Claire P. O. V
I looked up when I heard Ethan’s voice from above. I thought I’d slipped away unnoticed, but I was totally wrong. There he was, standing on the balcony over the garden, giving us that same annoying, condescending look he always has.
While I sat there in silence, the Elder, an old lady, got up. She bowed her frail body and smiled as she greeted him. Honestly, I don’t want to be like her because Ethan is more of a jerk than a true Alpha.
“Why are you here, Alpha?” Octa asked, sounding all polite and friendly.
“Don’t make me repeat myself, Octa.”
Octa grinned, “Is it a problem that I’m here?”
“No one asked for your input. Go to your room, and you too, Claire Halle,” Ethan commanded again.
I was the one who held back from responding to Ethan, and it turned into a whole argument. So, I sighed, got up, and touched Octa’s shoulder. With a smile, I said,
“Come on inside. The Alpha has given his orders.” Octa smiled back at me.
But just as I was about to pull Octa up, that Old Lady decided to intervene. Octa gently pushed my hand away and shook his head, saying,
“You’ve been cooped up long enough. You need some fresh air to clear your mind. So, take your time out here. Just watch out for the Erands; run if you see them.” He patted my hand reassuringly.
It felt like I was being comforted by someone almost as old as Sister Alberta but with a straighter posture and a more solid presence than Sister Alberta, who sometimes slouched a bit.
I watched Octa walk away, heading inside, while Ethan shot me a skeptical look.
“I hope I don’t have to repeat myself, Claire Halle.”
“Absolutely. I’ll handle it without any back-and-forth.” I trust Ethan’s judgment.
I’m not sure where this newfound courage comes from, but the more Ethan tries to pick a fight, the more I feel the urge to hit back with his harsh words, making our arguments pointless.
Ethan shot me that same look-cynical and irritating. Seeing him like that just fuels my desire to get even.
“I’ll be right here if you’re still going to stand there. If not, just walk away,” I said. Instead of responding, Ethan just sighed and turned his back.
I thought he’d finally left me alone, just like I wanted. But I was mistaken. As I was settling in, Ethan suddenly wrapped his arms around me.
Even while I was wrapped up in his arms, a sudden, deafening roar pierced the air, and The Wolf Warriors bolted toward the forest. They scattered like they’d just heard an alarm, panic setting all around.
“What’s happening?!” I exclaimed, confusion flooding my mind.
“I told you to get to your room now!” Ethan yelled, shoving me toward the mansion.
But I wasn’t about to budge, especially with everyone looking so frantic, including Chen Lien, who dashed into the backyard to join us.
“Why are you still letting her stay here?!” Chen Lien’s voice was filled with anger.
She yanked me away from Ethan and insisted he take me inside the mansion, utterly unaware of what was really going on. Just then, I heard gunfire and the sound of people running in groups, followed by screams and muffled cries from the men who seemed to be caught up in a fight outside.
“Wait! What the heck is going on?” I asked Ethan as he continued to lead me deeper into the mansion.
At first, Ethan stayed quiet, almost like he avoided my questions. He kept tugging on my hand, but I noticed the elders rushing out as Chen Lien pulled me in. They told Ethan to hide quickly while they sprinted away, their hands and feet transforming into something like wolves with sharp claws ready to attack.
The whole scene felt tense, as if this pack was under some kind of threat. I stopped in my tracks, gripping Ethan’s hand and making him stop pulling me away from the chaos unfolding.
Before I could even ask, Ethan had already warned me. “Don’t ask anything. You need to hide now!” he insisted. But I frowned, determined to get him to explain.
“Who’s attacking this pack?” I pressed, not holding back.
At first, it looked like Ethan was about to grab my hand again, trying to rush me out without answering my question. I held my ground, desperate to know what was really happening.
“I told you, this isn’t a good time for hunting.”
“What are you hunting? Why is everyone there?”
“Can you just stop asking?!” Ethan snapped at me.
I felt tears welling up. Shaking and scared, I noticed the cold glare he shot my way before he raised his voice.
“Can you just talk to me without yelling?! I’m not your Luna, so why can’t you tell me what’s happening?”
“You’re not the Luna I’m after.”
Ethan spoke up without a second thought, and honestly, it left me a bit stunned, feeling like an idiot. But before I could dwell on it, Ethan grabbed my hand and pulled me forward, almost making me trip.
“Quit overthinking things,” he said as he led me away.
Just as we were about to enter a room, a Werewolf in its complete form lunged at me. But Ethan was quick, blocking the attack with his hands.
I watched as blood streamed from his hand, but it didn’t seem to faze him at all. He quickly shoved the Werewolf back, sending it flying about five meters away. Then, he positioned himself in front of me.
I was told to keep my distance from them. Ethan went into full alert mode when he noticed the Werewolf was back on its feet, looking vicious and ready to attack. He quickly prepared to strike or defend himself.
But while Ethan was fixated on the Werewolf in front of him, a window shattered, and out of nowhere, another Wolf lunged at him, slamming him against the wall. I could see his shoulder awkwardly twisted.
I let out a scream as I watched the second Werewolf sink its teeth into Ethan, its claws tearing at him.
“Run!” Ethan shouted, urging me to leave. I spun around and dashed into the room, only to find myself trapped inside.