Chapter 28
Our dynamic had always been a dance of clashing wills and simmering tension. But now, with years and betrayals between us, the only good thing I remembered about him was his scent–the scent that reminded me of the forest where I’d been abandoned, of fresh morning air, and of something I could never quite let go.
A
Frustrated, I shifted into my wolf form, sprinting into the forest, hoping to escape the flood of memories that threatened to overwhelm me. The silent darkness offered a brief reprieve, a cold solace that helped me bury the longing I refused to acknowledge.
A familiar chime broke the silence. I shifted back, pulling my phone from my jacket to see a message from Ethan.
“About earlier–I’m sorry. But we still have work to do. I suspect the deceased from that
investigation report is linked to the recent werewolf virus outbreak. Shall we look into it
together?”
For a few long seconds, I stared at the message, debating whether to ignore him. But duty
won over my pride. I sighed, typing a single, reluctant response: *Fine.*
Almost immediately, he sent an address.
I tucked my phone away, looking up at the forest around me. The memories would have to
wait. For now, I had work to do.
**“You’ve been investigating for ten years without results. Let me handle it this time,
alright?”** I said firmly, my tone cutting through the air like a sharpened blade.
***
I held his gaze, my eyes never wavering, waiting for his response. **“I’m a trained doctor·
with the potential to become an Alpha even! I have confidence in solving this case.‘ The
words tasted strong on my tongue. They were not just about the plague; they were about me, about everything I had worked for. This was my career, my purpose, my identity—and I was done holding back. I wasn’t going to let him steal my chance to prove myself, not after all this time.
Ethan’s intense gaze remained locked on mine, but his expression was unreadable.
**”
‘And
12:43
Forsaken Mate: Alpha’s Second Chance at Love
50.0%
Chapman
why should I hand it all over to you?*** he asked, his voice low and controlled. He didn’t blink once, as if testing my resolve.
1 felt my patience thin, but I forced myself to stay calm. ***Are you kidding me?** I replied with mock disbelief. ***I’m the one involved here. I have every right to access that report
You don’t understand what this means to me.***
Our arguments were always this way–sharp, biting, but underlying it all was a strange sort of tension neither of us could ignore. It was a mix of rivalry, respect, and maybe…. something more. The thought made my stomach turn, but I brushed it aside.
Ethan sighed, rubbing his temples like the whole situation was a nuisance to him. ***Alright, let’s pause for a while and eat first, okay?*** He stole a quick glance at me, his gaze flickering to my face like he was gauging my mood. His attempt to change the subject
was almost… cute. Almost.
Adorable. I had half a mind to kick him under the table, but I resisted, instead crossing my
arms and leaning back slightly, my posture cold.
Dinner, for all its grandeur, didn’t seem to help ease the tension that had built up between us. The food was luxurious, as always when Ethan was involved, but I couldn’t focus on it. All I could think about was the case, the missing pieces of the puzzle that only I could solve.
When the meal ended, Ethan insisted on driving me home, a silent offer of protection that I
was too tired to refuse. The drive was quiet, but not uncomfortable. We both kept our thoughts to ourselves, as if trying to process the conversation that had just occurred.
I wanted to bring up the case again, press him for answers, but Ethan stopped me before I
could. **“I gave you my word,‘ “** he said, his voice a mixture of determination and something else–was it concern? **“But I have to ensure your safety every step of the
way.
“**
N
His words struck a nerve. **“Good, *** I agreed quickly, perhaps too quickly. ***After all, I
can do whatever I want after getting the complete files.“**
Ethan’s gaze flicked to me for a brief moment, and I could feel the weight of his scrutiny. **“You haven’t changed.”
.“** His words were simple, but the way he said them made my
pulse quicken.
12:43
Forsaken Mate: Alpha’s Second Chance at Love
58.64
Chapter 28
I was taken aback. I hadn’t expected that response. **T’d say you’ve changed a lot, i replied, forcing a smile to cover the tension I felt building inside.
Ethan looked at me, his eyes narrowing slightly. ***Really?*** he asked, his tone suddenly sharper. ***I don’t see it that way.***
The way he was looking at me made my skin crawl. There was something dangerous, something wild, lurking in the depths of his gaze. A part of me wanted to look away, but I refused to. I had to hold my ground.
1 forced a light laugh to escape my lips, trying to deflect the growing unease. ***After dinner, you should head back to your pack,*** I said, shifting the topic. ***An Alpha shouldn’t leave his pack for too long
Surprisingly, Ethan nodded obediently, a slight frown forming on his lips. It was almost like he had accepted it. In the past, he would’ve scoffed at such advice, claiming the pack didn’t matter. But now, he was nodding like it was a matter of fact.
So, he had changed.
Chapter 29
