Chapter 236

Chapter 236
Ethan's POV

I drove to Moon Pack with a fury that made my hands shake on the steering wheel, my mind consumed with images of what could be happening to Malia in that cursed place. I didn't need any more evidence or confirmation....I was going to spiral into pieces and beat Sebastian up for taking Malia on such a deadly journey. I never fucking asked for his help, and now he had put the woman I loved in mortal danger.

When I arrived at Sebastian's residence, I could see lights on in the main house, which meant Heaven was home. As I approached the front door, I felt that familiar twist in my chest that she had always caused....even now, even after everything that had happened between us, she still affected me in ways I didn't want to acknowledge.

But this wasn't about old feelings or complicated history. This was about Malia, and I suddenly found that I didn't know how to yell the way I normally would. Instead, I felt cold, controlled, dangerous in a way that had nothing to do with supernatural powers.

Heaven opened the door before I could knock, her face immediately showing concern when she saw my expression.

"Ethan," she said softly. "What are you doing here?"

"Where is your husband?" I asked, my voice deadly calm.

She swallowed hard, clearly recognizing the tone I was using. "He's not here right now."

"It's useless to lie to me, Heaven," I said, stepping closer to the doorway. "I already know he took Malia somewhere. The question is where, and why you thought it was acceptable to let him put her in danger."

"Sebastian went to get help for Malia," she said carefully, her eyes never leaving mine. "He's trying to find a solution to the power transfer situation."

"Help?" I repeated, my voice rising slightly. "You call putting her in fucking danger by taking her to the witch's cave help?"

Heaven flinched at the venom in my voice, but she stood her ground. "Sebastian is trying to help both of you. He knows how much you're suffering without your powers, and he knows how much Malia is struggling with what's happening to her."

"Let your husband know that I can fucking solve my own problems!" I yelled, my control finally snapping. "I don't need him dragging the woman I love into supernatural politics and ancient magic that could kill her!"

Heaven actually stepped backward, her eyes wide with shock and something that looked like fear. I realized what I had done....for the fucking first time in my life, aside from the time I had kidnapped her years ago, I had just yelled at her. The woman who had once meant everything to me, who I had tried so hard to protect and cherish, and I had just screamed at her like she was my enemy.

"Fuck," I said immediately, running my hands through my hair. "Heaven, I'm sorry. I'm so sorry, I didn't mean to yell at you like that."

"Ethan...." she started to say.

"No, that was completely out of line," I continued, my voice filled with genuine remorse. "I'm just scared that something terrible is going to happen to her. I'm terrified that I'm going to lose her because of choices other people are making without consulting me."

Heaven's expression softened, and I could see understanding in her eyes. "I know you're scared," she said gently. "But you need to trust Sebastian. He would never put Malia in danger intentionally. He cares about both of you too much for that."

"Trust him?" I laughed bitterly. "He took her to the White Cave, Heaven. The same place that nearly killed you, the same place that collapsed when supernatural forces clashed there. How am I supposed to trust that decision?"

"Because it's the only place where they might find a real solution," she said firmly. "Sebastian researched this extensively before making the decision to go there. It wasn't made lightly."

"I don't care how much research he did," I said, my voice growing cold again. "The fact remains that there are news reports circulating about my lost powers, which means I need to get back to the clan and deal with political fallout. But instead, I'm here trying to figure out why my brother thought it was acceptable to take my mate into a situation that could kill her."

"The political situation isn't going anywhere," Heaven said. "But if something goes wrong at the White Cave...."

"Exactly my point," I interrupted. "Which is why I came here to confirm that Sebastian actually took Malia to the White Cave, and now that you've confirmed it, I know where I need to go."

"He went there because it's the only place to find a real solution to the power transfer," Heaven said desperately. "The witches there have knowledge and abilities that don't exist anywhere else."

"Good," I said, turning toward the door. "Because I'm going there too."

Heaven grabbed my arm, her grip surprisingly strong for someone so small. "Ethan, it's dangerous. You don't have any powers right now. What if things go wrong? What if you make the situation worse by showing up?"

"Fuck that," I said, pulling my arm free. "If it was too dangerous for me to be there, then they shouldn't have taken her to that godforsaken place in the first place."

"Please," Heaven begged, her voice breaking slightly. "Please just wait here. Let Sebastian handle this. He knows what he's doing."

"No," I said firmly, my voice carrying absolute finality. "This isn't about what you feel, Heaven. This isn't about protecting me or managing my emotions. This is about Malia now....the woman I'm in love with, the woman who is carrying my child, the woman who means more to me than my own life."

Heaven's eyes widened at the mention of a child, but I didn't have time to explain or elaborate.

"I'm going to the White Cave," I continued, "and I'm going to make sure that whatever happens there, Malia comes home safely. With or without my powers, with or without anyone's approval, I'm going to protect the woman I love."

"Ethan...."

"No more arguments," I said, cutting her off. "No more delays. No more well-meaning interference from people who think they know what's best for me. I'm done being powerless in every sense of the word."

I turned and walked toward my car, leaving Heaven standing in the doorway with tears in her eyes. I could hear her calling my name, but I didn't look back. There was only one thing that mattered now, and that was getting to Malia before it was too late.

The White Cave had taken enough from my family. It wasn't going to take her too.