Chapter 33

Rosemary

The potion is finally ready and there’s a full moon tonight, and I can’t keep anything down. Amber’s herbs, meant to help me relax, feel utterly useless as I threw up for the third time this morning. I didn’t realize my nerves could hit me this hard. I’m trembling, not just from the nausea, but from the fear of what’s coming.

Today, Nathaniel and Dylan are returning from Russia, and I know Grace is just as on edge as I am - though for different reasons. She hasn’t seen Dylan in almost three months, and lately, she’s been more flustered than usual, making jokes about being hornier than a teenage boy discovering his sexuality. I can’t help but laugh at her bluntness, but there’s a part of me that’s afraid they won’t make it back in time for my shift tonight.

I need Nathaniel. He’s been my rock through all of this. The thought of going through the transformation without him by my side terrifies me.

Ethan and I have grown so close these past three months. I’ve seen the different sides of him - the leader, the protector, the man behind the Alpha. I’ve spent hours in his office, watching him manage his pack with strength and compassion, earning the trust and respect of everyone around him. There’s something undeniably magnetic about the way he carries himself.

When he talks about his family, his voice softens. He told me stories about his parents, the previous Alpha and Luna, who now travel through Europe after their early retirement. He talked about his brother and sister, the twins, who are currently at MIT, both of them studying Chemical Engineering. He laughed when he said how proud they made him, even though they were the ones who kept insisting he was the overachiever. And then, there are Nathaniel, Dylan, and Grace - the family he’s chosen, the people he’s trusted with his life and his heart.

But most importantly, I’ve learned about his loving side. The part of him that is open and vulnerable, just with me. We’ve spent countless nights together, talking, laughing, having sex. It’s more than just the physical connection - it’s something deeper. Slowly, but undeniably, I’ve been falling in love with him. The strange part? I’m not scared of it. For the first time in my life, I was allowing myself to be happy, and I hadn’t even realized how much I’d been missing that.

I wash my face, brush my teeth, and change my clothes, trying to shake off the sickness that seems to cling to me. I consider calling Ethan, but before I can, he walks into my room, his presence instantly calming me.

“How are you feeling, love?” His voice is soft, filled with concern.

“Like sh*t,” I admit, managing a weak smile.

“Are you sure you don’t want to see the doctor?” he asked, his brow furrowed in worry.

“No,” I said, shaking my head. “It’s just nerves… you know, about my possible death tonight.” I let out a bitter laugh, but it didn’t do much to ease the tension gnawing at me.

Ethan’s expression softens, and he comes to sit beside me on the bed. He pulls me close, his arms warm and reassuring around me.

“Don’t talk like that,” he said, pressing a gentle kiss to my forehead. “You’re going to be fine. You’re stronger than you think, and you’ve got all of us by your side. Just try to get some rest.”

I leaned into him, feeling the solid strength of his embrace, the warmth of his belief in me. It’s almost enough to quiet the storm raging inside my mind. His steady breathing lulls me, and before I know it, I’m drifting off, the weight of the day temporarily fading away in the comfort of his arms.

***

At noon, I feel Ethan gently shaking me awake. I stir from my sleep, yawning as I try to get my bearings.

“How did you sleep, love?” he asked softly.

I mumble something incoherent, still caught in the fog of sleep, and his laugh rumbles through the bed, making it shake a little. He leans down, kisses me lightly on the lips, and then, without warning, yanks the blanket off me.

“Hey! That’s mine!” I protested, grabbing for it.

“I know, love,” he grins, “but Nathaniel and Dylan called from the car. They’ll be here any minute, and I don’t think you want to greet them from your bed.”

“Okay, okay, whatever you say,” I groaned, noticing the barely suppressed smile on his face.

I get up and reluctantly start to dress. Surprisingly, I feel a lot better than I did in the morning; sleep must have helped calm my nerves. Together, we head downstairs, where Grace is already waiting, perched on the edge of the couch like she’s ready to spring into action at any second. Her eyes keep darting toward the front door, and I can feel her anticipation buzzing in the air.

Just as we approach her, the front door swings open. Nathaniel steps inside with Dylan right behind him, and before anyone can say a word, Grace lets out a squeal and rushes across the room, throwing herself at Dylan. The force of her jump knocks them both to the floor.

“This is the last time you disappear for so long, you idiot!” she half yells, half laughs, but the look in her eyes is all love.

Dylan grins up at her with pure adoration, and within seconds, Grace is pulling him by the hand, practically dragging him upstairs. I can only imagine we won’t be seeing either of them for a while.

“Hey, dude. Welcome back,” Ethan said, pulling Nathaniel into a hug.

“It’s good to be home,” Nathaniel replied, his voice filled with relief. “But I swear, I’m not touching mayo for a long time. That’s all they eat in Russia.”

Ethan laughed, and I stepped forward to give Nathaniel a hug, too. “It’s good to have you back, Nate,” I teased.

Nathaniel shoots me a dark look. “You know I hate that nickname,” he muttered, but I can’t help bursting into laughter.

“Well, seeing you guys is great, but I need to stretch my legs after that endless flight. I’m going for a run,” Nathaniel said, already heading for the door.

“That was quick,” I remark as the door closes behind him.

“Yeah, he’s always like that after flights,” Ethan replied with a knowing smile.

A thought struck me, and I blurted it out without thinking, “Maybe he has a secret boyfriend.”

Ethan pauses, turning to me with a curious expression. “Boyfriend?”

“Yeah… I mean, we’ve never really talked about it, but I just had a feeling,” I shrugged, feeling like maybe I shouldn’t have said anything.

Ethan looks thoughtful for a moment, then slightly offended. “I don’t think so. He would’ve told me if he had one.”

“You’re probably right,” I said quickly, wanting to smooth over any offense. “Just a wild guess, babe.”

Ethan’s expression softens, a playful smirk tugging at the corners of his mouth. “Babe? That’s new.”

I grinned. “I thought I’d try it out.”

“I like it,” he said, pulling me toward him.

We head back upstairs together, arms around each other, enjoying the quiet intimacy of the moment. As we pass Grace and Dylan’s room, we can hear their moans echo through the hall.