Page 90 of Beneath the Blue Moon

***Ethan***

“So, the guy’s a professional. He’s a P.I. from Billings.”

I listen carefully as Charlie fills me in on what he found

out about Casey’s shadow.

“He’s communicating with Stone through email. They never

meet. At the end of each day, he sends an email from his phone and then heads

home. We’ve checked the LUDs on the phone, nothing there. We did hack his

account, though. The emails just detail Casey’s movements.”

“Have you checked his place?”

“It’s clean. He doesn’t leave anything there. Keeps his

phone and notepad on him at all times.”

“Fine. Get rid of him.”

He’s of no use to me if he can’t lead me to Stone. As we get

closer to my house, I realize that possibly the entire pack is gathered there. What

the fuck? Brick and Charlie both shrug in ignorance when I look over at them.

What are all these people doing in my home? I can smell Mother and Shae, so I

know they must be up to something. When I step inside, Mother walks forward

with a satisfied smile.

“Of course you knew we were all here but… surprise!”

Grabbing her elbow, I lead her away from the crowd.

“What the hell is going on, Mother?”

“Why, honey, it’s your engagement party.”

“My what?”

“Things have been going so well between you two, but it

seems like you needed a little push so….”

“I don’t need a push. What I need is for you to stop

meddling in my love life.”

“But, sweetheart—”

“Why would you even attempt something like this on the night

of the full moon?”

“So we could all see how your wolves react to one another.

I’m sure it will be magical.”

God help me; I love my mother, but sometimes I don’t like

her very much. Why is she so bent on me marrying Shae?

“Why her?” I ask.

“Shae is from a good, purebred family. She’s smart

and beautiful, and you have a lot in common. She will be good for you and the

pack.”

“And it doesn’t matter to you that I don’t love her?”

“You’ll learn to. As a leader, you sometimes have to make

sacrifices.”

“I’ll indulge you tonight, but that’s it. I hope when you

see that we’re not interested in her you’ll let this go.”

I leave her, grab a beer from the fridge, and head out to

the pool. I hope the sun sets soon. This night can’t be over soon enough.

“Ethan?”

With a deep sigh, I shake my head as Shae approaches.

“Yes, Shae?”

I stare out at the pool, not even looking in her direction.

“I just want you to know this wasn’t my idea.”

“I figured.”

“I know you don’t love me, but I think we could make this

work. I’m willing to try.”

I finally turn to her, wondering how she could want to be in

a loveless union.

“Why? Don’t you want to be with someone who loves you?”

“I want to be with you.”

She walks inside, leaving me to contemplate her statement.

Isn’t this a bitch? The woman I want doesn’t want me, and the one I can’t stand

actually wants to be with me.

Fuck my life.