"So tell me, how did you meet him?" Sarah asked, leading me over to a quiet corner of the room. "You should know, Ethan isn't always serious with women. He even wasted years of his life with his fiancée, and he has a bit of a playboy reputation."
"I know that," I said, stopping near the window and thinking back to how Jessica had just stormed out with her suitcase. Ethan was rich and popular; it was obvious many girls were after him. "We met at the bar where I used to work. Don't worry, there's nothing going on between us. He's just... He's just a friend."
"Are you sure?" Sarah asked, her eyes narrowing doubtfully.
"Yeah, I'm sure," I insisted.
"Hey, go back to your tasks," Ethan called out, stepping over to disrupt us. "Don't annoy Tricia. She's tired and needs to rest."
"Got it, boss," Sarah teased, throwing her hands up. "I guess it's time to say bye for now. Let's talk again later, Tricia." She waved at me before following Mark and Glenn outside.
"So, how do you like it here?" Ethan asked, approaching me.
"It's warm. Like home," I said softly.
"I'm glad to hear that. Let me take you to your room."
"Sure."
We walked through the long corridor. It was so silent I could hear our footsteps echoing against the floor. My supernatural senses were sharp enough to pick up Ethan's calm, steady breathing and the rhythmic beat of his heart. We stopped in front of a heavy door. Ethan unlocked it, turned the knob, and stepped inside ahead of me. He threw open the window, letting the bright afternoon light flood the space.
The room was spacious and beautiful. A large, braided rug sat right at the doorstep, alpine pictures hung neatly on the wall, and dark wooden beams stretched across the ceiling. There was a wide, comfortable bed, a closet, a small cabinet, and a shelf lined with a few books next to a lamp.
"How's the room? Are you okay with it?" Ethan asked, turning around.
"It's fine—nay, it's great. Thanks for letting me stay here, Ethan. I already owe you so much."
"Don't even think about it. I'm sorry, but I have to head out now. I've got something important to handle. Please make yourself at home, and just tell the maids if you need anything," Ethan said, turning back toward the door. "See you later."
"See you," I replied.
The door clicked shut behind him. A heavy sigh escaped my lips as I lay down on the soft mattress. Being around Ethan made me feel safe, but I knew I couldn't always rely on him. He had his own troubles to deal with, after all. His fiancée was gone, his family was fractured, and he carried a lot on his shoulders. Once I gave birth, I needed to get back on my feet and survive on my own. It didn't really matter if I ended up living in a small, cramped house later on. A house's true purpose is to provide shelter, not to show off anyway.
Since it was still early, I decided I should take my time to familiarize myself with the new environment. More than anything, I wanted to find a way to repay Ethan for his kindness. He used to tell me at the pub that he never did anything for free, yet he was treating me entirely differently now.
I swung my legs off the bed and walked out into the hallway. The corridor felt long and seemingly endless, and walking down it alone only made it feel longer. Ahead, I saw Ethan's butler approaching. She halted right in front of me with a polite posture.
"Miss Tricia," Alicia said warmly. "Master Ethan told me to inform you that breakfast is ready. Everyone is gathering at the dining table. Please follow me."
I followed Alicia down the winding hallways to the dining room. The moment she pushed the doors open, the rich aroma of delicious food hit my nostrils. Ethan and his friends were already sitting around the long table. He smiled the second I stepped inside.
"Come, Tricia. Have a seat." Ethan stood up, pulling a chair out for me.
"Thanks." I sat down, feeling a bit self-conscious.
Ethan returned to his seat and looked around. "Since everyone's here, let's eat. Don't be shy, Tricia."
I looked around the table and saw genuine smiles on everyone's faces. It was only my first day here, but they were already treating me like a part of their family. I knew that if it weren't for Ethan and his hunters, I wouldn't have made it out of Alpha William's grasp alive. I would have been like a tiny prey animal struggling helplessly against its predator. Instead, I had been saved by a knight in shining armor, and I was deeply grateful.
I reached for my utensils, filled my plate, and started eating. I still couldn't believe how fast time was flying, or how I had ended up living under the same roof as a regular customer from the pub where I used to work. My thoughts drifted to Aaron. I still remembered my promise to him—that we would face the good times and the hard times together. But it seemed like the odds were always stacked against us. Jessica was gone from Ethan's life, and Aaron was gone from mine. We were both starting over in the wreckage of our old relationships.
Later that evening, as dusk began to settle, I noticed Ethan and his friends packing up their weapons and gear in a hurry. They looked grim, like they were preparing for war. When I asked him where they were going, Ethan didn't lie to me. He sat me down and told me the truth about his past. He needed to go to the White Wolves pack and claim the throne that belonged to him. His parents had been overthrown and murdered by his own uncle Damian—a total leech who had ruined their family.
I wanted to help him fight, but I couldn't. My place was here, tucked away in the safety of the mansion to take care of myself and the baby growing in my womb.