Chapter 18
***Ethan***
“Ethan, it’s time for you to stop this.”
“Stop what, Mother?”
“This incessant drinking. You know it does nothing to you.”
For the first time in my life, I wish it wasn’t true; the
numbness they say comes from being drunk would be welcome right now. I would do
anything to get rid of this feeling. Someone carved out an essential organ, and
I’m slowly dying. I can’t eat, can’t sleep, can’t function properly. I have
never, in my life, felt so utterly destroyed.
I finish the last of my scotch and toss the empty bottle onto
the growing heap, then grab a new one from the case at my feet. I count ten empty
bottles, and that’s just from tonight.
“Really? In that case, I’m testing the hypothesis that
wolves can get drunk.”
She turns to Charlie and Brick, both hands on her hips. “Why
are you two encouraging this behavior?” When they shrug helplessly, she turns
back to me. “It’s been almost two weeks. You gave your word that you would take
a mate of The Council’s choosing if it didn’t work out with her.”
I fix her with an incredulous stare, wondering how a mother
could be so insensitive to her own child’s pain.
“You don’t get it, do you? I love her. That’s not
just going to disappear.”
“It’s called lust, not love.”
“You think I don’t know the difference?”
“I think that you think you’re in love with her, but it’s
time to move forward.”
“With who?” I ask. “Shae? It doesn’t matter who you try to
stick me with. Casey is my true mate, and neither my wolf nor I will be
happy without her.”
“She’s a human, for Christ’s sake!” she yells.
“Don’t push me, Mother. You won’t like it if I push
back.”
“Oh? This is what love does? Makes you threaten your own
mother?”
“You know what? Just leave. This conversation is over.”
She looks completely horrified I would dare speak to her
that way, but I don’t give a fuck if her feelings are hurt. Right now, Casey is
all that matters. Only Casey. Mother squares her shoulders and storms off.
“Did you have to be so harsh?” Brick asks.
Absentmindedly, I twirl the bottle in my hand, not looking
at him.
“You don’t understand.”
“Then explain it to me. To us.”
I take a deep breath and look him directly in the eyes. How
do I make him understand? How do I convey a feeling that’s new to me. One I
don’t even understand myself? How do I make everyone understand I’m nothing
without her?
“The moon reflects light from the sun. It doesn’t make its
own. I’m the moon. She’s the sun.”