Breaking the Bond: My Pup, My Choice のすべてのチャプター: チャプター 1 - チャプター 9

Elena's POVAfter I sent the request, my mate, Ethan Hale, finally noticed me in the doorway."Elena? When did you get back? Why didn't you say anything?"He turned and walked toward me, a streak of silver from one of the stickers smudged across his temple. His deep crimson eyes were warm with an easy smile."Come on in and take a look. This is the nursery for the pup."His childhood best friend, Mia Vance, came up beside him, her voice bright and cheerful. "Elena, we spent the whole afternoon on this. Come see how it turned out."I glanced into the room. Snow-white walls, carrot-shaped throw pillows, and every outfit hanging in the new wardrobe had little rabbit-ear hoods sewn onto them. It looked less like a nursery and more like a pet memorial.Ethan turned back to Mia. "Where do you think the cradle should go? The window gets the best light, but do you think the draft would make it too cold?"Mia tilted her head and thought for a moment. "It'll be fine. Let's go with that s

Elena's POVAfter I sent the message, I went to the healer alone.At the entrance, I passed a young werewolf couple. The she-wolf was begging to go skiing, and her mate was gently talking her down."I got you tickets to that show you've been wanting to see. Let's do that first, and once you've had the pup safe and sound, I'll take you skiing."I watched the warmth between them and felt an unexpected sting.Then Ethan sent me a photo. In it, Mia was cradling Amber's memorial crystal pendant in both hands. Her eyes were still bloodshot, but there was a small smile on her lips.The message underneath read, "Mia's finally doing better. Stop giving her a hard time.""Elena."The healer's assistant pulled my attention away from the screen. "No one with you today?""No," I said.The healer opened my file and studied it for a moment, a slight furrow forming between her brows. "The pup looks fine for now, but your body's on the weaker side. When you get home, you need to rest. No stre

Elena's POVGarrett drove me to a place he'd arranged ahead of time.As the car passed through the checkpoint at the edge of the territory, he didn't ask me anything. It wasn't until we were about to get out that he glanced over, concern written across his face. "Do you need to go back to the healer for another check?""No. Everything that needed to be done is done," I said.The place wasn't big, but it felt warmer than the "home" Ethan and Mia had decorated together.I left my suitcase in the corner of the bedroom and sat on the edge of the bed, staring out at the moon just beginning to rise.My phone buzzed in my pocket. Ethan's name flashed across the screen. I looked at it for a moment, then hit decline.He called four more times. I turned the phone off entirely.Early the next morning, Garrett knocked on my bedroom door with two cups of hot herbal tea. He glanced out the window. "Ethan's downstairs. He's been standing there for about half an hour."He handed me a cup. "Wa

Third-Person POVEthan read through every line, his hand shaking around the phone until he couldn't hold it still anymore. He called Lorraine immediately."Do you have any idea what you've been saying to Mia?"Lorraine fired back without a shred of guilt. "What did I say that was so wrong? You've said it yourself—Mia cared about that pup more than its own mother."Besides, a Redpine pup is a Redpine pup no matter who raises it. I just never expected Elena to lose it."That afternoon, Mia came to the nursery. She was in a black dress, and her eyes were so swollen that she could barely keep them open. She looked as though she'd fall apart at the slightest touch."Ethan, I was wrong."Ethan didn't spare her a glance.She choked out the words. "I just couldn't let go of Amber. But I never meant to hurt Elena."Ethan finally looked at her. "Then do you know how she ended up falling in that corridor?"Mia went rigid."Because I went with you to the pet crematorium to pick up Amber

Elena's POVA year later, I finally carried the last box into the little cabin by the river bend.The place was small, just a bedroom and a living room, but the windows faced the direction the moon rose from.Garrett helped me arrange everything and glanced out the window. "The healer's clinic is close by. You won't have to go far for your checkups."I murmured my thanks. He was quiet for a moment, then added, "The healer says you're recovering well, but you still need more time to rest.""Don't worry. I'll take care of myself," I told him.He hesitated before mentioning that Ethan had been coming around again, trying to find out where I'd moved."I didn't tell him."He watched my reaction carefully as he said it. My gaze drifted to the river bend outside, its surface washed silver-gray by the moonlight."Good," I said.His expression finally relaxed. "Elena, leaving the wrong person was a good decision."After he left, I was alone in the cabin. Moonlight spilled through the