Autumn
I hadn't anticipated Ethan coming to my aid, and now we both stand side by side, our eyes fixed on Maya, away from the throng of inquisitive onlookers.
"You don't understand!" Maya cried out, her fists clenched tightly. "I declared in the newspaper that she cursed everything. You might be cursed too, Alpha... You should let me help you-"
"Are you out of your mind?" Ethan interjected, his face a mask of incredulity. It was evident he was utterly baffled by Maya's outburst.
I took a deep breath, trying to steady my nerves. "You have to cut the crap, Maya. It's not too late-"
"So you have hope that this delusional friend of yours will come back into your life?" Ethan cut me off, his voice brimming with disappointment and disbelief. There was a mix of satisfaction and anger in Maya's eyes, a clear indication that she thought she could drive a wedge between us. But I wasn't about to let that happen.