Ethan’s P. O. V
I saw her walking away with Danny. She looked quite thin compared to the last time I saw her. I’m not sure if she lost a lot of weight or not. The servants also said she’s been eating too little lately-much less than when we were in the Philippines.
I still remember how she bought so much food that it drained quite a bit of my savings account just to fill her belly during those days in the Philippines.
“Ethan, you remember our meeting with Sir Huggess is in an hour, right? Why don’t we hurry?” Lucy’s voice shattered my focus.
I quickly shifted my gaze from Claire. I knew Lucy would be furious if she realized I was being too excessive.
“I get it. What about the preparations?” I asked to her.
“My assistant will handle what Danny was supposed to do.”
Ah, holy crap! I should’ve just sent Gilbert along with the strongest Warriors to guard Claire and that old woman in the forest, not Danny, so I wouldn’t make Lucy this angry.
“Danny has far better skills than Gilbert. If the Rogue Wolves attacked, he could find my location just by sniffing out my remaining scent on the streets.” I explained something that sounded logical, even if just barely, and Lucy might not even believe me.
But I had to take control of the situation. If I didn’t want to be controlled by anyone, then I had to control them first. And Lucy Torrance could never do that to me, even though she was my fiancee.
“I’m just doing what I have to.” I replied. “Wouldn’t it be more beneficial to keep her with me to gain more leverage over Christopher Gale?” I said to Lucy, hoping to convince her.
She didn’t respond. She just stared at me suspiciously, making me a bit uncomfortable. So, I walked away from her.
Honestly, I was really not in the mood to travel today. I wanted to stay home all day. But that’s not possible, because this meeting is crucial for my Warriors. The traditional weapons and Wolvesbane antidote he produces are vital to reducing injuries. This collaboration can’t stop just because I’m worried about Claire.
What did I see earlier? Why did I feel like something was different about Claire? But what?
“Hey, Ethan.”
Lucy suddenly called me by name. Not by my title as Alpha, like she usually did. This was too unusual, as it was the first time Lucy had done something like this, after Claire started living in the Packhouse with us.
“Hm?”
“Why do you pay more attention to her now? Are you falling for her?”
I didn’t want to answer that question. Ever since I found out that Christopher Gale wanted to take her from me without agreeing to my terms, I haven’t wanted to give her to that fake Alpha. I wanted to keep her by my side, regardless of whether she was my Luna or not.
“You didn’t answer me. So it’s true you love her, right?” Her questions became more intense. I knew she disliked Claire even more now that I often stayed close to her.
“Stop saying ridiculous things.” I still tried to show nothing. Including my feelings, which had changed since she and I slept together in the Philippines. “Even if I love her, it’s just a means to reach my goal.”
“If it’s just a means, you should’ve done it quickly, not dragged it out and kept her here.”
“You don’t know anything about business. So why do you keep talking without knowing what I really want?” I said emphatically, hoping she’d stop arguing, but I was wrong. Lucy kept going.
“I know you’re lying to me!” She growled, glaring at me. “If you didn’t love her, you wouldn’t bring her with you when I’m not around, getting closer day by day! Do you think I’m blind? Just because I stay silent doesn’t mean I don’t know what you’ve been doing with her!”
Lucy punched my chest several times, and it hurt because she used her wolf strength. I didn’t expect this to happen. But, I felt nothing for Lucy after meeting Claire. It seemed like all my feelings and attention poured out to her.
Not wanting to argue any longer, I grabbed her hands tightly and told her if she didn’t stop, I’d send her back to her Pack without permission to return to mine.
“You’re just a bastard who can only threaten!” she cursed.
Alright, I might be a bastard who can only threaten, but isn’t a threat more useful than killing?
“Sit down. There are more Pack matters you need to know instead of complaining about unnecessary things if you want to be my Luna.” I said without tolerance.
Hearing that, Lucy pulled her hands away, still glaring at me.
I knew Lucy and her long-time desire to be my Luna, even though she knew I wasn’t her Mate and she wasn’t my second chance mate. She still insisted we bond so we could be mates after marriage, but I was sure it wouldn’t work.
“I want you to reject her soon.” Lucy repeated her demand.
“Let’s talk about this after we finish our work.”
“You can’t keep avoiding this topic, Ethan.” She growled again. I knew her anger wouldn’t stop with words.
“I’ll give you three days to do this because I don’t want to see her around the packhouse much longer.”
This was out of my prediction. Usually, I could control Lucy, but suddenly, I lost my grip. It wasn’t that I was incapable, but something was affecting her.
I guess I need to meet Sir Torrance soon. I don’t want my plans disrupted by that bastard. Whether he’s an Alpha or not, I won’t let anyone ruin things.
On the way, Lucy and I had nothing to talk about because if either of us opened our mouths, it would just lead to an argument. Besides, why do I feel so worried about Claire? Is she okay out there?