Page 75 of Beneath the Blue Moon

***Ethan***

“Ethan, it’s time for you to stop this.”

“Stop what, Mother?”

“This incessant drinking. You know it does nothing to you.”

For the first time in my life, I wish it wasn’t true; the

numbness they say comes from being drunk would be welcome right now. I would do

anything to get rid of this feeling. Someone carved out an essential organ, and

I’m slowly dying. I can’t eat, can’t sleep, can’t function properly. I have

never, in my life, felt so utterly destroyed.

I finish the last of my scotch and toss the empty bottle onto

the growing heap, then grab a new one from the case at my feet. I count ten empty

bottles, and that’s just from tonight.

“Really? In that case, I’m testing the hypothesis that

wolves can get drunk.”

She turns to Charlie and Brick, both hands on her hips. “Why

are you two encouraging this behavior?” When they shrug helplessly, she turns

back to me. “It’s been almost two weeks. You gave your word that you would take

a mate of The Council’s choosing if it didn’t work out with her.”

I fix her with an incredulous stare, wondering how a mother

could be so insensitive to her own child’s pain.

“You don’t get it, do you? I love her. That’s not

just going to disappear.”

“It’s called lust, not love.”

“You think I don’t know the difference?”

“I think that you think you’re in love with her, but it’s

time to move forward.”

“With who?” I ask. “Shae? It doesn’t matter who you try to

stick me with. Casey is my true mate, and neither my wolf nor I will be

happy without her.”

“She’s a human, for Christ’s sake!” she yells.

“Don’t push me, Mother. You won’t like it if I push

back.”

“Oh? This is what love does? Makes you threaten your own

mother?”

“You know what? Just leave. This conversation is over.”

She looks completely horrified I would dare speak to her

that way, but I don’t give a fuck if her feelings are hurt. Right now, Casey is

all that matters. Only Casey. Mother squares her shoulders and storms off.

“Did you have to be so harsh?” Brick asks.

Absentmindedly, I twirl the bottle in my hand, not looking

at him.

“You don’t understand.”

“Then explain it to me. To us.”

I take a deep breath and look him directly in the eyes. How

do I make him understand? How do I convey a feeling that’s new to me. One I

don’t even understand myself? How do I make everyone understand I’m nothing

without her?

“The moon reflects light from the sun. It doesn’t make its

own. I’m the moon. She’s the sun.”