Claire’s P. O. V
After getting back from the Philippines, I barely saw Ethan. He was mostly buried in work, though he didn’t need to travel overseas like before. Danny mentioned that his duties in the Pack were keeping him busy enough, so no more far-flung trips.
Naturally, Danny stuck to me like glue, always around as if Ethan had ordered him not to leave me alone for a second.
Besides that, I hardly ever saw Lucy Torrance hanging around the packhouse. No clue what went down with them, but since we returned, things seemed a bit off between Ethan and Lucy.
“Anything else you need, Lady Halle?” Danny asked, ever so polite.
What did I just hear? It’s quite unpleasant, although I can’t outright refuse, but to be honest I don’t have much confidence in myself to get all these things full of manners.
“You gotta stop treating me like that,” I said to him. “Just treat me like you did when I first arrived. No need to be so formal with me, and don’t make me feel like I deserve special treatment.” I added.
Honestly, it was uncomfortable. I wasn’t used to all this ‘sweet’ treatment, especially since I’m not the Luna they wanted. Even Ethan had told me many times he’d reject me once I was no longer useful.
It hadn’t even been a week, but I was already dying to know why Christopher Gale wanted me dead.
“If that’s the case, I’ll have some warriors guard your door. Just let them know if you need anything.”
“Are you guys spoiling me or something?”
“Excuse me?”
“Your attitude’s different since we got back from the Philippines. Did something happen that makes you feel like you need to watch me all the time?”
Of course, it was true. Back in the Philippines, Danny answered my questions with cold indifference. We even made bets on whether he’d answer me. But now? Totally different.
“I decline to answer. If you really want to know, you could ask the Alpha directly.”
“You’re making me look bad now.”
“What do you mean, Lady Halle?”
“I also hardly see Lucy Torrance around the mansion. Has she stopped coming, or did something happen to her? Last I heard, Ethan said she was on vacation at her parents’ place. But hasn’t it been a while now?”
Danny just stared at me. I knew they were hiding something from me. I just didn’t know what. And it was driving me crazy with curiosity.
“No, I’m not that curious. You can go; I need to rest.”
I lied. What I really wanted was to figure out if Ethan was hiding something I shouldn’t know.
I walked to the balcony. The garden below always looked beautiful, like a cruel joke when I thought everything would be as pretty, while inside, I was suffering.
If I hadn’t lost the orphans and nuns, maybe being here would be fun. Safe, with enough food, and a cozy bed. We wouldn’t be freezing during the winter, huddled by the fireplace until morning.
Thinking about them, all warm here, made me happy. But it was just a dream. They all died in that horrible incident.
With all these thoughts swirling in my head, memories choked me. Tears fell without me realizing, and I started sobbing.
My body felt weak, and I collapsed. I thought I wouldn’t cry remembering them. But I was wrong. I couldn’t control myself, and my tears kept flowing uncontrollably.
“What the heck is this? What happened?”
I turned to the voice-Ethan. He’d just returned and hugged me as soon as he was close.
“Why are you crying, huh? Did someone hurt you?”
“No.”
“Then what?”
I tried to wipe my tears but couldn’t stop them. Finally, I cried in Ethan’s arms. It was humiliating. I always acted tough, but now I was a mess, in the arms of an Alpha who didn’t want me.
“Feel better?” he asked when my sobs quieted.
I pushed away from him a bit and shook my head. “No. I just got too excited thinking how nice it would be if the orphans and nuns were here with me. But they’re dead, and I can’t stay in the Pack forever.”
Ethan was silent. My words were the most foolish thing ever. Everyone knows once someone dies, there’s no coming back.
“Alright, want some dinner?”
“What time is it?”
“Five o’clock. But if you don’t want to eat, I’ll just stay here with you.” He sat beside me, gently patting my back, trying to calm me down.
I never imagined Ethan had this side. Sitting with me, soothing me while I was in such a fragile state.
“I heard you’d be home late. Why are you here now?” I asked, feeling a bit better.
“My work finished sooner than expected. So I came back and found you like this.” He answered without looking at me, just rubbing his temples.
“So, you came back ’cause you were worried about me?”
“Huh?! You’re too full of yourself.” He protested, poking my forehead with his finger. “Stop that. Come on, let’s eat. You can’t get sick thinking about them.” he said.
I laughed. Ethan was right; I couldn’t keep doing this. After nodding, he helped me up. But before he left, I called his name.
“Um, Ethan….”
“What now?”
“Is Lucy coming back?”
Ethan paused, just looking at me. After a few minutes, he finally nodded. “Of course, she’ll be back next week.”
Oh, right. What was I thinking? Lucy Torrance would return, it’s not like she’d stay away just because I’m here. I looked at Ethan’s face which was still expressionless which was better than before. Although he had become much gentler towards me, but still it seemed that nothing had changed, Ethan was still cold with a piercing gaze.
It’s just that, compared to all that, at least he was willing to take my hand, holding it until we went downstairs for dinner.