to hurt him and I did. My shoulders shook as the tears flowed freely. My breathing quickened until I couldn’t control it and I was gasping for air.
The bed creaked and dipped as he lay down next to me. I felt his hand, it was so close, the warmth radiated from it, and I could feel it on my shoulder. He was almost touching me. How much I craved his touch after that terrible fight.
I resisted the need to lean back into it, to lean back into him, to feel his touch. I held back the urge to kiss him, touch him, and make it better. I forced down the words that would reassure him of my love, reassure him of our bond, reassure him of how it was him and only him. The warmth was gone and I could only assume that he pulled his hand back.
“I love you, Adea. It’s you and will only ever be you for me,” Ethan murmured.
I didn’t respond. I squeezed my eyes shut and didn’t move. I pretended to sleep and waited for his breath to even out. Now that we had fought, I needed to listen out for Leo. As soon as he stepped away, I would leave. I’d grab one of the keys to one of the cars out front and drive.
I’d get as far away from the packhouse as I could before he woke up. I needed him to think I was still on the pack lands. As soon as he realized I was gone, he’d search for me. That’s if Leo doesn’t notice I’m gone, and he shouldn’t. Not if I can pull this last minute, not well-thought-out plan. When he comes back from his break, he won’t open our door while Ethan’s here. He will assume we’re still sleeping and won’t think anything is out of place. He will then stand guard outside the door like every other night until Gabe comes to switch shifts or when Ethan realizes I’m gone.
I was positive he would link me as soon as he woke. When that happens I needed to be as far away as possible while still being within mind-linking distance. He would try and get me to come back and by then I would need an excuse.
My mind was racing with the steps to my plan. I would need to convince Ethan that I’m within the pack, staying within the pack and that I need to be alone because of the fight. If he thought I was leaving the pack territory, I’m not sure what he would do. Based on how he reacted tonight, I can’t assume he wouldn’t come after me.
I could only hope my mate would give me space. If he didn’t and demanded to know where I was, I would go as far as telling him I couldn’t be with him. I was sure it wouldn’t come to that and he would agree to give me the space I asked for.
I would do whatever I needed to do to convince him that I was safe and not to look for me. Sounds easy enough, right? I sighed. My thoughts were interrupted when I heard the floor outside the door creak notifying me of Leo’s departure.
That was so quick. How long have I been waiting? I looked outside the window, the moon was starting to dip under the horizon. Goddess, I didn’t have much time.
I froze and tuned into Ethan’s breathing and confirmed he was asleep. This was it, this was my chance. If I didn’t go now. I’d never leave. I wouldn’t be able to.
I slipped out of bed and made my way over to the wardrobe as quietly as possible. I pulled on jeans and a hoodie and looked at Ethan for the last time. I wanted to touch him before I left but I didn’t want to risk waking him.
The door shut in the hallway and I knew Leo was gone. I opened the door slowly and slipped out into the hall. It felt as if someone had started a stopwatch and I was fighting against time. I made my way down to the elevator as quickly and quietly as possible. It opened and closed before Leo came back out.
My heart was racing by the time the elevator stopped on the ground floor. I ran behind the counter and grabbed the keys to the jeep. From there, I sprinted like a criminal on the run. I pushed the doors open and the crisp cold early morning air hit me.
My cheeks cooled and my nose started to run as I made my way to the jeep parked across the parking lot. I shoved the key into the ignition, didn’t bother warming the car, and reversed.
With the packhouse behind me and the winding road in front of me, I stepped on the gas. The sun was starting to rise. I needed to get as far away as possible.