Chapter Four Secrets in Plain Sight
1279 Words
Ethan paced in his office, ignoring the pile of papers on his desk. All he could think about was Antonia. Her scent, her voice, the way her pulse raced when he got close.
A knock at the door interrupted his thoughts.
"Come in."
Elias entered, closing the door behind him. "We need to talk."
"If this is about Antonia again…."
"Of course it's about her." Elias rested on the bookshelf. "You're playing with fire, Ethan. Taking a teaching position just to get close to her? Are you out of your mind? The pack is talking."
"Let them talk."
"It's not just talk. It's a concern." Elias lowered his voice. "You are our Alpha. You can't afford to be distracted by some human girl."
Ethan's eyes showed anger. "Watch it, Elias."
"You know I'm right. What's your endgame Ethan? She can't be your mate. She's human."
"I don't know, okay?" Ethan ran a hand through his hair. "I just know I feel drawn to her."
"And what happens when she finds out what you are? What we all are?"
"I'll cross that bridge when I get there?."
Elias sighed. "What about Raoul? His pack has been spotted near the eastern border again."
"I know. I have doubled the patrols."
"Maybe you should be out there instead of here playing professor."
Ethan hit his fist on the desk. "I can do both, Elias."
"Fine." Elias stopped leaning on the bookshelf. "Just remember what your priorities are."
After Elias left, Ethan slumped into the office chair.
His Beta was right, and that only made him angrier. He had responsibilities to the pack. But what he felt for Antonia was undeniable.
His phone buzzed. It was a text from Maya, his ex: "I heard you're teaching now. That’s an interesting career change."
He ignored it. Maya had made her choice when she left him for Jade, another Alpha. Her pregnancy for him was the straw that broke the camel's back.
He had found someone else that his heart beats for and he was going to pursue her, no matter what it took.
Back at the dormitory, Antonia stared at the history textbook, trying to focus. She had read the same paragraph three times.
"This is ridiculous," she muttered and closed the book.
Her phone buzzed with a text from Maxine "Changed your mind about the party yet?’’
She smiled and replied "I’m still thinking about it."
Another text quickly followed. "Pretty please? Tyler specifically asked if you were coming."
That made Antonia pause a bit. Tyler seemed nice at the bonfire, but she wasn't looking for anything romantic yet.
"I’m not interested in dating right now," she texted back.
"Who said anything about dating? Just come and have fun!"
A knock on her bedroom door interrupted her reply to Maxinne.
"Dinner's ready," her dad called.
Downstairs, Sheriff Rivers had set the table with spaghetti and chicken soup.
"Smells amazing," Antonia said, taking a seat.
"Don't sound so surprised." He replied. "I can cook more than just eggs you know."
"Since when?"
"Since YouTube cooking videos." He took some pasta on his fork. "So, how's school going?"
"Good. Classes are interesting." She thought about mentioning Ethan but shook it off.
"Have you made any friends aside Maxine?"
"Hmm, just a few. There's a party this weekend, actually."
Her dad's eyebrows rose. "A party?"
"Relax Dad. It’s just some students hanging out."
"Where?"
"Dad," she sighed. "You're not going to go all sheriff on me, are you?"
"I'm just asking as your father."
"It's at some guy Tyler's house. Maxine wants me to go."
"Will there be drinking?"
"Maybe but I won't. I Promise."
He studied her for a moment. "You're an adult. I trust you would make good choices."
"Thanks, Dad."
"But I want the address. And I want you home by midnight."
"One a.m," she bargained.
"Fine. One a.m." He pointed his fork at her. "And if anything feels off, you call me immediately."
"Yes, sir."
After dinner, Antonia texted Maxine: "Count me in for Saturday."
Maxine replied with lots of excited emojis.
Antonia was elated as well.
Wednesday's history class was tense. Antonia could feel Ethan's eyes on her throughout the lecture, though he maintained a professional distance.
When class ended, she gathered her books quickly, planning to leave with the rest of the class.
But it didn’t work, Ethan caught her trying to sneak away.
"Ms. Rivers," Ethan called. "May I have a moment, please."
Several students looked back curiously as Antonia approached the podium.
"Yes, Professor?"
"Your outline." He held up a sheet of paper. "You forgot to include your thesis statement."
She was confused but took the paper. "I didn't submit my outline yet."
Ethan's face remained neutral, but his eyes showed a different message. "Check it again."
She looked at it and saw that it wasn't her outline at all, but a note. "We need to talk. My office. 3pm."
She looked up sharply. "I'll include it right away."
"Good. You can see me during school hours if you need help."
At 3 P.M. sharp, Antonia stood outside Ethan's office, debating whether to knock.
This was crazy.
Meeting a professor alone in his office was one thing, but meeting Ethan Mallory, the man who made her heart race for reasons she couldn't explain. It felt dangerous in an entirely different way.
Before she could decide, the door opened.
"I could hear you breathing," Ethan said quietly. "Come in."
His office was spacious but simply decorated. It had just a desk, bookshelves, and a leather couch by the window.
"Have a seat," he motioned to the chair across from his desk.
"What is this about?" Antonia remained standing. "If it's about the class…."
"It's not about the class." Ethan closed the door. "It's about you….and me."
"There is no 'you and me.'" Antonia replied sharply.
He stepped closer to her. "You feel it too. I know you do."
Antonia moved back. "Whatever I feel isn't important. You're my professor."
"That is temporary."
"It's still inappropriate."
Ethan ran a hand through his hair, a gesture she was beginning to recognize as frustration. "I know how this looks. I just... I needed to see you. To talk to you."
"About what?"
"Have you ever felt like you were meant to meet someone? Like the universe planned to bring you together?"
Antonia crossed her arms. "Are you always this intense with women you've just met?"
A smile formed at his lips. "Only with you."
"Look, I don't know what's going on here Professor Mallory, but….." Antonia replied confused.
"I'd like to take you to dinner."
She blinked. "What?"
"Dinner, you and me, at a restaurant."
"That's... that's against university policy."
"After the semester, then." Ethan replied.
"That's months away."
"I'm a patient man."
Antonia shook her head. "This is insane. You don't even know me."
"I'd like to change that." He replied.
"Why? What makes me so special?"
Ethan's expression softened. "If I told you, you wouldn't believe me."
"Try me." Antonia challenged.
He seemed to consider his words carefully. "Let me just say I feel a connection to you that I can't explain. And I think you feel it too."
"I have to go," she said, finally not sure of what to say.
Ethan nodded, stepping back. "Think about what I said, about dinner."
"I'll think about it."
"Antonia? Be careful at Tyler's party this weekend."
She froze. "How did you know about that?"
"It’s a small town, just... watch your back."
"Is that a warning?" Antonia asked bewildered.
"No." He replied with a small smile
"Are you going to be there?"
"No. But I'll be nearby if you need me.
- Writer
