Page 113 of Beneath the Blue Moon

***Ethan***

“That was delicious, honey.”

“Thank you,” she replies.

Words of agreement echo around the table, and she smiles proudly.

Her smile is like the sun, brightening my world.

“I hope you guys saved room for dessert—red velvet cake.”

I help her clear the table and bring the cake out. I don’t

even know when she frosted it. I must be really distracted. I’ve been

going over and over in my mind how I’m going to tell her everything. There is

no right way, no precedence. I guess I should just be straight with her, lay it

all out. She seems to have calmed down, no longer jittery or talking fast.

“Hello… Earth to Ethan.”

“Hmm?” I snap out of my thoughts and turn to her.

“I called you like ten times. Where were you just now?”

I realize that we’re the only ones left at the table when

she walks over and sits across my lap.

“Are you okay?”

“I’m fine. Just thinking.”

“Is it work?”

“It’s nothing.”

“Well, cake always makes everything better.” She picks up my

fork, bringing a piece to my lips. “Do you like it?”

“I love it. It seems you are a woman of many talents, my

love.”

“I remember telling you that once.”

“You did.”

Hopping off my lap, she grabs my hand and attempts to pull

me to my feet.

“Your friends are in the living room. Go on in and I’ll get

you a drink.”

“Wait.” She looks back at me expectantly, and I lead her to

the living room. “I need to talk to you.”

“Uh-oh, two talks in one night. Why do I feel like I’m not

going to like this one?”

All the guys stand when we walk into the room, taking

positions behind me as she sits on the couch. She looks around nervously from

face to face before resting on mine as I kneel before her.

“What’s going on?” she asks.

“Casey… you know I love you.”

“Yeah….”

“And I would never hurt you.”

“Just spit it out, Ethan.”

I take a deep breath. “Remember when you asked me if I had

any secrets you should know about?”

“Yes. You said ‘not right now’.”

“Well, it’s time you knew.”

Fear flashes in her eyes and she sinks her teeth into her

trembling bottom lip. I take another deep breath, gathering the strength to go

on.

“Ethan?”

“Casey… I’m a wolf.”