Princess...

Chapter 48

Ethan

I shouldn't have pried, I shouldn't have said what I did. But Ace doesn't realise how the memory of her lying bruised on the kitchen floor still plagues my sleep. No longer did I dream about my parent's death, but now my every conscious and unconscious thought was filled with images of the redheaded rogue. I cared for her, human and wolf form alike but I shouldn't have pushed how I did. I'd been spiteful, rude and exactly the kind of person my father was. He cared little for other people, but he never once acted out towards my mother; that was the difference between us. I paced the length of the library long after Ace's scent had faded and my inner wolf wouldn't settle, howling for me to make it right as an ache settled in my chest; I had really fucked up now. It was late and decided I'd make it right tomorrow if the redhead would even talk to me.

Sleep evaded me and once the sun was up, which I had watched creep from behind the treeline for the last few hours, I sighed and got off of the bed, the navy comforter underneath me crumpled but still made; I hadn't planned to sleep so I didn't get under the covers. I dressed in a navy hoodie and a pair of black sweatpants, pulling on a pair of sneakers and making my way down to the kitchen, Delta Kurt tagging along as we entered the dining room

"Morning Alpha. Pleasant sleep?" My third in command seemed positively chipper and it angered me, though he didn't deserve my spite this morning

"Always Delta Kurt. Yourself?" Pleasantries were never my strong suit, though I'd had practice in my time as Alpha.

"Yes thank you, Alpha. The pack will be ready to leave at 10. Otsoa and Lyell will bring Grogan to the foyer in 20 minutes." I snapped my head to my Delta, confusion clouding my features before it dawned on me, he was being executed today. I needed to put my redhead out of my mind for the moment, and focus on executing yet another member of my pack.

"Thank you, Delta Kurt. Go join the others I will be with you in a moment." I bid him goodbye and walked into the kitchen, where Raula and Deryn were joined together. I cleared my throat and they sprung apart, guilty looks on their faces

"Alpha Lupus, good morning to you. Pleasant sleep?" I rolled my eyes but forced a smile onto my face.

"Yes thank you Beta Deryn. Mind if I converse with Raula for a moment? The pack are waiting in the foyer." I gave him a pointed stare and he nodded quickly, tightening the knot on top of his head before kissing his mate's cheek and leaving the room

"What can I do for you, Ethan?" My mother figure's soft smile eased a lot of my worries, though my inner wolf hadn't missed the presence of a certain rogue.

"Where is Ace?" The question slipped past my lips before I could stop it and offered a sheepish smile in apology for my bluntness. Raula chuckled and turned a pot on the hob down, leaning against the counter to face me.

"She said she had something to do this morning before breakfast. What happened last night, Ethan?" I didn't know the answer to that, mainly because I knew it was my fault and had a bad habit of not admitting when I was in the wrong. I sighed and leant against the marble island countertop, pushing my hair up from my forehead with my hand

"I asked Ace questions about her old pack and she got mad when I said some... less than nice things. I need to know Raula! It still haunts me seeing her in pain and if my redhead flinches one more time when I move towards her I'll go insane. I just want to make it right..." My admission seemed to be nothing new to the older woman as she pulled me in for a hug and I inhaled her scent of lavender which was nice, but nothing compared to my redhead's vanilla aroma. We pulled away and Raula placed her hand on my cheek, making strong eye contact and I showed her last night's events