10. Ethan

10

ETHAN

I haven't slept. I spent the night prowling the woods and walking this way and that, trying to chase the sleep that eluded me. I only returned home to change after ruining my clothes shifting and spending most of the night running in my wolf form.

I've put everything on the line. My real identity. My future with the pack. And any potential life Grace and I could have together.

I've revealed a secret that's been kept by my kind for centuries. In olden times, exposing our presence to a human would have been tantamount to expulsion from the pack. But now, with our kind dwindling, mates have come from other beings, humans among them.

Grace has admitted nothing of her feelings toward me. Despite telling her she's my mate, I don't know where I stand with her. She gave nothing away last night. Except for her shock and horror at learning the truth.

I guess I can only be thankful she listened to what I had to say as long as she did. She could have easily kicked me out the moment the truth came out of my lips.

I could hear a low but determined growling inside me. My feral side has been letting his feelings known since we left Grace's house last night. Needless to say, he doesn't agree with my approach. He had wanted me to stay and try to convince Grace of the need to be together more vociferously. He wanted me to tell her of the consequences if she doesn't choose to be with me, whereas I prefer to leave her to make her own choices.

My feral side is asserting himself today more than ever. I can feel the urgency – the ticking as each second passes until my choice needs to be made. The wolf inside me isn't patient – but I've given it no choice.

Would I be ostracized by the pack? Would I turn into a rogue shifter like the one who killed Grace's friend, Becky? Or will I just become a recluse, shunned by any and all shifters I come across?

The sun is just beginning to rise as I head to the logging site, last night's confession hanging heavily on my shoulders. My mind is a whirlwind of possibilities, and the turmoil inside me is far more intense.

At work, keeping my feral instincts in check is a losing battle. The wolf paces and growls, urging me to act. I try to focus on the rhythm of my work, but my thoughts keep drifting back to Grace. The way she looked at me, the tears in her eyes—it haunts me.

I've fallen for her completely. The thought that she might fear me now, see me as a monster, is unbearable. I need to regain her trust, to prove that I'm not a threat. The only way to do that is by helping her find out who killed Becky.

During my lunch break, I pull aside some of the other shifters I work with. We gather near the edge of the forest, away from prying ears. Hutchin, one of the older shifters, stands with his arms crossed, a thoughtful expression on his weathered face. James and a couple of the younger shifters join us, their curiosity piqued.

"I need your help," I begin, my voice low and urgent. "Grace's best friend, Becky, was killed about twenty years ago. Based on everything she's told me so far, it could only be the work of a rogue shifter. Do any of you remember hearing anything about it?"

The shifters exchange glances, their expressions turning serious. James furrows his brow, deep in thought. "I vaguely remember hearing something about that," he says slowly. "There were rumors of a rogue shifter causing trouble. But I don't know the specifics."

He raises an eyebrow curiously. "Why are you asking about this now, Ethan?"

I decide to lay it all out. "Grace is an investigative reporter. She's been looking into shifter activity because she believes a shifter killed her friend. Last night, I told her the truth about us. She deserves to know what really happened."

Hutchin's eyes narrow, a flicker of recognition crossing his features. "I think I remember something from that time," he says slowly. "I was away in college several towns over. I was going through the Reckoning myself, so I never heard the details, but there were rumors. A rogue shifter had infiltrated the town and started attacking humans, even children."

I turn to him more fully. "Anything else you can remember?" I ask, my voice laced with urgency.

Hutchin shakes his head. "Not really. But I remember the fear it caused. People were on edge, worried about the rogue shifter. Humans thought it was a serial killer, of course. You might want to talk to Adrian or some of the elders who were around back then. They'd know more."

This is the first solid lead I've had. "Do you remember anything else?" I press, my voice tinged with desperation.

Hutchin shakes his head. "That's all I know. It was a long time ago, and most of the details were kept quiet. You might want to talk to some of the elders. They'd know more."

James steps forward, his expression serious. "Ethan, why is this really important to you?"

I look him in the eye, my resolve firm. "Because I care about Grace. She's my mate. And because no one should have to live with that kind of pain and uncertainty. If there's a chance I can help her find closure, I need to take it."

James pipes up. "Just be careful in your search for answers, Ethan. A rogue shifter is an unknown entity. He won't be governed by any loyalty or ties to you."

The shifters exchange glances, their expressions softening. Hutchin nods. "We'll cover for you, Ethan. Go find the answers you need."

Gratitude floods my chest, and I nod in thanks. "I appreciate it. I won't let you down."

I'm already running off before they can respond, the forest a blur around me. I need to find out more – and fast. The urgency in my chest propels me forward. I need to find the truth, not just for Grace, but for the sake of our burgeoning relationship. I can't let her down. I won't let her down.

The path ahead is uncertain, but one thing is clear: I'm willing to do whatever it takes to protect Grace and to show her that she can trust me. Our future depends on it.

I make my way through the dense forest, my mind racing with the implications of what Hutchin and the others told me. The air is thick with the scent of pine and earth, the sounds of the forest a constant backdrop. Every step feels heavy with the weight of what I'm about to uncover.

Grace's face keeps flashing in my mind. Her pain, her confusion, and the trust I desperately want to regain. I can't let her down. If finding the truth about Becky's death is what it takes to prove myself to her, then I'll do whatever it takes.

As I push through the underbrush, the sun climbs higher in the sky, casting dappled shadows on the forest floor. The urgency in my chest grows stronger, a ticking clock reminding me that time is of the essence. I need to figure out the truth. Our very lives depend on it.