Chapter 11
Chapter 11
Flona
Shock rockets through me as Ethan lifts my stepmother into the air with a growl. He moves between us and drops her, sending her to the ground in a crumpled heap.
“I don’t hurt women,” Ethan says, “But if I see you harming Fiona again, I may not be so polite again.”
The threat sits heavy in the air, clear to everyone that he’s not lying. His clenched fists, narrow eyes, and set jaw are aimed directly at my stepmother before he shifts and glares at Jack and Jessica.
Honestly, it’s nice to have someone stand up for me even if he’s slightly terrifying.
With an outraged gasp, my stepmother jumps to her feet and huffs. Then, like a two–year–old throwing a tantrum, she stomps her foot and whines, “Why would someone like you defend her!”
“Somone like her is better than an abusive, self–centered snake like you.” Ethan’s insult makes my stepmother gawk, her eyes nearly popping out of her head.
Ethan stares her down, and without looking at me, he holds out a hand. I slip my hand in his and allow him to help me my feet, grabbing Mom’s will as I stand.
“But she-
“Enough,” Ethan snaps. “You will not harm her again. Is that clear?”
Everyone, including me, looks at Ethan, and even though it takes a minute, they all begrudgingly agree. Whether they keep their word or not, we will see, but for now, their agreement pacifies Ethan.
“Thank you, Ethan,” I mumble.
He nods, and before he can say anything else to me, I bolt to my car. The tension in the air finally diffuses as I climb into my car and pull away from the wretched hou
A few blocks away, I jump when my phone rings. Is it Ethan?
Nope. It’s just Isla.
“Hey, Isla,” I greet, answering the phone,
“Hey! First things first, how are things going? How was the party? Her words are fast and eager, and I bet she’s dying to figure out if Ethan and I have moved our relationship forward.
However, I don’t think I’m quite ready to tell her about the contract agreement we’ve made. I’m sure she would support me but I don’t know if I can admit it to her yet.
“The party was terrible. Jack and Jessica were there and all over each other, and I had the hardest time finding a lawyer,” I tell her with a sigh. “There was a guy who tried to assault me, and if Ethan hadn’t been there..”
“What!
The screech makes me jump and swerve.
“Are you okay?”
I nod even though she can’t see me and take a deep breath. “Yeah, I’m fine, and with Ethan’s help, I ended the night safely and have a lawyer.”
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Chapter II
13 мрі
“Ethan for the win!” She sh
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She shouts, and again, I pull the phone away from my ear. I love her, but she can be too loud at times.
“Well I have more good news for you,” she tells me, then continues, “I know you didn’t ask me to, but I wanted to help you. so I started asking around and found you a clerical job!”
A clerical job? I did mention to her I’d wanted to get a job, but I didn’t get a chance to look for anything.
“And the boss wants to meet you at Rolling Beans coffee shop at eleven.”
I glance at the clock. 10:32.
“It’s so sudden, but oh my God, I can’t wait to talk to them. Who am I meeting?” I ask, and the smile pulling at my lips grows wider. This could be another step to getting out from under my failed marriage.
Isla tisks, saying, “It’s a surprise”
Does that mean I know this person?
Curious, I take the next turn toward town. Nerves and excitement flutter in my stomach as I drive past homes, shops, and finally pull into the little parking lot of Rolling Beans.
After fixing my hair and climbing out of my car, I check myself in the window’s reflection and straighten out my clothes. I can’t walk into a possible job interview with wrinkled clothes and mussed up hair.
The slight burn in my scalp follows me inside, but I ignore it and look around.
“Fiona
I turn and my eyes land on a familiar face.
“Chris?”
He smiles and holds out a hand, saying. “Hey, Isla told me you were looking for a job, and I happen to be looking for some help.
“You’re who I’m meeting?” I ask, shocked. I haven’t seen Chris in years. We’d been good friends when we were kids but had drifted apart due to our interests. I try to think back to the last time we talked but can’t remember when it was.
Chris chuckles. I smile. Isla always thought we would be a cute couple, but it had never happened. No wonder she was so excited by her surprise.
“That’s just like Isla not to say,” he mutters. “But I was so glad to hear your name when it popped up in conversation. I can’t believe it’s been so long since we’ve seen each other. Come on, take a seat,”
I follow him to a small table that already has a coffee cup waiting.
Excitedly, Chris dives into the conversation, asking me about life, my marriage, and what’s going on. I explain why I need the job and how Jack and I are divorcing. Even though I haven’t talked to him in forever, I begin to relax as he talks about his
life.
“And my dad slid down the hill on one ski, flailing like a flightless bird!” Chris exclaims, laughing loudly as he bends over. I laugh, remembering how clumsy he always said his dad was
I take another sip of my frappe while Chris finally straightens himself.
He stops and stares at me, then before I can move, he leans in, lifts his hand, and brushes something off my lip. The sudden closeness and the touch are intimate too intimate. An uneasy feeling settles in my chest as he stares into my eyes, his finger trailing along my cheek.
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Chapter 11
1 langin to pull back when a light flashes from somewhere to my right. 1 jerk back to look around. When I don’t see anyone 1 know, I sigh in annoyance. Maybe I was overthinking things.
As I stare at my computer screen, I think about how far we’ve come as a company. My father founded and built up the Silverclaw Company because he was curious about human technology. After he came into the human world, he used his Lycan power and connections to thrive and gain wealth.
He created an empire which I took over at eighteen. It only took me live years before I’d made Silverclaw into a leading industry player. I wanted to help people more, to use my status and power to do something good, so I founded a tech and pharmaceutical giant that generated profit but also worked to cure various infectious and genetic diseases affecting the Lycan population
I was taught to lead and serve the pack. Everything I did up until now and everything I do from now on is to make the Silverclaw pack the strongest.
The pack elders say my success, strength, and growth are what make me the most promising candidate for the Lycan King election
A message dings from my phone, and I pull open my drawer, glancing at the screen. A reminder to set some rules and boundaries with Fiona. She signed the contract, but I need to make sure she doesn’t go too far with any requests.
As I move to close the drawer, light glints off leather box nestled in the corner of my drawer. I sigh and lift the box, flipping the lid open.
The wolf shaped moonstone sits on the silver necklace chain and grows heavy in my hand. My mother had passed it to me for the next Luna because every Luna of the Silverclaw pack wears it.
And to think I’d given it to a woman I thought would be my mate. A woman who betrayed and deceived me, taking my trust and shattering it like it was nothing.
The coll memory wraps around my heart and squeezes, making me growl as my wolf howls in pain.
“Never again. I’ll never trust a woman, especially if they’re human.”
My wolf mudges at my mind carefully. He sends an image of Fiona through my mind, but I shove it away.
Again, he nudges at my consciousness, settling warmly against me. His presence is comforting and cases a bit of the pain in my chest.
“But I know better than anyone how much you long for a relationship built on true love,” he murmurs, “One without deception. She could be that for us”
He might be right, but he might also be wrong. After what happened in the past, I won’t open myself up for another attack. for another heartbreak. I have more important things to worry about, such as the election coming up, and I have no time to be deceived.
A knock sounds at the door before my secretary speaks, “Mr. Montgomery.”
“Enter”
She shuffles in, fluttering her eyelashes and pushing her chest out. I have to stop myself from rolling my eyes.
“You may want to see this,” she tells me, passing a photo into my hand. I glance down, disinterested until I see Fiona.
Fiona and a man.
12:10 Sun, 13 Apr 00-
Chapter 11
He’s leaned in with his hand on her cheek kissing her,
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and
My wolf grow is as fury farms through my chest and set my blood on fire. Not even a day after the signed the contract, mid she’s dares to hook up with another man
