9. ETHAN

Chapter nine

ETHAN

It’s barely 5 a.m. and the house is quiet. Too quiet. The kind of quiet that seeps under my skin and makes my brain itch. Every time I shift, the pillows in the nest move as well, driving my irritation up the wall. This always happens when I’m nearing a heat—although I shouldn’t be—but anything could piss me off. Right now, it’s the fact that the house is silent and there are too many pillows.

I glare at the ceiling, grumbling at the sleek paint slathered there, reflecting the first threads of daylight filtering through the curtains. Zana’s arm is draped over my waist, her breathing slow and steady, and I try— really try—to let it soothe me. It should. It’s Zana, my Alpha, my entire fucking world. But my chest feels tight, restless, and no amount of cuddling in my nest is fixing it.

I growl as I twist again, punching a pillow when it slides under my arm and props it up the wrong way. If Zana saw me, she’d start laughing and then kiss me until I melted, forgetting all about the goddamn pillows.

I turn my head to look at her and despite everything, a little smile tugs at my lips. She looks so peaceful, her dark hair spilling over the pillow, her features softened in sleep. It’s rare to see her like this—unguarded, calm. Last night, she loved me so gently, like I was something precious. Like she could sense every jagged piece of me and knew exactly how to fit them together. Falling asleep inside of my Alpha is something I’ll never take for granted.

But now, as the morning creeps in, it’s not enough.

The ache in my chest is still there, gnawing away like a pest that refuses to leave. It’s not Zana. It’s never Zana. It’s something else entirely and I know exactly what it is. That missing piece. That someone who isn’t here. My mate , Zana mentioned.

It’s biology. It’s natural. But that doesn’t fix the emptiness. How can it? Knowing doesn’t make it hurt any less.

I carefully slip out of the nest, wiggling free of Zana’s arm. It falls back to the mattress with a soft thud, but she doesn’t stir. She’s going to be pissed that I disappeared without waking her but I just need a moment, just one to tell myself that I’m being selfish before I return and love Zana the best I can. Because that’s what she deserves.

Grabbing a pair of sweatpants and a hoodie from the pile of clothes I never bother to put away, I hurry into the kitchen. I snatch my phone and send her a message so she won’t worry too much before darting out the front door.

Went to get pastries. Be back soon. Love you.

The least I can do is bring her something nice. Zana loves pastries—croissants, especially. There’s a diner across the street with a bakery section that opens early and their chocolate croissants always make her smile. And if there’s one thing I can do, it’s make my Alpha smile.

I rush across the street, realizing I should have brought a coat—another thing Zana will yell at me for—before making it to the diner. A warm glow filters through the windows, the little place feeling like a home in and of itself. Eager to grab coffee and some breakfast, my stomach growls already dreaming of the fresh dough and perfect chocolate.

But the second I step through the door, I freeze.

The scent hits me like a wave, crashing into me so hard I almost stumble. A hint of almond and sandalwood, sweet and earthy. It’s his scent. The one I didn’t even know I’d been searching for. It wraps around me, floods my senses, and my knees nearly buckle. My cock fills in my pants and I have to reach down to adjust myself before I explode like a fucking teenager.

I bite back a whine as heat floods my system, the faint scent overwhelming my senses.

My heart races, my breath catching in my throat as I scan the diner. It’s everywhere, clinging to the air, the walls, the furniture. I can’t get enough of it. My feet move on their own, carrying me toward the back of the diner, where a shadowed booth sits tucked in the corner.

That’s when I see him.

He’s slumped against the table, his head resting on his folded arms. His midnight-black hair falls across his face in soft waves, the kind that begs to be touched. Two blueberry pancakes sit untouched in front of him, the butter melting into golden pools and a cold cup of coffee rests just within reach.

I barely notice the Alpha stepping into my path until she speaks, her tone calm but firm. “Leave him be,” she says, crossing her arms. “Reid needs the rest.”

Reid . His name vibrates through me, settling deep in my chest. My Beta . The missing piece of my world. I glance past her, my gaze drawn to the gentle rise and fall of his chest, the tension etched into every line of his face even in sleep.

“Margie, please,” I whisper, not sure if I’m asking her or him. My voice trembles as I take another step forward. “I just... I need to—”

“Kid.” The Alpha’s tone softens, but her eyes remain sharp. “You’ve got no idea what you’re walking into. Reid’s in a tough spot. If you’re serious about this, you better be ready to fight. Because trouble doesn’t just follow that boy—it owns him.”

I barely hear her. All I can see is him. The bruise on his cheekbone, dark against his pale skin. His long fingers twitch slightly where they rest on the table and my chest tightens.

“Who hurt him?” I ask, my voice sharp, louder than I intended. “Who did this?” As an Omega, I shouldn’t be talking to an Alpha like this. I shouldn’t be demanding answers but that’s my Beta sleeping in that booth and I can’t handle the pain I’ve been feeling over the last day or two. Realizing that it’s Reid’s, that some of the irritation and anger is his just makes it worse. Tears glaze over my eyes as I thread my fingers together and hold them against my chest. “Margie, who?”

Margie lets out a heavy sigh, shaking her head. “That’s not my story to tell. And it’s not one you’ll like hearing.”

I don’t care. I’ll burn the world to the ground if it means protecting him. I’ve only just seen him but that doesn’t change my conviction. “He’s mine,” I say, the words slipping out before I can stop them. “I’ll fight for him.”

The Alpha studies me for a moment before laughing. “You better mean that, love. Because he’s going to need someone who does.” She gestures to Reid’s booth before disappearing behind the counter. I wonder if I should just leave and heed the Alpha’s warning but I can’t.

Not when the object of my obsession is right in front of me.

My Omega cries out for more as I creep closer, holding my breath until I slide into the booth across from him. He stirs and then settles again, my heart beating just a little too fast in my chest. His scent is stronger here, fuller but there’s a dark edge to it that I assume comes from the bruise on his face.

“Reid?” I whisper, loving the way his name sounds on my tongue.

His eyes flutter open, a haunted hazel that locks onto mine. For a moment, everything stills. The ache in my chest eases, replaced by something warmer, something whole. Mine , my Omega repeats to me.

But then his expression shifts. Panic flares and he jerks upright. “I—I’m sorry,” he stammers, grabbing the plate of pancakes. Before I can say a word, he’s out of the booth and halfway to the door.

“Wait!” I call, stepping forward, but Margie blocks my path. Panic spreads through me as well as I try to sidestep her, whimpering when she just moves in front of me again.

“Let him go. If you chase him now, you’ll scare him off for good.”

I stop, my fists clenched at my sides, my heart hammering. “Why is he running?” I ask, my voice breaking. “Who hurt him?” The fear in those beautiful hazel eyes is etched into my memory. I’ve never seen someone so broken and terrified. He apologized to me. I hate that.

“If you’re serious about helping him, you’ll find out. Just be ready for what comes with it.”

The bell above the door jingles as it swings shut behind him and the ache in my chest deepens, the longing feeling returning as my shoulders slump in defeat. The momentary bliss is gone but I have his name.

“I’ll find him,” I promise. “And I’ll protect him. No matter what.” And I mean it. I know I’m just an Omega in some people’s eyes but that’s my Beta. My Reid. My missing piece. I’m just hoping that Zana will see it the same way.