14. Full moon

Ethan Greenwood

I went to the bar to sort out a few things: bills to pay, debts to collect, inventory to check, problems, and more problems.

Even though I have plenty of resources to delegate tasks, I like to keep an eye on things myself.

My beta approaches, his expression a bit serious as he stops in front of my desk.

"Alfa."

"Hey, Nick." I said calmly while looking over some papers.

"We've got a lead on your pup." he said, narrowing his eyes slightly.

I quickly pulled my attention away from the pile of paperwork and focused on him.

"What did you find?" I asked.

"A pack of wolves. They’re hunting and selling bounties. Some of our informants saw him with a kid that matches Lorenzo’s description."

"And why would they pick him?"

"That's what we need to find out, sir."

I ran my hand through my hair. "Damn strays," I growled.

He was just a two-year-old boy, surrounded by wild wolves and criminals. The little kid I didn’t even know was my son, whom I never had the chance to see.

The fury in my eyes was obvious—I was going to rescue Lorenzo from those wolves. But it still puzzled me what they could want. Mia didn’t know about werewolves, that much was clear. But how did they find out first?

"Gather the best. The best wolves, omegas, and anyone else you can get. When the sun rises tomorrow, we’ll go after them," I ordered.

Nick gave me that knowing look I was all too familiar with.

"You’re the Alpha, Ethan. You’re really going to keep your son with a human from our pack?"

I took a deep breath. There it was—the heart of the matter.

My father had been a great leader for the pack. The best Alpha Estes Park had ever seen. He was respected here and everywhere else. His presence was undeniable, and his strength evident under any moonlight.

He always expected too much from me. And, of course, I was never good at meeting anyone's expectations.

My mother died first, and I was left in his care. Most of the time, it was the she-wolves of the pack who took care of me. My father rarely had time for me, and when he did, it was to criticize me. For a long time, all I wanted was to be a normal young man.

And I was. I went to college, dated a bunch of women. But human life was boring. What’s the point of living without shifting?

Nick, my beta, and I grew up together. The difference was, he never wanted to leave Colorado.

During my vacation in New York, I got the call. The great Alpha of the pack, my father, had passed away. I would be the next Alpha.

I knew this day would come, but not this soon. And, given our terrible relationship, my feelings were mixed. When I assumed the role of Alpha, everyone was slow to trust me, the young, reckless wolf who only thought about parties and women. But over time, I gained the pack’s trust and became cold and responsible. I was never one for many words.

And now… how could I tell my pack that I had a hybrid son? Congratulations, Ethan.

I was eager. I needed to find that child, the one who carried my blood, immediately.

"Nick, finish up those spreadsheets, please."

"Did you just say please, sir? Is it going to rain today?" he joked.

I rolled my eyes and smiled. "Cut it out. Go do the stuff I asked."

I needed to clear my head. Everything was piling up, pushing me in a way I couldn’t control. So, I went to Amber. She was always an easy escape, a she-wolf who knew exactly how to distract me. Beautiful, seductive, and with a natural talent for making me forget the world, at least for a little while.

I arrived in the woods. That place brought me peace. I loved being an Alpha and everything it gave me, but above all, I loved being a lupine.

I walked straight into Amber’s house without ceremony. No one knew about our encounters, and it would stay that way.

"My Alpha. I knew you’d return," she smiled.

"I’m a little tense. I’m sure you know just how to fix that."

As we were together, Amber did her best to capture my attention, but my mind was elsewhere. All I could think about was Mia, how she had entered my life like a storm, turning everything upside down. Every touch from the she-wolf brought a different memory of Mia to the surface, as if she were there with us, even though she was miles away. 

How I hated it.

Amber noticed I was distracted but kept going, determined to pull me back to the moment. But I was so immersed in my thoughts.

As she rode on top of me, I carelessly called out her name.

The human's name.

"Yes… Mia."

Amber immediately froze, her eyes wide with surprise and hurt.

I realized my mistake the instant it left my lips, but it was too late. I pulled away, cursing myself in silence as Amber stared at me, trying to understand what was happening.

"Who is Mia?" she whispered, her eyes misty.

"No one, Amber." "Let’s continue."

She apologized and left the room. I didn’t blame her, of course.

"Shit!" I growled.

Naked on the bed, I put my hands on my head. Suddenly, I, the powerful and cold man who had always kept emotions at bay, found myself consumed with thoughts of a half-human son and his mother, Mia Miller, who haunted my mind every second.

I needed her, somehow. But it wasn’t just desire; it was something deeper, something that made me question everything I believed about myself. The thought of Mia, rendered in my bed, finally under my control, wouldn’t leave my mind. And that tormented me.

Getting up from Amber’s bed, I quickly left the room, unable to bear the confusion inside me. I needed to run, I needed to feel the earth beneath my paws, the wind on my face, the sound of my breath mixing with the night.

Outside, the full moon shone brightly, calling to me. I felt the power of the transformation pulse through my veins, the primal need to leave my human form behind and unleash the wolf within me. I closed my eyes, focusing on the process I knew so well.

The pain was intense, but I was used to it.

My body began to contort, bones shifting and realigning with a grotesque snap. My skin stretched, heat spreading as my muscles expanded. I felt my teeth elongate, nails turning into sharp claws, as a low growl escaped my throat.

In seconds, I was on all fours, the scent of the forest and earth flooding my heightened senses. Everything seemed clearer, sharper. The wolf inside me, usually so calm and controlled, now felt restless, agitated, searching for something I still didn’t fully understand.

With a howl, I ran through the forest, each step an attempt to escape the thoughts that tormented me. But no matter how hard I tried, Mia was there, like a shadow I couldn’t ignore.