Three
1384 Words
I was more concerned about my mark than my state of undress. Ethan's expression turned to one of panic, a muttered oath escaping his lips as he took in the sight of me.
“Camille,” he whispered urgently, rushing towards me. With a sense of desperation, he crouched down and grasped my arms firmly, aiding me as I struggled to stand upright.
“Are you alright? Where does it hurt?” His concerned touch sent a wave of weakness through me, causing my knees to tremble. I felt tingles prickle across my skin, a sigh of relief escaping involuntarily. His presence brought a sense of comfort that made everything seem a little brighter.
I wasn't certain of any actual injury, my attention remained fixed on Ethan's deeply concerned eyes and the furrowed lines of his face. His strong hands provided stability as he drew nearer, his presence causing my breath to catch in irregular rhythms. I found myself yearning for his touch to linger indefinitely.
I studied his face intently, my gaze lingering briefly on his soft, full lips before I looked away. I was cautious not to send the wrong message. Building trust with him didn't equate to wanting to kiss him.
“I'm fine,” I murmured softly, breaking the silence before Ethan could close the distance further. Another step from him and my resolve would surely come crashing down.
"Please be more cautious," Ethan cautioned, his expression furrowing with concern. Abruptly, he released his grip on me and cleared his throat.
“I can't bear the thought of you getting hurt again,” Ethan admitted softly, his gaze drifting down to my recently sewn-up shoulder, where the skin looked red and inflamed. There were patches of dried blood, and the nurse had been careful not to disturb them too much.
Ethan gently brushed aside my soaking wet hair, his touch sending a shiver down my spine as his fingers grazed delicately over my skin.
“I'll recover soon,” I assured him, attempting to divert his attention away from my shoulder. “I just need to regain my strength.”
Nodding solemnly, Ethan clicked his tongue. “We'll monitor it closely. There's some food downstairs if you're hungry.”
He must have noticed my hunger; I was practically famished. I was certain he could hear my stomach rumbling incessantly while I soaked in the bath. Ethan hesitantly headed downstairs as I dressed, slipping into his clothes. Standing before the full-length mirror, I observed how Ethan's attire engulfed my frame, yet I found comfort in its ample coverage.
Quietly descending the staircase, I caught sight of Ethan deftly arranging what appeared to be a hearty pasta dish, his smile welcoming me as I eased into a seat at the table. Positioned opposite each other, our knees nearly brushed against one another, though I maintained a subtle distance. Despite relishing the memory of our intimate closeness, I was intent on preserving clarity of mind and avoiding any distraction it might bring.
“Would you mind sharing how you ended up alone in the woods?” Ethan inquired casually, his attention momentarily on his food as he began to eat.
“I was quite surprised when Noah informed me they'd located you. Lone wolves are typically males,” I admitted, swallowing nervously.
I prayed silently that he wouldn't see through my carefully guarded facade. “Um, my parents were killed by rogues when I was three,” I admitted softly.
Ethan's expression darkened with concern. “You've been on your own since you were three?”
Furrowing my brow, I clarified, “No, I moved in with a family friend, but she passed away when I was fourteen. Since then, I've been taking care of myself.”
It was a half-truth at best. My parents hadn't died at the hands of rogues. They had made the painful decision to give me up because of my gift, which made me different, feared by the Enclave clan, who they believed would retaliate against our pack.
Afterward, I did move in with someone else. My parents handed me over with little explanation. Her name was Pearl, an elderly human who had once been mated to a pack member. After his passing, she had relocated.
Ethan gripped his fork tightly, frustration evident in the way the metal strained under his grip, the sound catching my attention mid-chew.
“Can we discuss this another time?” I murmured, sensing that pressing further would only escalate Ethan's distress. It also bought me a reprieve to gather my thoughts on the details I anticipated he would inquire about.
He nodded in agreement, exhaling deeply, and gently nudged his knee against mine in a reassuring gesture. My heart constricted at the touch, stirring a mixture of emotions within me.
“Yes, I think that would be best for now. I don't want to dwell on the idea of you being alone,” Ethan murmured softly, his appetite suddenly diminished as he picked at his food.
“How would you feel about us sharing my bed tonight? If that's too much, I completely understand. There's a couch in the bedroom where I can sleep instead, if it would make you more comfortable.”
His question hung in the air, and I drew in a deep breath, my response coming almost instinctively before I could fully process it.
"I don't mind sharing the bed with you." The words slipped out before I could reel them back in, leaving me flustered. The prospect of Ethan's close presence was bound to complicate things further. I berated with myself inwardly for having to have made that decision without much thought. I must have been insane.
After our late dinner, we were already prepared to go to bed, prompting me to change into Ethan's pyjamas and slip under the covers. I watched with anticipation as Ethan extinguished the lights, shedding his shirt but keeping his jogging bottoms on.
In the dimness, I couldn't resist stealing glances, eager to take in Ethan's toned and sculpted physique, admiring his undeniable beauty. Despite my curiosity, I maintained my distance on my side of the bed as Ethan settled in, turning to face me. I deliberately fixed my gaze on the ceiling, avoiding any further temptation to look his way.
“Are you feeling alright?” Ethan asked, checking in on me. I nodded once, exhaling a sigh.
“Yeah, just really tired,” I lied, hoping he'd quickly fall asleep so I could avoid any inadvertent contact that might reveal my mark.
“You're so beautiful,” Ethan unexpectedly blurted out, his voice soft as he studied me.
“I didn't expect to have such a gorgeous mate,” he added quietly. I smiled, unused to receiving compliments. Usually, I was too preoccupied with survival. His words sent a flutter through my stomach.
“Just wake me up if you need anything,” Ethan murmured softly, shifting closer to me ever so slightly. When I didn't reciprocate, he offered a half-smile before settling onto his back and closing his eyes.
It took only about five minutes for Ethan to drift off to sleep. I had heard that being near your mate could make falling asleep easier, and though I longed to do the same, anxiety gnawed at me. I couldn't shake the fear that he might notice the mark on my hand.
With a frustrated huff, I shifted onto my side, my gaze inadvertently falling on Ethan's serene face. Gone were the furrowed brows that had marked his demeanor all evening; now, his features were relaxed, his lips slightly parted as he breathed evenly in sleep.
Without conscious thought, I gently moved my unmarked hand closer to him, letting my thumb glide softly down his face. His smooth skin surprised me, eliciting the familiar tingling sensation I had felt earlier. I let out a sigh, hoping fervently that Ethan wouldn't wake up.
I wasn't sure how I would explain the impulse to stroke his face while he slept. It was purely instinctual, and that realization frustrated me deeply.
Shaking myself out of my trance, I moved even further away from Ethan, aware that in his sleep, he had drawn nearer to me.
I braced myself for a long night ahead.
- Writer
