Chapter 33 – In the Closet

(Luca’s perspective)

I barely had time to think. The second I heard Ethan's footsteps coming down the hall, I bolted. Without thinking, I dove into the closet, pulling the door closed just as the handle on Quinn’s door turned. My heart was racing, and I pressed my back against the wall of the tiny space, breathing as quietly as I could. I could see Quinn, still sitting up in bed, her eyes wide with a mix of confusion and something else—probably disbelief at the fact I’d just hidden in a closet like a total idiot.

Through the slats of the closet door, I watched as Ethan walked into the room. He looked tired, a little worn out, but determined.

“I didn’t want to leave things unresolved,” Ethan started, his voice softer than I expected. “I said some stuff earlier that wasn’t fair. And I know… I know you’ve chosen me over him, over Luca.”

Of course, he’d come back. Couldn’t leave things messy, could he? Typical Ethan.

The moment he said my name, I felt a growl building in my chest. I had to clench my teeth to keep it quiet, but Quinn glanced at the closet like she could hear my frustration from behind the door.

“If I ever meet my mate,” Ethan continued, totally oblivious to the fact I was right there, “I’ll probably feel the same way. But right now… I’m falling for you, Quinn.”

Oh, hell no.

Quinn was staring at him, and then, just as he reached out to touch her face, I felt it—the anger, the jealousy. My eyes flashed red, and the moment Quinn saw my eyes turn, she suddenly giggled. I smirked knowing I had just ruined the moment of seriousness that should have followed after Ethan’s stupid confession.

Ethan froze his hand on his neck, inches from her cheek. “Uh… what’s funny?” he asked, completely baffled.

Quinn shook her head quickly, trying to stifle the giggles. “Nothing, nothing! You just… you tickled my neck,” she blurted out.

Tickled her? Really? I couldn't help it. I mentally sent a message straight to her head: ‘If he kisses you, I swear, I’m gonna shove his head in the toilet.’

Quinn clamped her hand over her mouth, another giggle slipping out. Ethan looked at her like she’d completely lost her mind. “Are you… okay?”

“Yep, totally fine,” she squeaked, trying so hard not to look at the closet.

I was fuming. Watching Ethan, all serious, all heartfelt, like he had any right to be touching her at all. ‘I’m serious, Quinn. One kiss, and I’m putting his face in the nearest toilet bowl,’ I warned again.

She snapped back at me mentally, ‘Stop it! You’re making it worse!’

“Did you hear what I said, Quinn? I’m falling for you. And no one can change that. You don’t have to respond, but I just wanted you to know how I feel,” Ethan assured her as he kneeled in front of her.

And then, of course, Ethan leaned in and kissed her. That was it. I had it. My hands clenched into fists, and I was half a second from busting out of the closet and teaching him a lesson when I sent her one final mental shout, ‘Tell him to leave or I’m shifting and biting his head off!’

Quinn’s eyes widened, and she pulled back from the kiss, looking way too flustered. “Um, Ethan, it’s late, and I don’t want my parents to freak out if they find you in my room, so maybe you should go,” she blurted out, trying to sound casual. “I—I forgive you, okay? It’s all good now.”

Ethan blinked, confused. “Are you sure? We can talk more if—”

“No, really!” She was practically shoving him out the door now. “It’s fine, I promise. Go get some sleep.”

Ethan scratched the back of his head but started walking toward the door. For a second, I thought we were in the clear. But then… he stopped. Right in front of the closet.

Oh, shit.

He stood there for a second, turning his head slightly in my direction but looking down like he could sense something. My breath hitched, and I tensed, ready to launch out if he opened it. But then, after what felt like forever, Ethan shook his head and walked out.

We both listened to his footsteps as they faded down the hallway, followed by the distant sound of a car engine starting. Only when I heard him drive away did I finally exhale.

I pushed the closet door open and stepped out. Quinn was glaring at me, arms crossed. “You can’t just show up whenever you feel like it, Luca! What is wrong with you?”

I raised an eyebrow, leaning against the closet door like I hadn’t just spent the last ten minutes hiding like a complete idiot. “Tough. Deal with it.”

Her mouth fell open. “Deal with it? Seriously? You’re impossible!”

I smirked. “I’ve been called worse.”

She threw her hands in the air. “You hid in my closet, Luca! And then you almost got caught! What would have Ethan thought? Do you know how awkward that would’ve been?”

I shrugged. “Awkward for him. I’d be fine.”

Quinn stared at me like she was ready to strangle me. “You know, normal people knock on the front door when they want to talk.”

I chuckled. “Who said I’m normal?”

She groaned, pacing back and forth. “Unbelievable. You’re such a pain!”

“And yet,” I said, stepping toward her, “you keep laughing.”

Quinn glared at me, trying her hardest to keep a straight face. “I am not laughing!”

“You’re thinking about it.” I grinned, knowing I was getting to her.

“No, I’m not!” she insisted, but then her lips twitched, and before she could stop herself, she let out a giggle. “Ugh! Stop it! You’re the worst!”

I laughed now, shaking my head. “You know I’m right.”

She stopped pacing and pointed a finger at me. “One day, Luca, I swear—”

“Yeah, yeah,” I cut her off, stepping closer until we were inches apart. “Keep telling yourself that.”

She tried to glare at me again, but I could see the smile tugging at the corners of her lips.

“And for the record,” I added, leaning in a little, “if I’d kissed you, I’d have done it a lot better than him.”

Quinn’s eyes went wide, and she turned red. “You—”

But before she could finish, I winked and turned toward the window. “See you around, Quinn.”

And with that, I was out the window, leaving her standing there, flustered, annoyed, and definitely laughing.

Then the hit came out of nowhere. One second, I was running through the woods, feeling pretty damn good about getting out of Quinn’s room without any drama, and the next? I was slammed to the ground, face-first into the dirt.