Chapter 4

The sound of fists pounding on the door made Ethan's entire body go rigid, and he quickly straightened up. "Babe, you get some sleep. I need to step out for a minute."

Fury surged through me, and I glared at him. "There are so many people in this pack—do they really need you specifically? Do you even realize what tonight is? It's our mating night!"

Ethan finished dressing and walked over to me, picking up my clothes to help me into them. "Come with me then, my mate. Cynthia's parents saved my life, and I can't just ignore their only daughter when she's in trouble. So please, come with me, and when we get back, you can yell at me or hit me—whatever you want."

I froze at his words, then shoved his hands away and dressed myself. "Fine. Let's go."

I walked out without looking at him, my face cold, but I'd barely taken two steps when I felt warmth wrap around my hand. I tried to shake him off twice but couldn't, so I shot him an annoyed look.

"Babe, slow down. It's dark out here," he said, completely ignoring my anger as he held my hand firmly.

We reached the Cynthia's house in just a few minutes. Since Cynthia's parents had died young, the pack had always looked out for her, and she lived alone in a large a spacious home. The place was already packed with people when we arrived. Linda, who'd discovered Cynthia missing, rushed up to us anxiously with a note in her hand.

"Ethan, I don't want to be a burden to everyone anymore. I'm going to be with Mom and Dad now."

Ethan's brow furrowed as he read the single line, and he quickly ordered everyone to spread out and search. Soon, the entire forest echoed with people shouting "Cynthia!"

The riverbank was especially crowded with searchers, and worried there might actually be an accident, I joined the hunt. But since so many people were already searching along the riverbank, I started checking various corners and hidden spots instead—and unexpectedly found what I was looking for.

"Why is it you? Where's Ethan?" At the sound of my footsteps, Cynthia spun around with excitement, but her face fell the moment she saw it was me. She stood on a rocky outcrop with resentment written all over her face.

I laughed mockingly. "Really? An Alpha who doesn't even have you in his heart—he's worth dying over?"

Cynthia's face flushed red, then pale, and she bit out, "What do you know? Ethan and I grew up together. My family saved his life. If you hadn't stolen him away, I would've been his Luna!"

I laughed coldly. "Please. An Alpha who actually wanted you wouldn't have let me 'steal' him in the first place. Besides, he and I were promised to each other before we were even born, so if we're talking about who came first, you don't even make the list. You never had a chance before, and you definitely won't have one now. Ethan is my Alpha."

I paused, then continued, "But hey, if this Alpha ever develops feelings for you, I wouldn't mind breaking his legs and handing him over so you two can be a pair of outcasts together—that is, if you think you can handle it."

I turned to leave. She was clearly fine and had no intention of actually dying—just another girl throwing a dramatic tantrum, and I wasn't interested in playing along. But suddenly Cynthia grabbed me and whispered in my ear, "If we both fell into the river at the same time, who do you think Ethan would save—you or me?"

I froze for a second, then laughed. "Want to find out?"

Before she could react, I grabbed her wrist, jumped straight into the water, and dragged her down with me.

The freezing river water rushed into my nose and mouth, and Cynthia thrashed in panic as she choked on mouthfuls of river water.

I watched her calmly underwater and waited until she was almost out of strength before I grabbed her chin and pulled us both to the surface.

Cynthia coughed and screamed. Her face was full of terror. "You—how do you know how to swim?!"

"Why wouldn't I?" I grabbed the edge of a rock with one hand and quickly snatched her ankle with the other, yanking hard.

Cynthia shrieked as she lost her balance and tumbled back into the water. She flailed desperately, trying to grab onto anything while making muffled cries for help.

I shoved her under again. "You're too loud." After a few seconds, I let her resurface.

She kept thrashing around, and I could see Ethan already getting ready to jump in.

I gave her a quick chop to the neck to knock her out, then unceremoniously dragged her toward the riverbank.

Luckily we hadn't drifted too far from the riverbank, so I only had to swim a few strokes before I reached it.

Ethan moved to help, but I snarled at him without hesitation. "Stay away. If you touch her today, we're breaking the bond tomorrow."

He stopped in his tracks, and a flicker of amusement crossed his eyes before he pushed it down. He pulled off his jacket and walked over to drape it across my shoulders.

I was soaking wet, and Ethan's jacket still carried his body heat and his scent. That cedar aroma enveloped me instantly, calming my frayed nerves slightly.

"Honey, let's go home," he said, his voice low and coaxing.