Avenging The Triplet Alphas
Chapter 9

Ethan's

POV

My breath lodged in my throat as I watched her walk through the woods. The past few months had done nothing to dull the feelings that grew inside of him with each passing day, it made no sense to deny it didn't exist anymore. My wolf pranced around with joy any time she sent smiles my way and I knew she was the one for me.

It was complicated and it was one of the major reasons why I hadn't done anything yet. We both had our demons to battle with before we faced the sizzling attraction that often hung in the air between us when we were close.

I watched fondly as Arielle in her wolf form and her fur shimmering under the glow of the moonlight participated in the ritual hunt, she was pregnant and she carried the gift of life within her, a beacon of hope and new beginnings to wash away her past that had been filled with pain and regret. However, I knew she was burdened with the weight of uncertainty. She was young and unsure about how much the birth of her pup would tilt her future forever but I was determined to make sure she saw enough reason to make my pack her permanent home.

I smiled to myself as I remembered the details of the first time I saw her, she was scared but with those green orbs of hers, I could see how defiant she was and immediately, I was drawn to her grace and resilience.

For the first time in a long while, he felt the need to protect someone. He saw beyond her delicate exterior, recognizing the fierce determination that burned within her. Intrigued by her presence and compelled by a force he couldn't explain, Ethan vowed to protect Arielle and her unborn pup.

Luciana had caught him on several occasions looking longingly at Arielle and despite his insistence that it was merely out of concern, Luciana would smile at him and pat his back without saying a word.

As the days turned into weeks, Ethan and Arielle forged a bond that surpassed mere friendship. Their connection deepened with each passing moment, as they shared their hopes, fears, and dreams. Ethan's heart, once shielded by the responsibilities of his alpha status, opened up to the possibility of love.

As the first couple of days of her arrival turned into a couple of weeks, I took her under my guidance and began to teach her the ways of my pack, hoping that she would replace it worthwhile and alluring to never leave again. I was sounding selfish at some point but I couldn't help but feel myself constantly drawn to her. Slowly, we began to forge a bond of friendship as we began to open up to each other slowly.

We would take long walks into the woods and settle upon a clearing and share memories and stories from our lives and laugh at jokes thrown at each other. Then when dusk fell, we would partake in the pack hunt or walk hand in hand back to the pack before retiring to our rooms. Each of us yearned for more time together. Our connection started to blossom even better as it grew deeper with each passing moment, an indication that she was settling in nicely just as he hoped.

My heart which had once been shielded by the duties and responsibilities of being an Alpha was beginning to open up to the possibility of love.

His pack had taken a fondness for the new wolf as well as they embraced Arielle with open arms. Her determination and desire to blend in had won them over and they sensed the radiant light that I did the first time I set my eyes on her. And just like I did, they recognized the strength and power she possessed as well as the potential to contribute greatly to their pack.

But despite my obvious attraction, I was cautious of the fact that I hadn't claimed her as my mate yet but I wasn't in a hurry.

Good things take time to manifest and I was willing to wait for the sake of Arielle.

"A penny for your thoughts?"

Arielle's voice interrupted my train of thought. She was standing in front of me now, a concerned look on her face.

"I lost track of time," I began, smiling at her. "It's nothing to be worried about."

"Are you certain?" She asked me. "You didn't join in on the hunt tonight. I've never been on a hunt without you by my side, so I can't help but think something is going on with you."

"I decided to opt out and enjoy the scenery, you know?" I said after a few moments of silence. "To sit down and hear wolves howling without being a part of it, preferring to get lost in my thoughts. A moment of self-reflection if you can call it that." "Ohh," She looked lost for words as she cradled her stomach. "Do you want me to leave you to it?"

"No," I replied quickly, "You can stay if you want to. Besides, you shouldn't be standing on your feet for that long."

She laughed at my words. "Don't tell me you're now a doctor as well as being an Alpha?"

I shrugged, a lazy smile making its way to my lips. "I've been asking questions, trying to learn whatever I can to help."

I spotted a fallen tree trunk and made my way over, beckoning her to join me as we both sat in silence and enjoyed the scenery before us.

"Do you believe in love, Ethan?" Arielle asked me. I could hear the wolves howling in the distance, I recognized that sound, I'd done it many times in the years I'd become Alpha, and the hunt was coming to an end soon.

"Yes, I do." I was oddly surprised that she asked me and I was itching to know her intention behind it. "Is there something you want to know?"

She shrugged. "You seem so cold and unresponsive sometimes, like you have this wall shielding you from whatever it is you're scared of. Sometimes, it comes down and I see you for the first time, the real you, and those are my happiest times with you."

I opened my mouth to speak but I snapped it shut, deciding to pick the next words carefully. I hadn't known she had been figuring me out during the times we spent talking and I wasn't sure if I was supposed to be impressed or feel bare.

"I replace it difficult to trust and my walls are my way of protecting myself from feeling betrayed. Keeping everyone at arm's length is my way of making sure I never replace myself in a compromising situation."

"Have you ever loved someone?" She asked me again.

"Yes, I have." I smiled softly at her.

"Where's she now? I'm sure I would've seen her around somewhere if she was still here."

"She's not here because she left." The memory of that event still left a bitter taste in my mouth and it changed the course of my life forever.

Out of the corner of my eyes, I could see her debating on her next question and I instinctively knew what was coming next as she fidgeted with her fingers on her lap. She was unsure of how to go about asking me and I couldn't blame her, my demeanor was terrifying to most people.

"You want to know what happened between us and why she's no longer here, right?" I asked her, deciding to put her out of her misery.

"I-yes, but it's fine by me if you don't want to talk about it." She spluttered. "I don't want it to seem like I'm intruding into your personal life with all of my silly questions."

"Tell me why you bothered in the first place then," I raised my eyebrows at her.

She turned my eyes away from me. "It's been months and I hardly know anything about you."

"You haven't asked me anything concerning my personal life before, Arielle," I replied coolly. "You know I wouldn't turn you down."

"I know that, Ethan but I don't know how to ask you for favors." She sighed, frustrated with herself. The words were on the top of her tongue but she didn't know how to say it to his face without sounding rude and she didn't have it in mind to offend him due to her incessant inquiries.

"What's so difficult about asking me for anything, Arielle?" I asked, suddenly interested in hearing about her difficulties.

"I am scared of you, Ethan. I don't know why and I don't know how to deal with it but you frighten me. Not in a bad way but I just don't know how to deal with you and the thought of it is scary."

I stared at her dumbfounded. "I don't know what you want me to say, Arielle. I never knew you harbored these feelings inside of you."

"I've never been treated so kindly by anyone with genuine intentions for me before and I'm scared, scared that one day I would wake up and it would all be a dream."