Alexandra's POV
You were never just meant to be my mate.
Ethan's words hit me hard, echoing in my head like thunder. I stared at him, practically giving him a harsh signal with my eyes to explain himself.
But he just stood there, his golden eyes locked on mine. His jaw was tight, like he already regretted saying those words out loud.
That's just how Ethan was. He didn't talk without thinking. If he let something like that slip, it had to mean he was hiding something way bigger.
What does that mean? I asked, my voice sharper than I meant it to be.
Ethan sighed, his fingers twitching at his sides.
He finally said, I can't tell you.
I laughed, but it wasn't happy. Of course not. That means you'd have to be honest with me for once.
He took a step closer, and I stepped back. I felt like I could reach out and touch the tension between us.
Alexandra, it's not that easy.
Then try to make it easy! I said, my voice shaking. You broke up with me, Ethan. You acted like I didn't mean anything, and now you say this? That I wasn't just your mate? What is that even supposed to mean?
Ethan waited before he answered. That told me everything I needed to know; it means that he wasn't just hiding something. He was guarding it, or maybe protecting someone.
That thought settled over me. My chest felt tight. Is this about her? I whispered.
Ethan winced, which was all I needed to say, Bingo.
My stomach flipped. So, that's it. You didn't want me because I wasn't strong, or good enough. This is all because of her.
Alex-
No. I shook my head, backing away. Don't say my name like you care.
He clenched his fists. I do care.
Then show it to me.
Silence evaded the atmosphere.
Ethan started to say something, but stopped. I wasn't sure if I wanted to hear it, anyway. Because deep down, I already knew the truth: I was his second choice.
The wind blew, shaking the trees. It smelled like rain, mixed with something else. Something bad.
Ethan went still. We need to go.
What? I asked.
I mean it, Alexandra. Now, he said.
His voice was different, not conflicted. It was a command. But I wasn't one of his pack members. I wasn't going to do what he said just because he told me to.
Why? I questioned him and glared at him.
Then I heard a growl that was low and animalistic. But it wasn't Ethan. It wasn't me. It comes from the dark part of the forest. The shadows.
I was scared. I turned, my body freezing in place. Something was watching us; I could feel its eyes on me. I saw movement past the trees. It was big. Not normal.
The air got heavy, like something bad was about to happen. My skin started to prickle.
Then I saw it: a pair of glowing red eyes.
Ethan cursed. Alex, run!
I didn't have to be told twice. I turned and ran as fast as I could, the rush of adrenaline coursing through me.
Ethan was right behind me.
Branches snapped as we ran through the trees, my heart pounding. Whatever was out there wasn't just some animal! It felt...different. Old, and Powerful.
Left! Ethan yelled, and I turned without thinking. Something big hit the ground where I'd just been. I didn't dare turn to look. I just ran. We kept going, dodging trees, jumping over roots. The sound behind us got closer.
Then I saw a cliff; I stopped fast, almost falling over the edge. It was at least fifty feet down, onto sharp rocks. We were trapped.
Ethan stopped beside me, breathing hard. He looked at me, then back at the trees.
Jump, he said.
I stared at him. Are you crazy?
It's the only way.
I heard the snarl behind us. I turned just in time to see it come out of the trees. It was huge. Not a wolf, or anything close to it. It looked like something from a nightmare. It was twisted, with matted black fur. Its eyes were like fire.
My blood turned to ice. What is that thing?
Ethan's jaw was tight. No time to explain. Then, he grabbed my wrist and pulled me over the edge.
We fell through the air, the world spinning. I screamed as we hit the water. It was so cold, it took my breath away. I sank deep, the weight of the water pulling me down. I kicked and fought, trying to get back to the surface. I didn't know which way was up, and my chest burned.
Then I felt a hand. It was strong. Ethan. He grabbed my wrist and pulled me up. We broke through the surface, gasping for air. Rain started to fall, and the river pulled us downstream.
Swim! Ethan yelled.
I didn't argue. The current pulled us hard. My arms ached, but I kept moving, following Ethan as he swam through the water. We made it to the bank and stumbled out of the water, falling to our hands and knees.
Ethan came out beside me, his hair wet. He was tense, but he wasn't looking at me. He was looking at the cliff above us. I looked up, and my stomach dropped.
The thing was still there. Watching us. Its red eyes burned in the dark, staring down at us. It growled, a low sound that made my bones cold.
Then it turned and walked away, disappearing into the trees, for now.
Ethan cursed. We need to move.
I was still shaking. What was that?
Ethan waited before answering. Something that should have stayed asleep.
His words scared me all over again. I had a million questions, but I knew one thing for sure: That thing, whatever it was, wasn't done with us yet, and neither was Ethan.