When The Wolves Come Out

Chapter 24

"Hey, Ethan. How are you doing?" I say, coming to sit beside Ethan on his bed. He'd been throwing up all morning, and to say I was completely lonely was an understatement.

"A little better. I'll be out of this bed by tonight," he croaks out, winking at me with the tiny bit of energy in him.

"Take as long as you want, okay? I don't want you getting out of that bed until you're better."

"You sound like my mother!" he teases before coughing.

"Shut up." I smile, standing up to leave. "I'll see you after breakfast."

"Hurry back."

I take one last look at his pale face before running to the kitchen. I rush straight to the fridge, my stomach grumbling like mad.

"Nice ass," I hear someone say from behind me.

"Want do you want, Grayson?" I turn around to face him, crossing my arms across my chest.

"Can I not compliment your ass without getting yelled at? I feel personally victimised," he jokes.

I roll my eyes. "Are you still mad at Ethan?"

"Nah, he flips out sometimes. You'll have to get used to it eventually."

"What do you mean?"

"Mates are life long partners. You can't just reject them if there's a connection." I can tell that Grayson is trying really hard to keep his guard up.

"How's Lily?" I ask, wanting to change the subject.

"She's... A lot of work."

"Oh, really? And what does that mean?" I push him for answers, finding the situation slightly entertaining.

"Stop it, Ashlyn," Grayson warns.

"Stop what?" I tease, pretending to be shocked.

"You know what you're doing, love, and I'm not gonna fall for it."

Did he just give me a nickname?

"Sorry for my curiosity. I guess you and Lily's love life is none of my business."

"We hardly have a love life."

I raise my eyebrow, telling him to go on.

He sighs. "She's just complicated. I'll tell you some other time."

"Tell her what?" Lily walks in, clinging onto Grayson as though he'll run away.

"Nothing, Lil. Want some breakfast?"

"Ew, no. You know that's not part of my diet plan."

I give Lily a weird look before putting a bagel into the toaster for myself. I get out the Nutella jar and set it out on the table, eating some of it with my finger.

"You are aware of how unhealthy that is, right?" Lily says, sitting opposite me at the table.

"Who cares?" I tell her, taking another mouthful. "I'm not here to impress."

She rolls her eyes as the toaster pops and I collect my bagel, spreading even more Nutella on it. Yum.

A phone buzzes.

"I'll be back in a sec," Grayson says, taking a phone call and leaving the room.

"You're lucky to have Ethan."

"Huh?" I almost spit out my bagel.

"You heard me. I bet it's nice to have a mate who understands you."