6. Ethan

6

ETHAN

T he rays of the sun penetrate my closed eyelids. I grimace as I slowly open my eyes. The sun is already bright against the blue of the sky. I try to shift to my side when I feel a weight against my arm, halting my movements.

Grace .

I take a surreptitious inhale of her sweet-smelling hair, and some of the strands tickle my nostrils as I take in her scent. I'm processing the smell, trying to imprint it onto my memory. Her back looks smooth and supple, her right shoulder and arm tucking the blanket across her chest. I resist the urge to run my arm against her skin for fear of waking her.

Last night was the best I've had in a long time. The best I've ever had, if I'm being honest. I could scarcely fathom how a woman of Grace's beauty would agree to go out – and even make love – to me.

Grace's body fits mine like a glove. We'd danced to a rhythm as old as time itself. More than her sweetness, I feel as though her body has imprinted herself into mine. My soul recognizes hers, and my feral side finally feels sated and whole.

If I had any doubts yesterday about who she is in my life, today, I have none. She's my destined mate. And I'm hers.

Yet, despite this certainty, a lingering doubt remains.

Shifter mates still have a choice, especially those who aren't of our blood. My mood turns sour at the realization, and my wolf side snarls silently in my head.

Slowly, I slip my arm away from Grace's warm figure, deciding to go to the kitchen to gather my thoughts. Her nearness is too tantalizing, and I need some space between us to think. I have a choice to make as well.

I can admit who I am and what I feel, risking rejection and hurt.

Or I can keep them to myself, allowing her and my chance at happiness to slip through my fingers.

I slip on some boxers and paddle quietly away from the bedroom. My inner wolf is howling in protest inside my head. I forcefully admonish him. It's too loud and too early in the morning for this.

Remembering everything that Grace shared yesterday, I frown. There are some questions that I need answered. I have the day to mull things over.

I start making coffee, the rich aroma filling the kitchen. I grab some eggs and bacon from the fridge, trying to focus on the simple task of making breakfast. But the pull of my feral nature is returning, stronger than ever. My wolf is restless, and I can feel the itch under my skin, the urge to shift and run wild.

Just as I'm cracking the eggs into the pan, I hear Grace stirring in the bedroom. A moment later, she appears in the doorway, her hair tousled and eyes still half-closed. She's put on her clothes from last night, and though sleep-worn, she looks delicious.

"Morning," she says, her voice husky from sleep.

"Morning," I reply, trying to keep my voice steady. "I was just making us some breakfast."

She glances at the clock on the wall and her eyes widen. "Oh no, I'm late for work! I have a meeting with Adam Straker and he's going to give me so much shit for being late."

I can't help but chuckle at her panic. "Well, breakfast can wait. You should get going."

Grace rushes to gather her things, but before she leaves, she turns to me and gives me a passionate kiss. Her lips are soft and warm, and for a moment, the world fades away.

"I want to see you again," she says, breathless. "Maybe tonight?"

"Definitely," I reply, my heart pounding. "I'll be waiting."

With one last smile, Grace hurries out the door, leaving me standing in the kitchen, my thoughts in a whirlwind. The feral itch comes back in full force the moment she's gone. My wolf is clawing at the surface, desperate for release.

I spend the day working, swinging my axe at trees with a wild intensity. Each swing is a struggle to control my wolf, to keep the beast at bay. The thought of Grace's research on shifters troubles me deeply.

She's on the verge of discovering the truth about our existence, and the threat of a rogue shifter is not a mild concern. Rogue shifters are dangerous. They've allowed their feral side to control their instincts. Though they can still function within society, they're not governed by societal norms. They have no morals – killing without thought. They can attack anyone. The closer Grace comes to uncovering who the rogue shifter is, the more likely she will succeed in putting herself in harm's way.

By the time I finish work, I'm barely holding it together. My wolf is restless, pacing within me, clawing to break free. The feral side of me is growing stronger, harder to control. I need to talk to someone who understands, someone who can help me figure out what to do. And only one person can provide them.

As I head home to clean up, anticipation and dread churn within me. I know I need to tell Grace the truth, but she may not react favorably.

I decide to swing by the Tooth and Claw bar after work. Adrian, our pack Alpha, might have some advice. He's always been a steady presence, a guiding force for the pack. If anyone can help me navigate this, it's him.

The sun is setting as I make my way through the forest, the familiar path to the bar calming my frayed nerves slightly. The trees cast long shadows, and the air is cool and crisp. The scent of pine and earth fills my lungs, grounding me.

I arrive at the Tooth and Claw, the old wooden structure standing resolute against the encroaching night. The bar is a haven for shifters, a place where we can be ourselves without fear of judgment or discovery.

Pushing open the heavy door, I'm greeted by the warm, familiar scent of beer and shifters. The low hum of conversation fills the air, and I spot Adrian sitting at a corner table, nursing a drink. His sharp eyes meet mine, and he gestures for me to join him.

"You look troubled," he says, his voice calm and steady.

"I am," I admit, taking a seat across from him. "I've found my mate."

Adrian raises an eyebrow. "That should be good news. So why do you look like you're about to tear someone's head off?"

"It's complicated," I say, running a hand through my hair. "She's human. And she's investigating shifters. She's getting close to the truth, and there's a rogue shifter out there. I'm worried she's going to put herself in danger."

Adrian nods, his expression serious. "Finding a mate is crucial to stabilizing your instincts and maintaining your humanity. But you need to be officially bonded for it to quell your rising feral nature."

"I know," I say, frustration boiling inside me. "But how can I bond with her without revealing what I am? What if she rejects me?"

Adrian leans forward, his gaze intense. "Ethan, you can't keep this a secret forever. If she's truly your mate, she'll accept you for who you are. But you need to be honest with her. It's the only way to find stability. And to remain with the pack. However, you have to guarantee she can keep the secret of our existence. If she can't, she won't be deemed worthy by the pack."

Adrian is right. I can't keep this a secret forever. Grace deserves the truth, and I owe it to her to be honest, even if it scares her off.

"Thanks, Adrian," I say, standing up. "I'll figure it out."

"Good luck," he replies, giving me a nod. "And be careful. Rogue shifters are dangerous. Keep Grace safe."

I nod. Instead of leaving, I decide to stay at the bar for a while, nursing a drink. The warmth of the whiskey burns a path down my throat, momentarily distracting me from the turmoil inside. The low hum of conversation around me feels distant, as if I'm in a bubble of my own making.

I swirl the amber liquid in my glass, watching the way the light catches and refracts within it. The decision weighs heavily on me, and I know I can't delay it much longer. Grace is too important, too special. I need to protect her from the rogue shifter, but I also need to be honest with her. It's a delicate balance, and one wrong move could shatter everything.