Healing the alpha

Chapter seven

The tension in the cabin was as thick as the scent of herbs hanging in the air. Claire kept her arms crossed, leaning against the nearest wall as Ethan and Marisol pored over a worn map spread across the cluttered table. Their voices were low, murmuring about territory lines, alliances, and threats Claire didn’t fully understand yet—but it wasn’t for lack of trying. Every time she asked a question, Marisol’s replies came laced with a patience that felt more condescending than kind.

Claire’s eyes drifted to Ethan. He stood close to Marisol, too close for Claire’s liking. She hated the way her stomach churned at the sight of them together, as if the ease between them was a club she hadn’t been invited to join.

“Lucas won’t stay in one place for long,” Marisol was saying, her finger tracing a line on the map. “If he’s working with a larger group, they’ll keep moving to avoid detection. You’re going to need more than just brute strength to take him down this time.”

Ethan nodded, his jaw tight. “I know. That’s why I came to you.”

Marisol smirked. “You always did come running when things got messy, didn’t you?”

Claire couldn’t hold back any longer. “And how often does this happen, exactly?” she asked, her voice sharper than intended.

Both Marisol and Ethan looked up, their gazes meeting hers. Marisol tilted her head, amusement flickering in her green eyes. “Often enough,” she said breezily. “Ethan has a knack for getting himself into trouble.”

Claire forced a smile, though it felt more like a grimace. “Well, I guess it’s good he has people like you to bail him out.”

Marisol’s smile widened, but she didn’t reply. Instead, she turned back to Ethan, brushing a stray curl from her face as she said, “I’ll see what I can find about Lucas’s movements. In the meantime, you might want to teach your… companion a thing or two about survival. She looks like she’s ready to bolt at the first sign of danger.”

Claire pushed off the wall, her hands curling into fists. “I can handle myself, thanks.”

“Oh, I’m sure you can,” Marisol said, her tone dripping with mock sincerity. “But handling yourself and surviving against someone like Lucas are two very different things.”

“Enough,” Ethan said, his voice firm. He stepped between them, his gaze flicking to Claire before settling on Marisol. “We’re not here to argue. Can you help us or not?”

Marisol shrugged, her smirk softening into something more serious. “I’ll help. But you need to understand—this isn’t just about Lucas anymore. If he’s gathering allies, it’s because he has a bigger plan. You’re going to need more than my help to stop him.”

Ethan nodded. “We’ll do whatever it takes.”

Marisol’s eyes lingered on him for a moment before she turned away, gathering a few books from a nearby shelf. “I’ll reach out to some contacts. In the meantime, stay out of trouble. And try not to get yourselves killed.”

With that, she disappeared into another room, leaving Claire and Ethan alone.

Claire exhaled sharply, her frustration bubbling over. “She’s charming.”

Ethan gave her a look. “Marisol has her way of doing things. Don’t take it personally.”

“Oh, I don’t,” Claire said, her voice laced with sarcasm. “I’m sure she treats all your ‘strays’ the same way.”

Ethan sighed, running a hand through his hair. “Claire, this isn’t a competition.”

“Feels like one,” she muttered, crossing her arms again.

Ethan stepped closer, his expression softening. “You don’t have to prove yourself to Marisol. You’re here because you’re part of this now, like it or not. And I trust you, even if she doesn’t.”

Claire’s chest tightened at his words, her anger ebbing slightly. “It’s not just her,” she said quietly. “It’s… everything. I feel like I’m drowning in a world I don’t understand, and every time I try to keep up, I’m reminded of how out of place I am.”

Ethan reached out, his hand brushing her arm lightly. “You’re doing better than you think, Claire. Trust me.”

For a moment, Claire held his gaze, her frustration fading into something else—something warmer, more uncertain. But before she could say anything, Marisol returned, a thick book in hand.

“All right,” she said briskly, interrupting whatever moment might have passed between them. “Let’s get to work.”

And just like that, the tension returned, but this time it was laced with determination. Whatever Lucas was planning, they would face it together. Even if Claire wasn’t sure where she stood, she knew one thing: she wasn’t backing down.