When The Wolves Come Out

Chapter 38

Stefano doesn't talk to me for the whole walk home. He keeps his eyes averted forwards, not even holding my hand like he would usually do. Ethan is walking a good few metres in front of us, his head down.

We go back inside the house in silence. Stefano heads into our bedroom and I follow him, shutting the door behind us and changing my shirt to one of my own.

I take a deep breath in. "Stefano, please look at me," I say.

He stares at me from across the room, anger clear in his eyes even without the colours.

"We need to talk about this."

"There's nothing to talk about," he sighs.

"Yes, there is. Just hear me out. Please," I whisper.

He keeps his gaze on me, folding his arms over his chest and waiting for me to continue.

"Nothing is going on between me and Ethan. I just chose a random shirt from the washing basket. I thought it was yours, seeing as you and Ethan are almost the same size. There's nothing going on, I promise you."

Okay, so maybe there was something going on but it shouldn't be threatening to Stefano.

"I just... I want to believe you," he starts.

"But why won't you?"

"Ever since Ethan came, there's been something different about you... You still care about him, huh? And what about Grayson?"

"Of course I care for them, Stefano. Just as I care for you. You shouldn't be worried—"

"But I am!" he cuts me off, raising his voice.

I gasp. This was the first time I had ever heard Stefano yelling at me from pure anger.

"Maybe this whole wedding thing..." He rubs his forehead. "Maybe it's not a good idea."

My heart shatters. He couldn't mean that...

"Why isn't it a good idea?" I say, my voice weak and shaky.

"Because if I can't trust you not to go off with your ex-mates then what does that say about our relationship, Lyn?" he yells again.

I whimper, a lump rising in my throat. "Please, Stefano. Let's just think this through. I've made mistakes, clearly, but let's not end... us," I whisper.

"We need a break, at least. I love you, Lyn, and that's why I'm doing this," he says calmly.

"No," I whimper again. "We can sort this out."

"I know that we can, my love." He walks over to me, cupping my face in his hands. "But we need time, alright?"

He kisses my forehead one last time before walking out of the bedroom, leaving me alone.

I finally let the tears out. Who was going to come and save me now?

I hear people walking through the halls outside of the room and try to be quiet. I drown out the noise by stepping into the bathroom and running a shower, hoping that the sound of the water will drown out my tears.

The water is tempting and I soon step in, fully clothed, and shrink against the shower wall.

First Ethan, then Grayson, and now Stefano.

The thought makes more tears well up inside of me and I let everything pour out of me, each memory stinging me along the way.

I hear someone open the bathroom door and the familiar scent of the woods during winter fills my nose. Ethan slowly draws back the shower curtain, staring at me with reflective sadness. He gets into the shower fully clothed and sits next to me against the wall.

He doesn't saying anything, just wraps an arm around my shoulder and pulls me close. His presence alone was all I needed, and instantly I feel glad that despite all that had happened, he was still here, comforting me.

I cry into his shoulder and he rubs my back. "Shh, Ash. You'll be okay. I'm right here," he whispers, kissing the top of my head.

I shake my head. "Nothing will."

"I guess that's what it seems like," he says quietly. "But I promise you with every piece of my heart that it's going to get better, Ash. Just let it out now and we can forget about it later. No matter what happens, I love you, y'know that?"

I nod, leaning closer into him. "Thank you," I whisper. "I love you too, even though I don't show it anymore."

"You don't need to show me, because I know. And whatever you decide to get out of this, just know that I'll never think less of you. Do what you want. I'll still love you."

And for a few minutes, Ethan and I just sit there in the shower together, next to one other, where nothing else matters for the time being.

~~

That night, I lie in bed alone. I don't know where Stefano is sleeping, but I feel cold without his presence. I toss and turn until 2:00 a.m. when I finally decide to go grab a drink from the kitchen.

After pouring myself a glass of water, I look through the door of the lounge to see someone sleeping on the sofa. I walk over to see Ethan peacefully sleeping, still in his clothes from today.

I smile to myself. He looked adorable as usual when he slept.

No.

I wasn't supposed to be thinking that kind of thing anymore, not now that I'm engaged... Well, was engaged.

I turn around and begin to walk away when Ethan stirs in his sleep. "Ash?" he says in a raspy voice, yawning and rubbing his eyes.

"I couldn't sleep," I whisper. "I didn't mean to wake you."

"That's okay, you didn't wake me. Just a bad dream." He gives me a small smile, yawning again.

"Why are you sleeping down here?" I ask.

"Stefano needed a bedroom to sleep in, so I offered to sleep on the sofa," he explains, a look of pity on his face.

"Oh," is all I can say. I turn to walk away again.

"Wait."

"Yeah?" I spin around.

"Sleep here with me," Ethan whispers, stretching his arms out to me.

I let out a long breath before nodding and letting him engulf me in his arms.

And soon enough, I'm deeply asleep.