Chapter 7 07

ETHAN

I couldn't stop pacing. Eliza's fainting spell had shaken me more than I cared to admit, but it wasn't just worry clouding my thoughts...it was fear.

She didn't know what she was doing to herself.

As soon as she collapsed, I carried her to one of the quieter rooms, away from the prying eyes of the pack. She needed to rest, and I needed a moment to think.

Mason just checked up on her, but the truth was, there wasn't much anyone could do. This was something only she could resolve by surrendering to the wolf inside her.

But how could she do that without guidance?

I clenched my fists, leaning against the wall as I stared at the door. The thought kept circling in my mind: I have to claim her.

Not just for the pack. Not just to make her Luna. But to save her life.

Maybe...maybe in our mating, her wolf would finally be released. Maybe the bond, the connection we'd share, would coax it out and stop her from fighting against it. The idea sounded selfish, even to me. But this wasn't about selfish desires, this was for her to survive.

She needed this. Whether or not she understood it yet, she needed me to act.

And I was her Alpha.

I'd been leading this pack for years, making hard decisions, bearing the weight of their lives on my shoulders. This wasn't the first time I'd had to choose between what was easy and what was necessary.

But with Eliza, it felt different.

I respected her. Respected her decisions. And yet, as much as I wanted to wait for her to come to me willingly, I didn't have the luxury of time.

Her life was at stake.

My thoughts were interrupted by a piercing scream.

The sound shot through me like a blade. I found her sitting upright on the bed, her hands clutching the sheets, her breathing ragged and uneven.

"Eliza!" I called, rushing to her side. I grabbed her, pulling her into my arms.

"It's alright," I said in a low growl. "I'm here. I've got you."

But she pushed me away, her breath coming in shallow gasps. "No," she whispered, "I...I need to go back home."

She scrambled to get up, her movements frantic, like a caged animal desperate for escape.

"Eliza, stop," I said, blocking her path. "You're not thinking straight."

"I am thinking straight!" she snapped, "I need to get out of here. I need to go home."

"You're part of the pack now, whether you accept it or not. You can't keep running from this."

She froze, her eyes meeting mine. A part of her knew I was right, even if she couldn't admit it yet.

"I didn't ask for this," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "I didn't ask to be part of...of whatever this is."

"I know," I said softly. "But it's who you are. It's always been who you are. You just don't know it yet."

She shook her head as tears welled up in her eyes. "I'm scared, Ethan."

Her admission hit me like a punch to the gut.

I wanted to tell her there was nothing to be afraid of, but that would've been a lie. She had every reason to be scared. What was happening to her was beyond her control, and I couldn't promise her that it would be easy.

But I could promise her one thing.

Stepping closer, I held her softly by her arms, trying to comfort her. "I'm with you, every step of the way. Whatever happens, we'll face it together."

For a moment, she looked like she might believe me. But then her eyes darted to the door, and I could see the fight-or-flight instinct kicking in.

She got herself out of my hold and took a step away from me. "I just want to go home...please."

I had no choice left. If she wanted to go home, I was going to get her home.

I nodded and opened the door. I offered her my hand. For a brief moment, she only looked at me. It felt like she was fighting the urge to hold my hand or not.

Sighing, I pulled my hand away and led her downstairs. Everyone was there, waiting for us to see how their Luna-to-be was doing. But I could see that their piercing gazes cut through her ease.

She hesitated and didn't even look up to meet their eyes. Instead, she just quietly walked toward the exit of the hotel, and I followed her.

Sliding into the driver's seat, I started the engine.

The drive to Eliza's house was not long. She remained unusually quiet throughout the drive, and I also didn't try talking to her.

I finally pulled up to the quaint little house and stepped out. It was quiet and calmer here. The only sounds that could be heard were those of the crickets and the rustling of leaves.

"Alright," I said, leaning against the hood of my car as soon as she stepped on the ground, "I did what you wanted me to do. Brought you home. But I'll be staying the night here with you."

But her thoughts were elsewhere. She rushed to the door and pushed it wide open. "That's strange," she muttered under her breath, "I know I locked it."

I, walking just behind her, noticed her hesitation and immediately went on alert. "What's wrong?"

She pointed toward the door. "It's open. But I locked it before I left. I'm sure of it."

"Stay here," I said in a tone, leaving no room for argument.

I stepped inside and stopped cold. The kitchen was in chaos; dishes smashed, drawers yanked open, and items scattered everywhere.

My wolf stirred, rising closer to the surface, sharpening my senses as I crept through the house.

The hall was a wreck, papers and knick-knacks littering the floor. The living room wasn't any better; cushions slashed, shelves tipped over. My jaw tightened as I made my way upstairs.

Each room told the same story: ransacked, violated, but there was no sign of anyone still there.

Whoever had done this was long gone.