Page 86 of Beneath the Blue Moon

***Ethan***

Another night of hunting and still no Stone. This is really

starting to get to me. He hides behind the scenes, using his newly turned

wolves to do his bidding. I just need a long, hot shower and to curl up next to

Casey. Oh… that’s right. I can’t do that. I guess I’ll have to settle for the

shower. I wonder what she was going to tell me. Whatever it is, she seemed

happy. Could it be? Maybe she’s changed her mind. Maybe she’s coming back to

me! Or… what if she’s found someone else? Fuck! No, that can’t be. She’s mine,

goddammit! I need to punch something. Now.

As I pull up to my house, I sense someone inside and notice the

black Jaguar in my driveway. I let out a loud groan. What the hell is Shae

doing here? I don’t want to deal with her tonight. In fact, I’d rather not deal

with her at all. Heading inside, I find her on my couch sipping wine.

“Ethan!” she shrieks. “You’re covered in blood!”

“Yes. And if you’ll excuse me, I need a shower.”

I take the stairs two at a time, not even waiting for a

reply. Stripping down, I step under the hot stream, wondering how my life got

so fucked up. It should have been easy—find a mate, settle down, have a couple

of kids, live happily ever after. I’ve found my mate; it’s the rest that seems

to be the problem. If I could just get Stone out of the picture, The Council

would back off about this mate business and I could have all the time in the

world to work on getting her back. Instead, I have to put up with this farce.

Which reminds me, Shae’s downstairs. I need to get rid of her.

Wrapping a towel around my waist, I walk into my bedroom to

find her in my bed, obviously naked beneath the sheets.

“What are you doing?” I ask.

“Waiting for you, lover.”

“Lover? We spent one night together, Shae.”

“One incredible night… and I look forward to many more when

I become your mate.”

She sits up, allowing the sheet to slip, exposing her

breasts. I turn away from her, finding a T-shirt and pulling it over my head.

“You’re only one of many I’m considering.”

“I thought it was a done deal. Your mother—”

“My mother doesn’t speak for me.”

She slinks from the bed and walks over to me, naked as the

day she was born. I’m not even tempted to look her over, let alone touch her.

She places her palms on my chest, gazing up at me with seductive eyes.

“I’m sure I can tip the odds in my favor. Come to bed.”

“Go home, Shae.”

Hands on her hips, she gives me an accusatory glare. “You’re

always sending me home like I’m a child. What is it? Am I not pretty enough for

you? Or am I okay to fuck for a night but not good enough to be your mate?”

“Don’t even play that with me. The only reason you want to

be my mate is for the title.”

“I admit it was like that at first… but after spending time

with you, that changed.”

Fuck me. Don’t tell me she thinks she’s in love with me.

“Shae, look. The truth is that I’m in love with someone

else. The Council doesn’t approve of her, and that’s the only reason you’re

here.”

“So I’m the consolation prize?”

“I’m just being honest with you. Even if I were to take you

as my mate, it would simply be out of obligation.”

“I see.”

“Please… just go home.”

“It’s really late. Can I at least stay the night? I’ll leave

first thing in the morning.”

“Fine. You can use any one of the spare rooms you like.”

She picks up her clothes and walks out dejectedly. I don’t

mean to hurt her, but it’s best if I’m honest; that way, she knows exactly what

to expect. I remove the sheets from the mattress and toss them into the laundry

basket. There’s no way I’d be able to sleep with her scent all over them. I

just wish Casey’s hadn’t faded.