Chapter 12

“They didn't even call for the top healer until hours after he had collapsed” Amanda's whispered revelation continued to dance around my head at any given opportunity for days that followed.

She had confided in me the next morning after Ethan's and my arrival, giving a clear explanation of just what had happened.

Dad had been addressing his council during their monthly meetups before beginning to show signs of discomfort, complaining about pains in his chest region before collapsing.

Unusual–suspicious and far from normal.

And that's why I had my eyes and ears on the betas–them and a good number of the pack members.

“You haven't touched your food.” Ethan's voice snapped me out of my head and I raised my eyes to meet his.

I hadn't wanted to leave my dad–especially with his condition still unclear. I was ready to beg Ethan if it had to–turns out my pleas weren't needed in the end.

Alpha Ethan had already made arrangements with his beta, sent a message to Ravenwood and put aside everything to stay back with me for at least a week to wait for whatever the doctors or healers had to say.

Pretending to be a couple had become the least of my problems, already a week of our stay at silvermoon drawing close.

What turned out to be even harder was having to share a room with him.

As I prepared for bed every night, I didn't just have to worry about getting plagued by the nightmares alone–no, I had the thought of Ethan's presence to contend with that.

He had sacrificed the bed without me having to say anything–a noble act, but one couldn't really be certain with him.

I mean, our last closest interaction was when he had provided me a shoulder to cry on and things had gone back to being extremely awkward and tense when I had managed to pull myself together.

We didn't talk through the nights, he gave me just as much space as I needed, successfully making himself a ghost in our chambers.

Until night fell, and he'd return to the couch in the room which served as his makeshift bed.

Zero to no hellos or good nights–except for when we found ourselves in the company of others and had to keep up our act.

And on times like now, one of the many silently suffocating meals we had to together–what made today different was the fact that he was trying to talk to me.

“I don't have an appetite.” I finally reply after a while of dead ass silence, and he surprises me with a sigh as he takes a sip of his coffee.

“You're going to fall sick yourself if you keep this up” he said, voice tight. “You barely ate dinner last night.” My eyes flickered up.

Where the hell was this coming from?

I arch my brow at his statement, trying really hard to not snort as I mentally roll my eyes.

He had to be joking, right? I mean, who died and made him my mother or caregiver?

“I'm not a child… I'll eat when I want to.” I reply in a clipped tone, watching as his eyes harden back as he nods gruffly, jaw clenching tightly.

Shoot–why had I just said that?

He was only trying to look out for me–why was his sudden shift in persona and concerned actions getting me all defensive?

My tummy clenches with regret, and I nervously begin to tap my fingers on the table, racking my head for something to say to soak up the resumed silence that I had worsened with my dismissiveness.

A knock on the door beats me to it though, and I call for the person to come in, taking note of how Ethan had now completely returned his attention to his food, eyes locked in on his phone, posture rigid.

Way to make a man feel stupid for trying to be a friend to you, Lyra…

“Good morning.” Amanda pokes her head in with a smile, to which I giddily return, ushering her in.

She walks over with a fruit bowl and sets it down on the table, bowing in respect to Ethan, who just grumbles in acknowledgement before returning her attention to me.

“You're spoiling me, Amanda” I joke as I stand up, moving my barely touched plate of bacon and eggs aside to give her space to clear up.

“I'm trying to fatten you up.” She replies with a grin, earning a giggle.

“Oh! I have a message from the betas, they're requesting for your presence in the hall.” I frown at this, Ethan's attention caught also, as he looks away from his phone.

“Do you have any idea what it might be about?” I ask, watching her pack up the plates, knowing that even if I tried to offer a hand, she'd never let me.

It's a drama we had acted out countless times over the years until I finally gave up and just let her do her thing.

What could those weaselly manipulative people want from me now?

“I sadly don't, they wouldn't say anymore…you know I'm like their least favorite person–now more than ever, but they did say you shouldn't keep them waiting too long.” She states and I snort, understanding their pettiness.

They didn't like the fact that we were so close and that my father ensured she was respected, and they especially hated that she wasn't scared to say her mind not minding her position.

Dad had never been one to maltreat the omegas or lower ranks, if it weren't for him, the betas and many other higher ranking wolves in our packs would have their way with ill treatments.

“If whatever they have to say to her is important, then they'll wait until she graces them with her presence. Let them know that my wife will be in the halls when she's ready, and I hope they're expecting me too. Whatever they want to say to her, they should be able to say to me as well.” Ethan's tone gives no space for any sort of input or buts.

Amanda nods enthusiastically at this, eyes shinning with excitement at the message she was taking back to them.

I knew Amanda long enough to tell that this sort of drama was what she lived for.

In whatever way she could, or given any part whatsoever in a setup, discussion, or message that could piss off beta Ryder and his second beta Bryce, she excelled!

She hurries out to do just as instructed, but not before winking at me.

Alone once again with Ethan, more questions that forever remained unanswered concerning the mysterious enigma of a man continued to brew.

Was he standing up for me whenever he could just because he felt obliged to my father, or was they something else he'd be getting from all of this that I was in the dark about?

What could he possibly be aiming at by wanting to accompany me to meet the betas?

Another morning–more drama, I guessed…