8. Ethan

Chapter 8

Ethan

-Bones- Imagine Dragons-

Every single time we leave the house with Grace, I feel like I’m going to war. My senses are on high alert, each sound amplified, each movement scrutinized to the point where I’m almost paranoid. It’s a constant battle between the urge to protect and the fear of what might happen if I let my guard down.

After witnessing the accident that nearly claimed Grace’s and Nicolai’s lives from her perspective, my concern for her safety has reached new heights. Why didn’t she tell us her fear of being in vehicles was so severe?

“She doesn’t want to be coddled any more than you already do, asshole,” my wolf growls at me in my head. His words are a sharp reminder of the balance we must strike between protection and independence.

“I don’t coddle her. I’m keeping her safe,” I fire back defensively, my gaze flicking to the visor mirror to steal a glance at Grace in the backseat.

“She just has to lose her temper, and she can kill all of us with her alpha bark,” my wolf continues, his tone smug as he reveals a piece of ancient knowledge I never knew existed.

“I’m guessing you didn’t know that, huh, tough guy?” my wolf taunts, and I’m left reeling, my mind racing to process this newfound information.

“Do the others know?” I ask as I watch Grace engrossed in a game on her phone.

“We’re telling them now. It’s not for human knowledge. It goes against our covenant,” my wolf replies, his words carrying a weight of responsibility I hadn’t expected.

I can sense the moment Nic’s wolf shares the revelation with him. He looks at me, his eyes flaring for a moment before returning to normal. All I can do is nod, the weight of the secret settling heavily between us. I motion back to Grace, who remains blissfully unaware of the conversation unfolding around her.

The secret chat among the guys lights up like the Fourth of July, questions flying from all directions as we grapple with this newfound knowledge given to us by our wolves. It’s a responsibility we hadn’t asked for, but one we’ll carry with us to ensure Grace’s safety and happiness, no matter the cost.

“Darlin’?” I say softly, careful not to startle her.

Grace slowly looks up from her game, the dull glow of her wolf present in her eyes as she stares at me. Her gaze holds a mixture of resignation and determination, and my heart aches at the weight she carries.

“She already told me they told you. They broke a sacred trust between the wolf spirits. It’s knowledge that was only supposed to go to me. But I need training,” she explains, her voice tinged with a hint of vulnerability as she admits her need for guidance.

“Nic, Griff, and I will start on that with you when we get home. Just remember, you can kill with a word. So please be careful,” I say, trying to offer reassurance despite the turmoil churning inside me. Why am I being so hesitant? What’s wrong with me?

“It’s what she needs, you stubborn ass,” my wolf’s voice fills my head suddenly, cutting through my doubts like a knife. The words hit me like a punch to the gut, a harsh reminder of the responsibility I bear.

Grace tilts her head, staring at me as if she heard my wolf’s words. “Wolfie, do not hurt your human half,” she warns gently, her eyes taking on a golden glow before pulsing slightly darker.

“Thanks, now you got me in trouble...” my wolf mutters before retreating to the recesses of my mind, leaving me with a sense of unease.

“How did you know?” I turn to face Grace, puzzled by her uncanny insight.

“You don’t think we can hear them?” Grace shakes her head, a small smile playing on her lips. “I hear more than you think. Or should I say, we hear more than you think.” Her words send a shiver down my spine. It’s a reminder of the depth of our connection and the secrets we share, even when spoken in silence.

“Do you mind if I ask how it works?” Nic’s voice breaks the silence, his tone unexpectedly gentle, catching me off guard.

Grace hums softly, her eyes flickering with a primal energy that sends a shiver down my spine. “My wolf hears everything. She’s connected to the pack in ways I don’t understand,” Grace explains, her words carrying a weight of ancient wisdom. There’s a pause, a hesitation, before she continues, her gaze shifting as if she’s grappling with something beyond our comprehension. “There’s only so much I am permitted to say. But just know I will always know when I am needed,” she adds with a reassuring smile, seamlessly transitioning back to her game as if nothing out of the ordinary had occurred.

As we enter the pack lands of what was Wolverton, Grace sits up, her demeanor shifting, her voice taking on a continuous growl. “I’m going to be challenged,” she announces, her words resonating with a primal authority.

“By who?” Nic interjects before I have a chance to voice my concern.

“Dustin’s beta... Joseph, whatever his last name is,” Grace replies dismissively, waving her hand in the air as if to brush off the impending confrontation.

“He hasn’t lost a challenge, darlin’. Let me fight in your place. Hell, let either of us fight for you,” I implore, reaching back to grasp her hand.

“If he challenges me, then I will fight him. He may come for you when I announce I am naming you Alpha of what was the Wolverton pack,” Grace declares, her lips curling into a slow, menacing smile. “After all, challenging a female looks weak, but challenging another alpha? That’s a different story.” Her words hang in the air, charged with a potent mixture of determination and defiance, as we brace ourselves for the inevitable confrontation that awaits us.

We pull up in front of what used to be the alpha house, and the presence of two elders, Jakob, and Christos, greets us as we open the car doors. “Glad you could make it,” Jakob says warmly as we exchange handshakes.

“There’s a lot of unrest among the pack members. Some couldn’t believe that Dustin would betray the treaty, others praise him for what he did. It’s really a mixed bag here,” Christos explains, his voice tinged with concern as he assists Grace out of the car.

I watch Grace closely, her expression smooth and emotionless as she surveys the town. I know that look in her eyes; she’s gearing up to make a move. Grace positions herself between Nic and me, pulling us close to her. “Howl with me,” she commands before throwing her head back, unleashing the most haunting tone I’ve ever heard. Nic joins in, adding a middle tone to the howl, and I wink at the elders before adding the deep bass of my wolf’s voice into the mix.

At the end of our song, we listen carefully, the anticipation thick in the air. One by one, the pack members answer, filling the space with their own melodies. Grace smiles and rests her head on my chest, her arms wrapping around my ribs as Nic kisses the back of her head. “They’re coming.” Grace says as she nuzzles my chest.

We can feel the moment the pack members draw closer, the energy in the air shifting, pulsating with life. It’s as if the very atmosphere has come alive around us, responding to the call of our united howl.

Grace’s quick thinking places her between Nic and me, a strategic move to shield herself from our overprotective instincts. With her in the protective barrier, we can afford to remain relaxed, trusting her ability to handle the situation.

Joseph, with his malicious intent thinly veiled, is the first to step forward, his words dripping with hostility. “Come to absorb another pack?” he sneers, his eyes flicking over us with disdain.

Grace’s laughter rings out, cutting through the tension like a knife. With a swift motion, she pushes us away from her, standing taller and more confident. Tilting her head from side to side, she commands in a voice that’s not her own, but that of her wolf, “Kneel.” The power in her tone is unmistakable, driving Joseph to his knees as if pushed by an unseen force.

“Witch... She’s a fucking witch. Kill her, it goes against the treaty,” Joseph screams, rallying his pack mates into action as they close in on us.

“You know very well, Joseph, she is the Lunar Wolf, and they possess ancient powers we don’t. She’s not a witch,” Christos interjects, attempting to quell the rising tension.

Just as Grace moves forward, we catch movement off to the side. Nicolai reacts instinctively, grabbing Grace and pulling her back, while I face the threat head-on. In a split second, I intercept the approaching wolf, catching him mid-air and seizing him by the throat. Compared to the wolves from Wolverton, he seems smaller, weaker, but no less dangerous. He thrashes in my grip, desperate to break free, but I hold firm, refusing to let him slip through my grasp.

Grace’s eyes lock with mine, a silent understanding passing between us. Without hesitation, I step forward, my movements swift and purposeful. In one fluid motion, I snap the wolf’s neck. The crack echoing in the tense silence of the clearing as his body drops to the ground with a heavy thud.

The crowd stirs, murmurs rising like a low hum, but Grace raises her hands, commanding attention with a single gesture. The air crackles with anticipation as she addresses the gathered wolves, her voice carrying authority and determination.

“I have decided that for now,” she begins, her words cutting through the tension like a blade. “Ethan will be the Alpha here. We will hold Alpha trials to choose a new leader from within the pack.” Her mention of the ancient rite sends a shiver down my spine, memories of Tristan’s ascension flooding back.

Her gaze falls upon Joseph, still kneeling before her, and her tone hardens. “The pack will pick who they want to go through the trials,” she declares, her voice ringing out with conviction.

Crouching down before him, Grace fixes Joseph with a piercing stare, tapping her temple as she speaks. “I know your intention, Joseph. Your wolf squealed on you,” she says, her words a chilling reminder of her uncanny intuition.

As she rises to her feet, I extend my hand, and she accepts it, curling into my side. Together, we stand as a united front, unwavering in our resolve. “Jakob, throw him into the jail they have here,” Grace commands, her voice firm as Nic moves to restrain Joseph with industrial cuffs. Despite his protests, Grace remains unmoved, her confidence unwavering.

“I can’t shift!” Joseph yells, desperation creeping into his voice.

“Your wolf is not happy with you and will not grant you his form,” Grace retorts, a hint of amusement dancing in her eyes. “You want to kill me, and he won’t let you. He knows the good I intend for your pack.”

Grace hugs me tighter, and I press a kiss to her forehead, feeling a surge of pride and admiration for my mate. What she lacks in physical strength, her wolf more then makes up for with her unwavering determination and cunning. Together, we’ll navigate the challenges ahead, stronger than ever before.