Harper pov
“I must express my aversion to inversion. It is quite unsettling when you enter my room without so much as a knock. I do not appreciate it, Alpha Ethan, and I would prefer that you refrain from such intrusions,” I stated softly, my tone imbued with gravity.
I was nearly undressed when he entered, and that alone heightened my anxiety, reminding me of how Alpha Lucas desired my body. I sprang up from the bed, looking at him with a sense of despair.
” I apologize for raising my voice; I was uncertain about confronting my human emotions, given my past experiences in the pack house as a servant before you came to my aid by becoming my…” I faltered, locking eyes with him. He remained at the threshold, gazing intently into my eyes. I sincerely apologize, Harper, for entering your room unannounced.
Ethan’s demeanor softened, his eyes crinkling at the edges as he approached me. “You need not apologize, Harper. I am the one who should express regret. I lost track of myself.” His voice was low and gentle, providing a calming effect on my frayed nerves.
A lump formed in my throat as I looked up at him. No one had ever offered me a genuine apology before. In the pack house, apologies were merely a prelude to further cruelty.
Ethan’s gaze remained fixed on mine, and I felt a profound understanding emanating from him, as if he were fully aware of my thoughts. He took another step forward, his movements measured and cautious, ensuring he did not startle me.
“Harper, you are safe with me. You understand that, do you not?” His voice was a mere whisper, yet it resonated deeply within me.
My heart filled with emotion, and I nodded as a tear slipped down my cheek. Ethan’s features became indistinct as he reached out to gently wipe it away.
“Thank you,” I murmured, my voice quavering.
Ethan’s hand remained on my cheek, his touch both warm and soothing. I found myself reluctant to pull away, astonished by how much I yearned for his tender caress.
“I will always knock from now on,” he assured me, a faint smile gracing his lips.
I returned his smile, feeling a delicate sense of trust beginning to take root within me.
At that moment, Ethan’s gaze shifted to my shoulder, and his demeanor grew serious. “Harper, you’re trembling. Are you alright?”
I followed his gaze and noticed my hands shaking, my entire body still quaking from residual fear. Ethan quickly closed the gap between us, enveloping me in a warm, reassuring embrace.
For a brief instant, I tensed, caught between uncertainty and the urge to yield to his comfort. However, as his warmth enveloped me, I gradually relaxed, releasing a shaky breath.
“It’s alright,” Ethan murmured into my hair. “I’ve got you. You’re safe.”
In that instant, surrounded by Ethan’s gentle strength, I sensed the burdens of my past beginning to lift, even if just a little.
He is kinder than I had imagined. “Are you hungry?” he inquired, still holding me, his arms wrapped around me. I struggled to comprehend the emotions surging within me. “Yes,” I replied softly.
“What would you like to eat? What have you been craving?”
“Chicken!” I exclaimed, my eyes widening and my voice resonating throughout the room. Noticing the surprised expression on Alpha Ethan’s face, I quickly composed myself.
“I have never consumed chicken before, as Amelia has always been the one to enjoy it due to her engagement to Alpha Lucas. We are prohibited from partaking in such delicacies; I can only experience the aroma without ever having tasted it.”
Ethan’s expression shifted from astonishment to disbelief, ultimately transforming into profound anger, his eyes blazing with resentment. “You have never tasted chicken?” His tone was calm and measured, yet I could feel the inner turmoil.
I nodded, a blend of embarrassment and vulnerability washing over me. “As servants, we were denied such indulgences. Only the alpha’s family and their guests were entitled to such pleasures.”
Ethan’s hold on me grew firmer, his arms encircling me protectively. “You will never have to endure that again, Harper. I assure you.” His words were infused with a fierce sense of guardianship that filled my heart with warmth.
He drew back slightly, his gaze fixed on mine. “We will find you the finest chicken in the city. It will be your favorite dish from this moment forward.”
A smile blossomed on my face, and Ethan’s eyes crinkled with delight in response. He released me, opting to take my hand instead. “Let us go. We will order takeout. I want to witness your joy when you experience chicken for the first time.”
As we made our way to the kitchen, Ethan’s phone vibrated. He glanced at the screen, his demeanor darkening. “Alpha Lucas is calling. Just ignore it.”
My heart raced. “No, Ethan. You should take the call. He may need to speak with you.”
Ethan’s jaw tightened. “You are under my protection now, Harper. He cannot harm you.”
Yet the phone continued to ring, the tension between us thickening with each passing second.
“Please, Ethan,” I implored, my voice barely audible. “Answer it.”
Ethan’s eyes narrowed, but he eventually acquiesced, responding to the call. “Alpha Lucas.”
The voice on the other end was icy and calculating. “Ethan, I see you have taken an interest in my… property. Harper is mine.”
A chill ran through me at the assertion, but Ethan’s grip on my hand only tightened.
“Harper is under my protection now, Lucas. You will never lay a hand on her again.”
The conversation fell into silence, and for a brief moment, I feared that Lucas might respond with hostility. However, Ethan’s composure remained steadfast.
“We will handle him, Harper,” Ethan assured me, his tone calm. “You are safe now.”
I truly cannot comprehend why Lucas is so fixated on my affairs. I turned to Ethan and asked, “Shall we get the chicken now? I have an intense craving for it.”
He smiled, and before I knew it, his arms lifted me off the ground. “Let us procure some chicken for you, my queen.”