Chapter 37 Chapter 37
ZANE
Ella had been distant since returning home from the hospital, especially over the last few days. She was always going off somewhere and keeping secrets. I was starting to worry.
I thought she had just needed some space, but this morning she was gone again before I got up.
I quickly got up and looked around the pack house for her. I couldn’t find her anywhere.
It made me even more upset that she was leaving the pack house by herself, especially with Mariah still on the loose.
When I walked back into our room, I was surprised to hear the shower running. Somehow, she had made it upstairs without me noticing. I entered the bathroom, ready to let out my anger.
“Ella!”
Ella turned to me, shock on her face.
“Zane! Get out!” She attempted to cover herself, but the glass shower doors couldn’t conceal much.
My eyes wandered over her for a moment before I realized what I was doing and stomped out of the bathroom.
Ella stormed out of the bathroom as I sat down on the bed.
“What the hell, Zane?”
“Where were you?!”
“I was just out on the pack grounds. What is going on?” she yelled.
“What’s going on?” I stood, my voice booming.
“What’s going on is you don’t seem to care about your safety! Mariah is still out there and you’re wandering out by yourself in the early morning!”
Ella smirked.
“Who said I’m alone?”
SHE WAS WITH ANOTHER WOLF? KILL HIM! my wolf yelled in my head.
Fury flashed through my eyes, and I lunged toward her.
“Are you saying you were with someone else?”
I stood close to her, my jealousy burning as I looked into her bright hazel eyes that for now, only held defiance.
“As a matter of fact, I was. Do you really think I’d just go walking around by myself? Chill, Zane!” Ella scowled at me.
“Who the hell was he? I’ll rip his damn head off!” I boomed.
“I was with your dad, you idiot!” Ella glared up at me.
I turned and attempted to storm out of the room. I needed to clear my head.
I was beyond angry at her, and I knew I’d say something I regretted if I kept going. But I was stopped when Ella grabbed my arm.
“Zane, would you just sit down?” Ella asked softly.
“I have work to do.”
“You have five minutes. Sit down,” Ella said again, almost begging.
I exhaled and sat on the bed.
Ella stood between my legs and cupped my face in her hands.
“Zane, I was with your dad. I’ve been with your dad every morning for the last few days.”
I continued to glare, my anger still burning.
“He’s been training me.” Ella straightened herself.
“He’s been what?” I finally spoke; the shock in my voice was loud.
“He’s been training me. How to fight, how to protect myself.”
“You don’t need to do that. I can protect you,” I said quietly.
Ella smiled and ran her thumb along my cheek.
“Zane, I know you can protect me, but I also know that you can’t always be there. I don’t want what happened in the forest to ever happen again.”
I lowered my head and let out a deep breath.
“I thought you were seeing someone else. I didn’t trust you. I’m sorry.”
Ella laughed.
“You should be! You totally ruined the surprise!” I snapped my head up with a look of confusion as Ella continued, “I wanted to learn and then surprise you with my mad skills!”
I laughed and shook my head before pulling her close to me. She wrapped her arms around my neck and kissed my forehead.
Only then did I notice she was still standing there in nothing but a towel. A few stray drops of water glistened on her shoulders, and I felt myself respond to her.
I was about to lean in and kiss her when she stepped away with a flirty smile on her face. I let out a groan before lying back on the bed. She knew exactly what she was doing.
I went downstairs to let her change in peace and to talk to my dad.
“I can’t believe you lied to me!” I hollered sarcastically as I walked into my father’s office.
My dad leaned back in his chair and let out a laugh: “She told you, eh? Way to ruin the surprise!”
I laughed.
“That’s what she said. So how is she doing?”
My dad leaned forward, resting his elbows on his desk.
“I’ve honestly never seen someone catch on so quickly. Even you. She’s a warrior at heart. I think she’s determined to make sure she never has to go through that again.”
I nodded.
“She said that too. I’m glad she’s picking it up.”
Dad laughed, running his hands through his hair.
“That girl is a fighter.”
“Don’t I know it.” I rolled my eyes.
“She keeps me on my toes.”
“The best ones always do,” Daniel smiled warmly.
I could tell he was thinking of his mate, my mother. She had been gone for almost ten years, but the hole she left in my father was massive. When she died, it all but ripped him in two.
Dad snapped his head up.
“So…breakfast?”
I nodded and we made our way to the kitchen.
“Morning, Sophie,” we both chimed as we entered.
“Morning Alpha Daniel, Alpha Zane.” She smiled at us warmly.
“Where’s Ella?” I looked around the common area curiously.
“She ran to the pantry for me. She’ll be back in a minute,” Sophie replied.
“How is she doing?”
“She seems to be doing well.”
“That’s good, I know what Mariah said had really gotten to her.”
I looked at her curiously.
“What do you mean?”
“Oh…” Sophie’s eyes widened when she realized she had stepped in it.
“Well, she just…”
We both stood taller, projecting our alpha auras.
“Sophie?”
Sophie lowered her head and told us what Mariah had said in the woods that day. My father and I stood in shock, speechless even as Ella entered the kitchen.
“Good morning, all!” She smiled, handing the box of extra plates to her mother.
I gave her a small smile. How am I going to make that up to her? How am I going to convince her she’s perfect? I thought to myself as I watched her sway through the kitchen.