Avenging The Triplet Alphas
Chapter 15

Ethan's POV

I was falling in love with her.

I didn't want it to happen but it seemed I could do nothing about it despite how hard I tried to keep a leash on my feelings, it kept on gnawing at me, forcing me to see her in a different light. It's been nearly three months since I stumbled upon her in the forest and within that period, she had grown into her own woman. Maturing beyond her years and becoming a favorite in the pack. Her pregnancy was starting to show and it added to her beauty if that was even possible or maybe my mind was just playing tricks on me, trying to force me to acknowledge how I truly felt.

She rarely spoke about her former home anymore but I knew she hadn't forgotten. Her pregnancy was a sign that she would always have a connection to her pack and a little part of him was scared that she would decide to leave one day. Oftentimes when they've spent the evenings taking a stroll through the woods, I've come close to begging her to stay here with him forever. I knew I would make her happier than she was even now, I was willing to do anything for her.

I was nearly a decade older but I didn't see her as a child like I did three months ago. I wanted her to be my lover, my wife, and my mate.

Luciana had already begun to give me suspicious glances when I stared at Arielle with longing in my eyes when she wasn't looking during dinner a few nights ago.

"It's been three months and you're still as rigid as you were before she came here."

Luciana started after Arielle had excused herself from the table to retire to bed. She had suddenly grown tired but she downplayed my worries saying it was as a result of the stress she had been through during the day. She kissed me tenderly on my cheek before hugging Luciana and sauntering up the stairs and I couldn't tear my gaze away from her till she disappeared out of sight.

"You're smitten with that girl," Luciana said this time and her voice held so much conviction that I didn't have it in me to argue with what she said so I merely shrugged.

"Whatever you say, Luciana."

"Don't give me that boy, I raised you for a few years before everything went south." She warned me sternly.

"Luciana, I—" I began but she held up a hand to silence me.

"I can't begin to understand what you felt when Mara left you and I know something broke inside of you when you saw her together."

"I don't want to talk about Mara," My expression suddenly changed as I gripped the edges of the dining table as ugly memories came flooding back into my head. "You know how I feel about that name and you dared to bring it up?"

"I'm sorry but we were bound to have this uncomfortable talk at some point."

I squeezed my shut, hating the fact that she was right.

"I know, Luciana. But can we keep it for some other time? It's too beautiful a night to ruin it with memories of my ugly past."

"You said this the last time and the time before that." She sighed. "You're a broken man and your heart is in worse condition, it's not a shame that you are. Life isn't all that smooth, you know?"

I remained silent, unsure of what she wanted me to say.

"Killing your mate is something no one should ever have to pass through but you did and through your pain, you became stronger. But it's time to let go of that pain and fear."

"Is this about Arielle?" I looked up at her. She wasn't standing anymore, she was sitting next to me.

"Yes, I've seen the way you look at her, and every time, I see the restrictions on your face as well. You want her and then you don't." She smiled at me.

I couldn't explain it to her, she wouldn't understand. I wanted to have her but at the same time, I was battling my demons and indecision as well. Several things could go wrong if I gave in to my desires and the last thing I wanted was to make this awkward between

us.

Arielle was her own woman and no matter how much I cared for her, she had to make her own decisions herself without any interference and that was what I was mostly scared of.

The urge for her child to know her fathers might force her to leave and she might never return, but that wasn't what scared me the most.

She might harbor no feelings towards me and I would end up being rejected, thereby creating an awkward situation between us, or worse, she could end up treating me the same way Mara did when she chose my uncle and what he had to offer over me.

"I don't know what I want," I finally forced myself to speak after several minutes of silence.

"Yes, you do." Luciana pushed back her chair as she stood.

But first, you have to convince yourself that Arielle isn't Mara, she never will be."

Luciana patted my arm as she walked out of the dining room, leaving me to my thoughts.

***

A week had passed since my late-night discussion with Luciana and I hadn't stopped thinking about her last words before she left, Arielle isn't Mara, she never will be.

If I wanted her to stay, I had to give her a good reason that wouldn't make her want to leave if the chance ever arises. I had to make her feel loved and make her see that I was in love with her as well, hoping that someday she would fall in love with me and become mine when we were certain that this was what we both wanted.

"I've been looking for you everywhere,"

I blinked twice, as her voice broke me out of my reverie.

"Hey, Arielle. How've you been?" I cleared my throat, hoping she wouldn't be able to figure out that I had spent the past week thinking about her as I watched her climb up the steep stairs as carefully as she could, breathing rather heavily.

How did she know where I would be, to begin with? There were only a handful of people who knew I often come here to clear my thoughts when I needed to get away from the pack and the noise.

"I've been alright, just getting used to my growing baby bump." She shrugged as she approached me. "Luciana told me where to replace you."

I nodded. Of course, Luciana would be behind this. Trust her to play the matchmaker even when I needed no help.

"I've barely seen you during the past week." She frowned slightly at me.

"I've been busy," I replied immediately.

"You've missed dinner for several nights in a row," She began, not satisfied with my answer. "You've missed our ritual walks in the woods during the evenings."

"I've been really really busy," I said, mentally slapping myself. This was the best excuse I could come up with.

"Have you been ignoring me, Ethan?" Her voice was softer this time. "You've been quite distant and I wanted to apologize if I did something to push you away."

"No, you didn't. It has nothing to do with you." I tried to assure her, there was no way I was going to tell her what was going on with me. At least, not yet.

"Do you mean that or you're just trying to get me off your back?" She asked again, her eyes filled with worry.

"Believe me on this. I'm sorry I've been missing out on a couple of things, it won't happen again without good reason, of course."

"You promise, Ethan?"

Arielle bit back a smile as I feigned a dramatic gasp.

"You mean you don't know me?" I asked, a smile tugging at my lips.

"Nope." She said, popping the p. "And to be honest, I don't care."

I watched her for a few seconds before bursting out into laughter.

She was feisty and drop-dead gorgeous as a matter of fact.

She had a lively face, a full sensuous mouth with plump cherry lips, and sparkling eyes that could change from a soft moss-green color to dark jade in moments, depending on her mood. Her skin had the perfect shade of tan, accentuated by her petite figure which was beginning to become fuller as regards her pregnancy.

Getting her to like me would be nearly impossible but I lived for challenges.

She shook my hand off her shoulder as she stared at me with a bored expression on her face.

"Let me introduce myself properly. I am Ethan, the Alpha of the Red Moon pack and grand protector of the West. Everyone calls me Alpha but you can call me Ethan." "Why?"

"You make my heart race when I hear you say my name."

I took her dainty hand into mine and kissed it, holding back my smile as she blushed.