Chapter 31 – Ethan vs Luca

(Flashback From Luca's perspective)

I knew I shouldn't have come. The second I stepped out of the shadows, every instinct screamed at me to turn back. But I couldn't. She was the reason—Quinn. No matter how many times I told myself to stay away, I kept getting pulled back. My wolf stirred inside, restless and growling at my stupidity. I was supposed to watch from a distance, protect her without being seen. Yet here I was, drawn to her like a moth to a flame.

She walked through the garden, her eyes fixed on the trees, lost in thought. At first, it seemed like she didn't notice me, but then she froze. Her gaze snapped to the darkness where I stood, and I saw it—fear flickering in her eyes as they locked onto mine. My glowing red eyes gave me away. My wolf wanted to rush forward, to nuzzle her, to promise safety, but I held back, fighting to control the primal instinct surging through me.

When I finally stepped out, her gasp sliced through the night. Then recognition dawned on her face, and relief softened her features. "Lycan! Jeez, you scared the crap out of me," she said, half-laughing.

Her voice melted something inside me. I dipped my head and wagged my tail, a futile attempt to show I meant no harm. She stepped closer, that playful grin on her face. Her hand brushed through my fur, and I closed my eyes, savoring the touch I didn't deserve.

But this wasn't how it was supposed to be. None of it was. I shouldn't have been with her, not when she was with Ethan. Every smile, every word she shared with me, tore down the walls I'd spent years building. My wolf wanted to claim her, to make her mine. But she was human. I was an Alpha Wolf. We were never meant to mix.

She wanted to go for a walk so I was happy to escort her. As we walked deeper into the forest, the air grew thick with tension. The hairs on the back of my neck stood on end. I heard it before she did—the low, guttural growl echoing through the trees. My muscles tensed, and I moved in front of her, a living shield. Whatever was out there wasn't getting near her.

Quinn's breath hitched. "Let's go back," she whispered, her voice shaking.

I nudged her hand, guiding her back toward the Inn, but the sensation of being watched clung to me like a second skin. My eyes darted from tree to tree, searching for movement. Nothing. The forest was deathly still.

We went back to the Inn, but the unease wouldn't let go of me. I sensed him before I saw him—Ethan. His scent hit me like a slap. He rushed out to meet Quinn, his face twisted with a mix of relief and anger.

"Where the hell have you been?" he barked, his voice sharp.

Then he kissed her.

I froze, every muscle locking up. The sight of his lips on hers was a knife to my gut. Fury roared through me, hot and blinding. My wolf snarled, clawing for control. My vision blurred with rage. That kiss wasn't his. It never was.

Ethan's eyes flicked to me, and for a split second, uncertainty flashed in his gaze. He sensed it too—the tension thick enough to suffocate. My growl cut through the night, low and menacing.

Quinn pulled back, her brow furrowing. "Whoa, what's going on?"

She didn't get it. She couldn't see what was happening right in front of her. And before I could stop myself, before I could think of the consequences, I lunged.

The world tilted as I tackled Ethan to the ground. My teeth bared, a savage snarl ripped from my throat. My wolf had taken over, and I didn't care anymore. I didn't care about keeping the peace or pretending everything was fine. I didn't care that Ethan was my brother.

All that mattered was the burning need to show him that Quinn wasn't his to claim.

Ethan hit the ground hard, a gasp escaping him. But he wasn't weak. He fought back, shoving against my massive body. Adrenaline spiked through his veins, fueling his resistance.

Quinn's scream pierced the chaos. "Lycan, stop!"

Her voice was a blade slicing through the red haze in my mind. I hesitated, just long enough for Ethan to land a punch against my side. Pain flared, but it was nothing compared to the rage boiling inside me.

"What the hell is wrong with you?" Ethan spat, his voice raw with anger.

I growled, the sound reverberating through my chest. My wolf demanded I finish what I started, but Quinn's trembling voice held me back.

"Please," she whispered, her eyes wide and filled with tears.

That single word shattered me. I backed off, my breath ragged. Ethan scrambled to his feet, his fists clenched.

"You've lost your damn mind," he hissed.

I didn't respond. I couldn't. My gaze locked on Quinn, who stood frozen, torn between confusion and fear. She didn't understand what had just happened. And how could she? She didn't know what I was.

Ethan grabbed her arm, pulling her toward the Inn. "Let's go."