The Unnatural

Fifteen

Ares Silvermane

I burn with rage as the memories from your yesterday flood my mind.

How dare he talk to me like that? How dare he insult me like that?

If he wasn't my mate, I would've snapped his neck the moment he raised his voice in front of me.
But deep down I knew he's right. And he has all the reason to be angry at me. I really have been a jerk. He was right. It's not that I don't believe him, it's the fact that I decide not to believe him.

My brother believed in humans but what did he get? Betrayal. A betrayal that cost him his life.

"What are you thinking of?" Adrien asks as he sits across the table breaking the train of my thoughts. We are sitting in my study room and going through the activities of the town.

Being the alpha, it is my duty to know how tradings are being handled in the town. I am to know each and every detail of the business as we trade things with other packs in alliance. Bloodvaine was off the list, of course. That pack was not on good terms with any other pack.

I tried to convince the other packs to join hands with me in this war but they declined since they didn't want to drag their people in unwanted situations. As a leader, I understand.
To be honest, I would do the same.

Nothing comes above the people who have faith in us.

"Nothing." I shake my head and focus on the papers in my hand. Trying to focus but nothing is making sense right now since my mind is drifting back to Ethan.

His teary eyes, the desperation in his voice making my heart clench. The fear of getting betrayal, getting back stabbed by him making it hard for me to look in his direction.

I had walked out of his room without a word as I was too shocked to hear him speak like that. Every word he said was right.

I was the one being asshole. I am the one who hates my mate for something that is not his fault. My situation had made me so cruel that I didn't realize how badly it was hurting Ethan.

"Ares, you know you can't lie to me. Something is definitely on your mind." Adrien drops the file on the table before giving me all his attention. I groan before putting the papers on the table and look at him knowing he isn't going to back off until I tell him what's on my mind. "It's Ethan." I start, looking away from him as embarrassment starts to heat up my face.

"What about him?" He knits his eyebrows, trying to understand why I am being like this. "He is hurting, Adrien. And I can't do anything to stop it." I sigh, running a hand through my hair in frustration. The pain I feel for him being very evident in my voice. I regret my behavior with him, I truly do but I fear that there is nothing I can do.

Adrien nods in understanding before he raises his eyebrows and drops them. "Right. That." He mumbles resting back in his chair. "I heard you chained him up again." He raises an eyebrow as he watches me carefully.

The guilt makes me look away from him again and I lower my gaze to the paper in front of me.

"Yes. I couldn't let him run away again." I whisper in a low voice, knowing that I don't believe what I'm saying. It's not that at all.
I can't let him get away from me again.

After talking to Ethan, it all made sense.

The window was too high for Ethan to jump and if he really wanted to jump or escape, he could've done that long before. The unfamiliar scent reeking in the house that day was a clear sign that someone was in the house but I took it too slightly. I should've checked better, I should've checked Ethan's room as well. I should've talked things out of him. I should've apologized to him for raising my voice. I should've done better.