THE FULL MOON

Ethan's POV

It’s a full moon.

I knew it was time to return back home and make sure that the wolves were all in check. I couldn't risk them breaking the peace treaty we had with the vampires, and going rogue, hurting a vampire or even a human. It was only going to make things messy especially with Liam but I can't leave without seeing her.

Elowen.

My lips curved into a smile when I remembered how squeamish she was in my arms. She is cute when she is scared but I hated the fact that I was the reason for her fear. I wanted her to feel other things other than fear. I wanted the sight of me to make her eyes lit up in excitement, exhilaration and desire, not fear.

"Alpha Ethan, when will you be leaving?" A guard suddenly showed up behind me, asking.

I twirled around from the window, frowning. "Are you trying to tell me to leave?"

"No," he immediately replied, looking away.

"I can't possibly ask you to leave," he added and I scoffed in disbelief. I'd be a fool to believe him. He wasn't only scared of me because I was the Alpha and Liam's brother, he was scared because it was a full moon and he knew what that meant for wolves.

What he didn't know was that Ian and I had more control than he thought. Ian was my wolf and unlike other wolves, our connection was different. We communicated a lot but most times we did more of arguing. At the moment, he is totally ignoring me and pretending I do not exist simply because I thought it was safer for Elowen to be with Liam than with me in the pack house.

"I'll be taking my leave soon, you have nothing to worry about but first, do you know where I can find Liam?" I asked him.

"No, I don't," he replied, shaking his head negatively and I frowned, wondering where the douchebag could possibly be.

"Thank you." Twirling around, I walked away, heading towards Elowen's room. Since Liam is nowhere in sight, I'll see her instead before I take my leave.

I got to her room and saw Hayley walking out.

"Alpha Ethan," she called, surprised to still see me around.

"Is she in?" I asked and she nodded positively.

"But she is—" I went in, not waiting to hear what she had to say and met her sleeping already. I moved closer to her bed, sitting quietly by her bed as I watched her sleep. Even in her sleep, she still looks beautiful. I reached out to touch her but stopped when she stirred in her sleep.

I probably shouldn't do that.

I smiled, pulling my hand back. Leaving her here with Liam is agonizing and heart wrenching. She is also my mate but I know she'll be safer here than with the pack. I just need to make sure the pack house is safe enough before I have her join me. I didn't want to think about how Liam will take that development when the time comes.

"Just give me a little more time, pumpkin, I'll make everything right." I placed a kiss on her forehead, holding myself back from stealing an actual kiss.

I walked out of the room and saw Liam trying to sneak away. "I saw you already Liam," I announced, making him stop.

"We need to talk."

"Sorry brother, but I have things to sort out," he smirked and I rolled my eyes, not buying his lie.

"You mean you're hiding from Merlin?" I asked and his smile dropped immediately.

"Sweetheart!" Merlin called out, finding him and Liam huffed in annoyance. I still don't understand why he is still keeping up with her when we both have a mate now. Watching him mess around with her while our mate watched, hurt, is fucking annoying and irritating but Liam will always be Liam.

"I've been looking around for you," she sulked, trying to wrap her hands around Liam but I got in front of him, pushing her aside, taking them both by surprise.

"As you can see, my brother and I have something to talk about. I'll like it if you make yourself scarce till we are done," I said, coldly and she frowned.

"What's this Ethan? Don't tell me you have a thing for me now," Liam taunted and I fiercely turned around, glaring at him.

"Never," I growled in reply.

"If that's not the case, are you jealous that I'm with Liam?" Merlin asked and I glared at her, totally irritated.

"I'm sure Liam doesn't mind. I can please you in so many ways than one," she made to touch my chest but I grabbed her wrist tightly, crushing her bones under my grip and she gritted her teeth in pain, trying so hard not to scream.

"The next time you try to touch me, I won't just be crushing your bones, I'll be crushing your heart instead," Ian took over, threatening her.

"I thought you still weren't talking to me?" I smiled, glad that he finally reacted after so many days.

"I'm still not talking to you," he sneered at me, his anger still there.

"Are you just going to stand there and do nothing Liam?" Merlin asked, unable to free herself from my grip and Liam shrugged nonchalantly.

"Don't look at me like that. It's your issue, deal with it yourself. Show yourself out when you both are done, I'm busy," Liam twirled around, leaving and she gawked at him in disbelief.

"You're dumb if you think you're anything other than a slut he can fuck whenever he is horny," I smirked and she glared at me, looking offended.

"You're nothing special, Merlin and you should know your place."

"You don't get to tell me what to do, Ethan, you're not my Alpha," she retorted, trying to act tough.

I chuckled darkly, pulling her closer and staring deep into her eyes.

"I might not be your Alpha but I won't hesitate to kill you if I see you lay a single finger on my pumpkin or be the reason she's in pain," I threatened, making her scared.

"You won't break the rules," she garbled, shuddering in fear.

"Do you really want to test that theory?" Ian asked, my eyes dark and she gulped, not saying anything in reply.

"I guess as much," Ian replied, going silent again.

"I won't repeat this again, Merlin. Stay away from Elowen and stay away from my brother if you wish to remain alive," I said coldly, releasing her hand.

“Fuck you, Ethan!” Shecussed, squirreling off right after and I watched her leave, frowning.

Turning around, I decided to find Liam. It was almost midnight and I knew it was time I left.

"Here I was thinking you would have left," Liam muttered under his breath as I walked into his workshop to meet him painting.

"I told you we need to talk," I replied, glaring at him from the door.

"It's almost midnight, you should rush home and try to keep your dogs under control. We can't have them running wild, can we?" He asked, not sparing me a glance and just continued painting.

"Adrian will keep them in check in my absence," I replied. I'd rather be there to do it myself but having this conversation with Liam is of great importance. Adrian, who is my beta, would just have to fare in my absence.

Liam continued painting, not saying anything. He is intentionally trying to rile me up but I am not going to give him the satisfaction of seeing me angry, not this night.

"Liam, we need to talk about Elowen!" I repeated coldly, not giving up and he hummed in response, looking less bothered and it made me furious. I angrily stomped towards him, interrupting his painting.

"I said we need to talk about our mate, Liam!" A growl rumbled in my chest. I glared at him and he frowned, his eyes still on the painting.

"You almost ruined the painting."

I gaped at him in disbelief. Was he being serious right now?

"It's Liam, you shouldn't be surprised," Ian said, rolling his eyes.

"If you want his attention just destroy whatever has his attention already," Ian suggested. I didn't want to start a fight with him but Ian was right. Liam is an asshole and the only way I am going to have his full attention is if I destroy whatever currently has his attention.

I turned around, about to destroy the painting but then I froze at the sight before me.

"Beautiful, isn't it?" Liam smirked wickedly, standing beside me.

"What's this Liam? Why are you painting Hayley in blood?" I asked, facing him and he shrugged, picking up his brush.

"I had a brief vision where I saw myself killing her."

"Your visions are back?" I gasped, surprised at the return of Liam's power.

"That's not what is important. I think Hayley is trying to betray me."

I frowned, turning my eyes back to the painting.

"Why will Hayley try to do that?"

"Don't you see it?"

"See what?" I furrowed my eyebrows at him, confused.

"Look at the painting more carefully," he instructed and I turned my gaze back to the painting, looking at it more closely like he instructed till I saw it.

"No way," I shook my head in disbelief, refusing to believe it

"Yes, Ethan. Hayley is going to help Elowen to escape."

*******************************

Liam and I hid in the shadows, waiting for Hayley to show up.

"How can you be so sure that she'll try to escape tonight?" I asked, facing Liam, frowning.

"Just like my vision and the painting, it was also a full moon. My guts tell me they'll do it tonight," he replied, his eyes fixated on one spot.

There were sudden movements and Hayley appeared from the opposite direction just like Liam's painting, wearing a cloak.

I gasped, “she really showed up.”

"I told you it was going to be tonight," Liam smirked devilishly, stepping out of the shadows and Hayley froze in fear, seeing him.

"But she wasn't wearing a cloak in your painting," I muttered under my breath, coming out of hiding as well.

"Alpha Liam, Alpha Ethan, what are you doing out here this late?" She asked keeping a neutral face.

"We should be asking you that instead, Hayley," I replied, frowning and she gulped, an air of fear and trepidation surrounding her as Liam simply circled her, saying nothing.

"I liked you, Hayley. I really did," Liam stopped in front of her, the look on his face, murderous.

"Alpha Liam what's going on?" She glanced between us looking confused amidst her fears.

"Drop the act Hayley or I'll be forced to kill you faster," Liam threatened. Hayley's fear suddenly dissipated and her face morphed into a smile, taking me by surprise. She no longer looked confused. She was still a bit scared but she did a good job at hiding it.

"Fine, you caught me, what are you going to do?" She asked.

"Why are you doing this Hayley?" I asked, not understanding her one bit. She has been nothing but loyal to Liam, I didn't understand why she was trying to help Elowen escape.

"I'm making things right. Her existence is nothing but a mistake and I'm doing everybody a favour by getting rid of her."

"You bitch!" Liam suddenly grabbed her by the neck, choking her and Elowen chose that period to show up, her eyes widening in horror when she saw us.

"Hayley!" She yelled and rushed towards him.

"Stay back, Elowen!" I ordered, using my alpha's authority and she froze where she stood, unable to move.

"Liam, don't kill her. We should find out what she is after first," I faced Liam trying to stop him from killing her. If he kills her, Elowen is only going to hate us more.

"Liam," I called, calmly, trying to reach out to him. It was working until Hayley suddenly whispered some words in his ears. My eyes widened in horror, as I saw Liam's eyes turning black totally.

"No!!!" I tried to stop him but Ian suddenly went berserk with rage as well, taking over and I was forced to shift. Liam forced his claw inside her chest, clutching her heart and even in death, she smiled.

"Die!" Liam ripped her heart out and Ian ripped her head off.

"No!!!! Hayley!!!" Elowen yelled, breaking free from my command and rushing forward.

"No, Elowen." I couldn't stop her, Ian was in control and just like Liam he was still livid with anger.

“Ian, you need to stop!” I begged him, knowing what comes next but he totally ignored me. Liam and Ian growled, stepping in front of her.

"Mine!"