Harper pov
Nearly a week has elapsed since Alpha Ethan visited our pack, and I remain unsettled by his persistent attempts to entice me into his bed, despite my initial impression of him as a virtuous individual.
To clarify the situation-I did spend the night in his room, but nothing transpired. There was no intimacy, no physical contact; he merely fell asleep on the couch, appearing rather foolish. I was still adjusting my hair when his voice broke the silence. “Harper, are you leaving? It’s just…” He paused, glancing at the clock on the wall. “It’s just after five.”
“Do you genuinely believe I would linger like a lovesick puppy when I am merely a regular pack member?”
I offered him a smirk, attempting to dispel the awkwardness from the previous night. “Oh, Alpha Ethan, believe me, I have far more important matters to attend to than waiting for your royal highness to awaken.” I tucked a rebellious strand of hair behind my ear, maintaining a tone that was both playful and assertive.
Ethan’s expression changed, a hint of amusement dancing in his eyes. “Royal highness?” He chuckled, his deep voice sending a delightful shiver through me. “You are certainly the first to refer to me in that manner.”
I rolled my eyes and headed straight for the door. “Just don’t let it inflate your ego.”
“Harper, wait a moment.” Ethan’s voice caused me to pause, and I turned to see him standing, his broad shoulders stretching the snug fit of his T-shirt. “I wanted to discuss last night.”
My heart skipped a beat. “What about it?”
Ethan’s gaze held mine, probing. “I wanted to express my gratitude. For staying. For… understanding.”
I shifted uncomfortably, uncertain of how to respond. “It was nothing, Alpha.”
“Just call me Ethan,” he replied softly, his voice low and inviting. “At least when it’s just the two of us.”
My heart raced at the intimacy in his tone. “Ethan,” I repeated, the name feeling unexpectedly exhilarating on my lips.
He smiled, and for a brief moment, I overlooked his alpha status, the complexities of pack dynamics, and simply perceived the man before me.
“Would you like to join me for dinner tonight?” Ethan proposed, his eyes sparkling with playful intent. “We can discuss… pack matters.”
I raised an eyebrow. “Pack matters?”
Ethan’s smile took on a mischievous tone. “Or perhaps not.”
My thoughts were racing. Was this a date? And honestly, how well did I truly know this alpha individual?
Yet, as I met Ethan’s warm, eager gaze, I found myself nodding in agreement.
“Sure,” I replied, my voice barely audible.
Ethan’s expression brightened, and he moved closer. “I’ll come by at seven.”
In that instant, I realized I was deeper than I had anticipated.
Just as I was about to open the door, his voice interrupted the moment. “Would you mind if I took a chance at enjoying your company tomorrow, perhaps while relaxing at your doorstep?” he asked, sounding nonchalant.
Seriously? I hadn’t expected him to be so oblivious to the nuances of flirtation. Did he really just make a comparison involving my threshold? I raised an eyebrow and redirected my attention to the door.
“Wow, Alpha, your flirting skills could use some serious refinement,” I remarked, struggling to suppress a laugh.
Ethan’s laughter echoed in the hallway. “Yeah, that definitely didn’t go as planned.”
“No kidding, Sherlock.” I shook my head, a smile breaking through despite my efforts to remain composed.
“Let me try again,” Ethan said, his voice lowering to a sultry whisper. “How about dinner tomorrow? We could genuinely get to know one another.”
I raised an eyebrow, intrigued by his sudden shift from awkwardness to charm. “You mean, without the strange threshold conversation?”
Ethan flashed a grin. “Exactly.”
I hesitated, my hand hovering over the door handle. A part of me felt cautious, but the other part-the one that had witnessed his gentler side earlier-was undeniably intrigued.
“Very well,” I responded, attempting to maintain a composed demeanor. “However, do not assume that I will be enchanted by your alpha allure.”
Ethan’s eyes sparkled with playful mischief. “Oh, I would never presume that.”
With that, I swung the door open and stepped into the bright daylight, acutely aware of his gaze lingering on me like a comforting embrace.
As I moved away, I could not dismiss the sensation that I was venturing into something far more profound than I had anticipated.
Lost in contemplation, I unexpectedly collided with Ethan’s beta, Clark.
“My apologies! I didn’t notice you there. Completely my mistake!”
Clark’s icy blue eyes narrowed, his chiseled jaw set in a fierce expression. “Be mindful of your surroundings, Harper.” His tone was as frigid as a winter’s night, starkly contrasting Ethan’s warm demeanor.
I felt my defenses rise instinctively. “I already apologized, didn’t I?”
Clark shot a glance at Ethan, who stood casually beside me, before turning back to me with a disdainful sneer. “What are you doing with the alpha?” His voice dripped with contempt.
Ethan interjected, his tone smooth yet authoritative. “Clark, calm down. Harper is joining me for dinner.”
Clark raised an eyebrow, skepticism evident on his face. “Dinner?” he repeated, disbelief saturating his words.
I could almost sense the tension crackling in the atmosphere. “Yes, dinner,” Ethan confirmed, his gaze steady. “Pack business, Clark. Just let it be.”
The air was thick with unspoken tension. Clark’s jaw tightened, but he acquiesced with a curt nod. “Very well. Alpha.” He turned to depart, but not before casting me a look that clearly conveyed ‘be cautious.’
As Clark disappeared into the crowd, Ethan exhaled softly. “I apologize for that. Clark can be rather… overzealous.”
“Overzealous in protecting you?” I retorted, raising an eyebrow.
Ethan’s smirk was tinged with mischief. “More like safeguarding the pack’s image. He believes I should be with someone… more suitable.”
That stung. “And I am not suitable?”
Ethan’s gaze bore into mine, his eyes smoldering with intensity. “You are more than suitable, Harper. You are… captivating.”
My heart quickened. Never before had anyone gazed at me in such a manner. Could it signify that he genuinely loves me?