apter 48
In the end, I reluctantly went back to the public consultation room.
I’d only been here a few times before, but this time felt different. Now, I was here as a doctor, investigating a major virus case. It felt strange–like life was mocking me by bringing me back full circle.
I carefully chose what to share with the Gamma officers from the Security Bureau and the hunter police.
Something about being near those Gammas made me uneasy, like an invisible weight pressing on my chest.
At some point, Ethan must have followed me in because he stood silently beside me, listening. I tried to ignore him, still annoyed from earlier. Was I jealous? I hated to admit it, but maybe I was.
“Sign here,” one of the Gammas said, handing me a report. “Don’t forget your paw print.”
I reached for the ink pad, but before I could press my hand down, a much larger, warmer hand wrapped around my wrist. The heat from his touch made my pulse jump, almost freezing me in place.
Ethan guided my hand into the ink and pressed it firmly onto the paper, leaving a bright red mark.
Only then did he let go, but not before leaving a faint red imprint on my wrist where his grip had been.
I stared at the mark on my skin, feeling distracted. It was unmistakably Ethan’s doing. A familiar warmth spread across my neck, and my hand instinctively moved to touch the spot where Ethan’s scent had once lingered.
The memory–or maybe just the phantom sensation–made the area feel hot all over again.
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Chapter 48
How annoying.
Ethan exhaled softly. “Let me take you home.”
“That’s not necessary. I can walk myself,” I said quickly, the words sharper than I intended. For some reason, I just wanted to argue.
Ethan didn’t react. He simply followed behind me, keeping a steady but respectful distance.
My chest tightened with a strange, bitter feeling. What did he want? My wolf chimed in, hinting I should slow down to let him catch up.
“Seriously?” I muttered under my breath.
Her response was quick and defensive. *“I didn’t say that!“*
A small laugh escaped me despite myself. By the way, my wolf doesn’t have a name. I just call her “wolf.” Cute, right?
I slowed down a bit, but Ethan adjusted his pace too, still keeping the same distance between us. Annoyed, I spun around and marched right up to him. “Why is your passcode my birthday?”
As soon as I asked, I regretted it. The question came out of nowhere and felt awkward.
“You’re ridiculous,” he said with a calm voice, though I thought I saw a faint smirk. “We share the same birthday.”
I blinked, feeling the tension leave my shoulders. “Oh.”
A warm breeze drifted in through an open window, carrying the scent of flowers from the garden. The air felt thick and heavy.
Maybe summer was near? Trying to break the tension, I added, “Right… I forgot. I don’t really celebrate my birthday, you know.”
The awkward silence came back, stretching between us. We both knew the memories that lingered–ones we didn’t want to dig up. My forced smile faltered, and Ethan didn’t say
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Chapter 48
anything else.
The once warm breeze now felt chilly, making me shiver.
Ethan always celebrated his birthday with a grand party.
I used to make it all about him–surprise parties, baking cakes, flying overseas to find special gifts, even brewing his favorite wine. Somewhere along the way, I forgot that day was mine too.
What birthday gifts had I ever gotten? I couldn’t remember.
The thought calmed me. Mate bonds, casual flings–none of it seemed to matter anymore. *Claire, is this really what you want?* I asked myself.
“I should go. Thanks for today,” I said, needing to clear my head. Without waiting for a response, I turned to leave-
Only to find Ethan standing in my way.
His broad, sun–tanned back blocked my path like a wall. Through the loose fabric of his tank top, I could see a jagged scar running from his left shoulder blade to his spine. It looked rough and twisted, a clear reminder of old pain.
*Smack.*
The sharp sound of a hand hitting metal shattered the silence in the hallway.
Ethan had turned, his hands braced on either side of the storage locker behind me. I was trapped between him and the cold metal.
My heart pounded, and heat rushed through me. My legs felt weak, so I crouched down, pretending to look for something. “You startled me… I dropped my keys…”
I avoided his gaze, fumbling for my keys until I slowly stood up. Only then did I glance at him, keeping my face neutral. I refused to let him see the storm swirling inside me.
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