Arrival
1594 Words
Claire's POV
" I'm sorry, what!?” I stare at the two men in front of me as if they've lost their minds.
Logan looks between Ethan and I before he draws closer to Ethan and pulls him away a bit.
"Dude, I thought you told her.” He whispers but I roll my eyes at his lack of sense.
"I can hear you.” I half yell annoyed and they both turn to me.
"Sorry.” Logan apologizes and turns to Ethan.
"Your mother is waiting for you. And so is everyone.” He looks at Ethan pitiful before walking away.
I stare at my mate and almost gape at him.
"Are you angry?” He questions half curious half worried.
"Am I angry?” I retort and try to hold in what I actually feel is anger.
Ethan looks away a bit and we both spot a woman walking towards us.
He suddenly pulls me closer to him by the waist and I'm about to object when he whispers.
"My mother is approaching. I get that you're angry but please, we'll talk about this later.” He then holds me in a side hug before his mother reaches us.
He lets go of me and gives her a warm hug whilst I stare at him like I would a strange.
"Finally, you're back home.” She kisses him on the forehead and Ethan comes back to holding me close.
"Now who's that beautiful woman who got my impatient son waiting.” She turns her attention to me smiling and I swallow a bit.
"What is with the sunglasses." She questions and I sense a frown coming up but luckily….
"Her eyes are hurting, from the sun.” Ethan drops in and saves me. His mother nods before looking at me again.
I stare at her and the first word that pops into my head is…..wow.
I expected to be staring at a forty or fifty years old woman with grayings and wrinkles on her face but what I see is just mind blowing.
She looks young and beautiful, very beautiful. Now I know where Ethan got some of his good looks from.
I'm frozen for a bit and I don't even know how to respond but I remember something mom and Kate told me.
I remove myself from Ethan's hold and move towards her whilst she smiles.
I contemplate at bowing at her since I just learnt she's royalty but I let that thought go and reach for her right hand.
I bend over a bit and bring her hand to my forehead.
I wait for her response and just when it seems like forever she lets go of my hand and gathers me in a hug.
"Where did you learn that?" She whispers into my ears then pulls away from me smiling.
"My mother thought me.” I respond finding it a bit difficult to look her in the eyes.
"That's not only an ancient greeting for royals, but also an ancient werewolf greeting for mother in laws. I'm impressed.” She smiles wider at me and a look at her makes all the nervousness disappear.
Why was I worried about the mother again?
*
*
Ethan's POV
When I sense Claire is about to start an argument in front of maa I quickly pull her close and plead to her.
Heavens know what maa will do to me if she learns I didn't tell her of our heritage.
I hug her first and she gives me the usual kisses.
She then turns to Claire who looks at her frozen.
I consider tapping her out but she moves out of my embrace and does something I never thought she knew.
She gives maa an ancient mother in law's greeting and I smile.
My mate is just full of surprises.
Mom nods at me whilst she hugs her and I already know what that nod means.
She accepts her already. First impressions are really key to her. I'm glad Claire has won her over.
After the hug and compliment Claire moves back and I try to hold her hand but she moves away from me in a natural way that thankfully maa doesn't notice.
"We've been waiting for you for a very long while. Welcome home.” They both smile at each other and I use the distraction to pull close to her.
Her body becomes stiff a bit and I know she wants to pull away.
"I planned a small welcome party for you. Hope you don't mind?” At that statement I gape at my mother who smiles mischievously.
Claire shifts uncomfortably at the idea but she nods probably to make maa happy.
Maa turns and leads the way into the castle and that's when she removes herself from my hold.
The maids and guards are still around and probably watching so I move closer to her again.
"Please little wolf. We can fight when no one is watching.” I plead again and I seems it gets to her even though she wants to object strongly.
She lets me hold her before we reach the castle door.
The door is opened and we are welcome by the warm air of the grand hall with its beautiful ceilings and chandeliers.
I hear my mate gasp a bit and I smile to myself.
"Now I know you don't know anyone yet, so I put together just a small get together." Mom turns to smile at us whilst we stand in front of the door leading to the dinning hall.
"Actually, maa we're really tired and we would like to rest first. It was a long journey for us.” I plead with sympathy and it seems to work but she looks at Claire more concerned.
"Are you tired dear?" She holds her hand and I notice how she's already stolen my mother's heart.
"Well, I am, I mean we are but I don't want to disappoint….”
"Nonsense dear. It's important that you rest immediately if that is so. We'll have the party in the evening after you're well rested.”
"Thank you….” Claire pauses wandering what to call her.
"Please, call me Katherine.” Maa smiles then gives her a hug.
"Ethan will show you to your room, rest well. I'll see you in the evening.” She smiles before the door to the dinning hall opens then closes after she enters.
*
"Oh Gosh!” Claire exclaims when we're in the safety of our room.
She moves far away from me and I sigh.
I pictured her taking this well but who am I kidding.
"Claire….”
"No, no” She stops me and moves her hand through her hair frustrated whilst pacing around.
"I was gonna tell you.” She stops right in front of me and glares at me.
"Well that seemed to work pretty well." She retorts angrily and I sigh again.
"Okay, I wanted to tell you but I didn't know how. There was so much going on that I didn't want to scare you.” She takes in a deep breath and exhales hard before walking away from me.
"I get that you're angry, and I'm sorry.” I admit trying to get closer to her.
She stops in her tracks then turns to me.
"I'm not only angry Ethan, I'm disappointed. How can you fail to tell me something as important as this?” She asks still angry.
"I didn't know how to say it.” She scoffs then takes off her glasses and I freeze.
"Oh how about, hi Claire, I'm Ethan Stone. Alpha and ruler of a whole damn country!!!” I sense the angry coming out of her in waves but I focus more on the bags under her eyes.
"Claire…” I reach out for her but she moves away from me.
"Did you sleep the last two days?" I ask turning on worry mode.
She shakes her head at me.
"That's not what we're talking about.” She says more calmly.
I take in a deep breath then nod repeatedly.
"I didn't tell you because you weren't ready. You were dealing with a lot at the time and I didn't want to overwhelm you.” She scoffs again.
"What about the six months together. Was there anything in the way?" She questions looking me straight in the eyes.
"Look at yourself. How do you expect me to be selfish when I know you're not well.” She moves away then holds herself.
"I'm fine.” She replies strongly and I sigh again.
"No you're not. You've never been since that night.”
"I said I'm fine.” She almost yells.
"Then explain the nightmares.” I yell back and my wolf growls at me for doing so.
"I see the pain you go through every morning, and you think it doesn't hurt to see you like that? You think it doesn't hurt that you won't tell me why I clearly see you suffering and trying to hide it under a smile.”
She looks at me feeling more sorry than angry. I inhale a deep breath then let it out before reaching for her.
Thankfully this time she doesn't object.
I hug her close to my chest then kiss her on the forehead.
"I'm sorry for yelling at you. Try and get some rest." I kiss her forehead again and hold her close one last time before storming out of the room.
I need to cool down.
- Writer
