7: Not a happy reunion

Ethan's POV

As he talked, I felt a wave of emotions wash over me - shock, anger, and a deep sense of loss. I had lost Camella, my fated mate, to my stepbrother Leo, the new Alpha. The new Alpha?? When did this all even happen?

"Where are they now?" I asked Jenkins, my voice low and even.

Jenkins hesitated before answering. "They're living in a new house, Lord Ethan. A big one. Leo wanted something more...suitable for himself and his mate."

I gritted my teeth, feeling a surge of resentment towards Leo. I hated the word "his mate" because Camella wasn't his, she was fated to me.

But deep down, I knew I had no right to be angry at her. I had treated Camella poorly, and everyone knew it. I had driven her away, and now she was with Leo.

Leo..

My gut feelings towards the fact that he was involved in all this was getting stronger.

"And my father?" I asked, trying to push aside my feelings of guilt and anger

Jenkins' expression turned somber. "He's not doing well, Lord Ethan. He's bedridden and...it's not looking good."

I felt a pang of sadness and regret. I had lost so much time with my father, and now it might be too late.

"Well, where is he?"

"I really don't know, Lord Ethan." Jenkins said. "He was taken by Leo and his mother, so only they know his whereabouts."

I sighed, my hand going to massage my aching temples. "Camella…" I looked back at Jenkins, "Is she um…happy? Did she.."

Jenkins' expression was guarded, but I could sense a hint of disapproval. "She's with him, Lord Ethan. I don't know about happy but I mean, you rejected her. You...weren't kind to her. That's probably why no one is…" He looked at me and the floor, "that's why no one really said anything."

I nodded, feeling a deep sense of…what was it? Regret?. I had been cruel to Camella, and now she was gone.

Hm. Does that mean I'll let Leo have her? No fucking way.

"Give me the address, Jenkins," I said, my voice firm. "I need to find them."

*******

3434 Ravenwood Drive. 3434 Ravenwood Drive.

This was the address and I kept repeating it in my head. This was the place that Camella wanted to live in when we first got together. I had said no, because I couldn't imagine doing anything nice for her…

I shook my head to focus and kept running till I finally found the place, a grand mansion that seemed to loom over me in the darkness. I shifted back to human form, my senses heightened as I looked around. The grounds were immaculately manicured, but I could sense a hint of decay beneath the surface.

As I approached the entrance, two guards stepped out of the shadows, their eyes narrowing. "Halt! State your business," one of them growled.

But as they caught sight of me in the dim light, their expressions changed from hostility to surprise. They bowed their heads, their voices barely above a whisper. "Ethan, Milord. We didn't expect you."

I walked forward, my first twitching. Before I could respond, a figure emerged from the large doorway.

She still looked as malicious as I remembered. It was my stepmother, Beatrice.

"Who is it? What do they want?" she asked, her voice sharp as she looked around, walking towards the entrance of the building with a frown on her face.

"Is it the council members again?" She scoffed, "tell them that the Alpha is resting, he can't possibly solve all their problems in a day—"

She saw me.

"Wh-Who?" Her eyes strained to make sure she was probably seeing right. "... Ethan?"

"Hello, Beatrice."

She stared at me, her mouth almost hanging open. I could sense her shock, her mind racing to process the fact that I was standing in front of her.

"Ethan…" she repeated, her voice barely above a whisper. "Wh-What are you doing here? And when did you even get out?"

I understood why she was surprised. Usually when someone leaves the rehabilitation center, they waited till morning or midday for the wardens to throw a going away party for them, inviting their families to join and pick them up. Everyone would know about it. But i didn't want anyone to know, slipped out of the shadows this same night.

"Today." I gave a smile.

"Hm," she looked me over, "Sure you're ready to even be out in society?" She mocked.

I looked her over in annoyance, my frown deepening.

"I'm here to see my father," I said, my voice low and cold.

Beatrice's expression changed, her slight surprise from earlier giving way to mockery.

"Oh, Paul? He's not exactly...receiving visitors at the moment," she said, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "But I know who will be thrilled to see you right now,"

A part of me kind of wished she'd say Camella but no.

"Alpha Leo." She said, smiling when she saw me frown. "He will be thrilled to see you."

She called out over her shoulder, her voice dripping with malice. "Leo! Come see who's here!"

I gritted my teeth, my heart sinking. This was not going to be a pleasant reunion.

I looked up to see Leo approach us, walking out the door in the Alpha's uniform and moving towards us. He paused for a while as he saw me, having the same expression as his mother. Then he gave a fake smile, "Ethan? Is that you?"

Oh, please.