• Chapter Three •
| ETHAN’S POV |
“Slow down, Cowboy. You’re going to choke if you keep eating like that.” Liam chuckled, watching Ethan stuff food into his mouth. Ethan had found out the man’s name was Jared. After Jared had pulled Ethan from the tree, Liam had gone home to fetch clothes for Jared and himself, then cooked every scrap of meat in the house before returning with the meal.
Ethan knew he shouldn’t trust these humans so easily. Poison could be hidden in the food. But hunger had overridden caution.
“Do you think his cause of death will be choking?” Liam asked Jared, who chuckled.
Ethan noticed their scents were interwoven, something he hadn’t encountered before. It wasn't the subtle similarity of siblings; it was a mingling, a shared fragrance. Liam had blonde hair and blue eyes, while Jared possessed dark brown hair and brown eyes.
“Do you think something’s wrong with him?” Liam asked, watching Ethan eat. “He smells like a werewolf, but he seemed so confused when I shifted.”
“Maybe his pack is old school, thinks shifting is unnatural,” Jared mocked. “Though he doesn’t smell like he belongs to a pack.”
“Yeah,” Liam agreed, studying the skinny wolf. “Look at him. He’d have no chance against us if we’d attacked.”
That was why they’d intervened. They’d initially intended to scare Ethan away after he’d accidentally wandered too close to their territory. But when they saw him fleeing two bears, they’d decided to help the small wolf instead.
“Hurry up, little guy,” Liam urged. “Our Alpha will be back soon, and I don’t think he’ll be pleased to see you around.”
Ethan obeyed, eating faster. Soon, he finished.
“You should get going,” Liam advised.
Ethan nodded, then trotted towards Liam, licking his cheek with gratitude. Liam chuckled, then Ethan moved to Jared, repeating the gesture. Jared grunted in response.
Ethan gave the pair a small bark before turning and trotting away. Liam waved goodbye before he and Jared turned to walk back towards their house.
“He’s such a cutie,” Liam cooed, earning an angry growl from Jared. “Someone’s a little jealous.” Liam chuckled smugly.
“I’m not jealous,” Jared grumbled. “Anyways, Hale and Alison will be back soon,” Jared mumbled, changing the subject.
“Ugh. Alison,” Liam sneered.
| HALE’S POV |
“Hey, Hale, what color do you think suits me better?” Alison asked, holding up two dresses identical except for their shade. “The blush pink or the light pink?”
Hale glanced out the car window, disinterested. “I don’t know. The one on the left, I guess.” He shrugged, returning to the scenery.
They’d just returned from a month in England. Alison had spent the time shopping and sightseeing while Hale secretly visited pack after pack, desperately searching for his mate.
“The left one?” she asked, dissatisfied. “I prefer the blush pink.” She tossed the light pink dress back into her bag and focused on the blush pink one.
“Whatever,” Hale mumbled.
“Show a little interest, would you?” Alison scoffed. “We’re getting married soon, so you should treat your fiancé and future mother of our children like a queen.” Hale scoffed again.
He loathed Alison. She was whiny and demanding, throwing fits until she got her way. Even her scent—sour milk mixed with overpowering perfume—was repulsive.
If you’re wondering why he was marrying someone he didn’t love, the answer was his father, the Alpha of Moon Valley Pack. The elder Hale wanted to retire, and the only way to do so was to ensure a strong heir. Since Hale hadn’t found his mate or produced an heir, his father forced him into an arranged marriage, demanding a child immediately after the wedding.
“Driver, pull over,” Hale ordered suddenly. The driver complied, braking gently.
“Why? What’s going on? Are you planning to kill me and dump my body here?” Alison giggled. Hale rolled his eyes.
“No. I’m just going for a quick run.”
“I’ll come along—”
“I’d rather go alone, Alison,” Hale stated, slamming the car door shut and banging on the roof a couple of times. He watched the car drive away, finally breathing a sigh of relief.
Finally, some fresh air.
He stripped off his clothes and shifted into his black wolf, stretching his limbs after remaining still for so long. He ran towards his house, ignoring everything around him. He focused on the wind rushing past his fur. He wouldn’t have to listen to Alison complain if he was running.
Halfway home, he detoured towards the pond, hoping for a few more minutes of freedom. When he arrived, he lapped at the water, enjoying the cool refreshment. He sensed eyes on him. Looking across the pond, he saw a dark gray wolf staring with its head tilted. The wolf’s fur was wet, indicating it had swum across.
‘What is a wolf doing so close to our pack?’ Wayne, his wolf, asked.
‘Who knows,’ Hale mumbled, keeping his gaze locked on the other wolf.
‘Try scaring him off,’ Wayne suggested.
‘Okay.’
Hale barked, making the other wolf jump. He growled, unleashing another bark, causing the wolf to whine and flee, tail tucked between its legs.
Hale smirked before heading back to his house.
He walked through the door and upstairs, shifting back to human and changing clothes. As he buttoned his shirt, the door slammed open.
“Hey, baby!” Alison smiled, planting a wet kiss on his lips.
“What are you doing here, Alison? Shouldn’t you be at your own pack?” Hale grumbled.
“I told the driver to bring me here so I could spend some time with my mate.” Alison giggled.
“We’re not mates, Alison. We’re simply engaged.”
“They’re basically the same thing.” Alison huffed, crossing her arms.
“Sure,” Hale responded sarcastically before noticing the fridge was empty. “Hey! Where’s all the meat?”
“Jared ate it all!” Liam shouted from the living room.
“What the hell, Liam?” Jared shouted back.
Hale sighed angrily, deciding on a peanut butter and jam sandwich.
“That fat pig. He’s doing this week’s shopping.” Hale muttered.
“I’m bored, Hale,” Alison whined, twirling a strand of hair.
“Here,” Hale said, tossing his card at Alison carelessly. “Go shopping or something.”
Alison squealed, planting another wet kiss on his lips before grabbing the card and rushing out the door.
“Sure. You can have my sandwich. I wasn’t hungry anyway.” Hale muttered as he tossed his sandwich into the trash.
He walked into the living room, where Jared and Liam were cuddling on the couch. He was about to ignore them when he caught a scent—his mate’s scent—coming from the two.
‘Our mate was here!’ Wayne shouted excitedly.
‘And she was with them.’ Hale growled, pouncing on Liam and Jared.
“What the hell, man?” Jared grunted as Hale landed on top of him.
“I can smell her,” Hale growled, sniffing Liam’s cheek. “She’s all over you two!”
“Who, weirdo?” Liam asked as he pushed Hale away.
“My mate. I can smell her all over you two!” Hale wanted to rub his head into Liam, but he knew Jared wouldn’t hesitate to intervene.
“Where is she?” Hale demanded.
“Hale, your mate isn’t a sh—” Jared stopped, making eye contact with Liam, who realized what he’d almost revealed.
“She went north,” Jared answered.
“I’ve got to go.” Hale didn’t wait for a response, shifting and sprinting into the forest.
“Why didn’t you let me tell him?” Liam asked.
“I thought it would be best if he found out himself.”