After two weeks, I slowly began to pick up the pieces of my shattered heart. Ethan took me to his pack, a small group of werewolves who welcomed me with open arms. They were different from my old pack, more focused on family and community than on power and dominance.
I still thought about Marcus every day, but the pain wasn't as sharp as it had been before. I tried to move on, to find happiness in my new life. And then one day, Ethan took me to the local bar, where we met a group of werewolves from a nearby pack.
They seemed friendly enough, and one of them, a handsome young man named Jackson, struck up a conversation with me. He was charming and funny, and I found myself laughing and talking with him for hours. As the night wore on, I felt a sense of warmth spreading through my chest. For the first time in weeks, I felt like I could be happy again.
"Hey, do you want to go for a walk?" Jackson asked, flashing me a crooked grin.
I hesitated for a moment, unsure if I was ready for this. But then I remembered Ethan's words, and I felt a surge of bravery.
"Sure," I said, smiling up at him.
We walked through the woods together, our hands brushing against each other. As we talked and laughed, I felt myself relaxing in his company. And then, as we stood in a clearing surrounded by trees, he turned to me and took my hand.
"Alyssa, I know we just met," he said, his eyes locking onto mine. "But I feel like I've known you forever. Will you give me a chance to show you that we could be something special?"
My heart skipped a beat as I looked at him. Could I take a chance on love again? Could I trust someone else with my heart?
"I..." I began, but then I heard a twig snap behind us. It was Ethan. He came into the cleared ground.
"What are you doing here? I've been looking for you."
"He just…"
"It's fine." He said quickly and faced Jackson. "Man, what are you still doing here? You know the rules."
"You don't tell me what to do, mate. I know the damn rule."
As soon as the words left his mouth, I could see the anger flash in Ethan's eyes. "How dare you speak about her like that?" he growled, his fists clenching at his sides.
Jackson just laughed. "What are you going to do about it, pup?" he sneered. "You and your little girlfriend aren't even worth my time."
I could feel the tension in the air, like a thick fog that was suffocating me. I didn't want a fight, but I could see that Ethan was ready to defend me no matter what. And I nearly fell for that.
"Ethan," I said, touching his arm. "Let's just go. They're not worth it."
But it was too late. Jackson had already made his move, lunging at Ethan with a fierce growl.
"You fool," Ethan said. He became angry too and his eyes became red.
The two of them collided in a blur of fur and claws, snarling and biting at each other.
I tried to pull them apart, to stop the fight before someone got hurt, but it was like trying to stop a freight train. They were both so focused on each other that they didn't even seem to hear me.
It became intense and the ground started moving. I have not seen Ethan fight like that before. I couldn't stop them.
After what felt like an eternity, Jackson managed to get the upper hand. He had Ethan pinned to the ground, his jaws clamped around Ethan's throat.
"Ethan!" I screamed, but it was too late. I could see life slowly draining from his eyes as Jackson tightened his grip.
And then, with one final, gut-wrenching snarl, Ethan went still. I fell to my knees beside Ethan, tears streaming down my face as I cradled his head in my lap. "Please, Ethan, don't leave me," I whispered. "Please."
And then, to my amazement, Ethan's eyes fluttered open. "Alyssa," he said weakly. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to scare you."
I hugged him tightly, relieved beyond words. "Don't you ever scare me like that again," I said, trying to keep my voice steady.
"I won't," he promised.
Jackson fled the moment he saw him still. He spat on him before he left and said.
"He may have won this time, but I'll be back for you, Alyssa. You can count on it."
I watched him disappear into the darkness, my heart pounding with fear and anger. How could someone be so ruthless?
But then I turned to Ethan, and all of my attention was on him. "Are you okay?" I asked, searching his face for any sign of injury.
He nodded weakly. "I'll be okay," he said. "Thanks to you."
I smiled at him, feeling a sense of relief wash over me. "We should get you back to the pack," I said. "They'll be able to take care of you."
He nodded, and I helped him to his feet. As we walked back through the woods, my mind raced with thoughts of Jackson and the danger he posed. But I knew that I couldn't let fear control me. I am glad I have not gone far with him. The pain would have been more.
I had to be strong. Ethan is helping me more than I think. He's a great friend and we'll have to do more together but what made him do what he did?
What made Jackson come for me when other ladies are there?
What's happening to me? That's what I thought I should start doing.
We walk back to the pack. Ethan has been harmed. I need to tend to his wound. I need to start thinking about my life more. What's happening?