Page 11 of Bound to the Beast

A shiver runs up my spine. “Shifters tear their clothing when they transform,” I murmur, more to myself than to him.

He nods, his eyes darting around. “The loggers are talking. There are rumors about shifters. Some believe they walk among us. Don’t trust anyone.”

His words send a chill down my spine. I check out his profile, trying to gauge his sincerity. He seems earnest, but my mind immediately goes to Ethan. Has he heard these rumors too? Does he believe in them?

“Thank you for telling me this,” I say, my voice steady despite the turmoil inside me.

Matthew nods and turns to leave, disappearing into the trees. I stand there for a moment, processing everything. Ethan’s face flashes in my mind, and I can’t shake the feeling that there’s more to him than he’s letting on.

That night, I meet Ethan at the Tooth and Claw for our second date. The moment I step inside, I feel like an outsider. The bar is dark and dreary, with dim lighting casting long shadows across the worn wooden floors. The walls are adorned with old hunting trophies and faded photographs, giving the place an air of forgotten history. There are no women around, just groups of men hunched over their drinks, speaking in low, gravelly tones.

I spot Ethan at the bar, his presence a beacon in the otherwise unwelcoming atmosphere. He stands up when he sees me, offering a warm smile that momentarily eases my discomfort.

“Hey, Grace,” he greets, pulling out a stool for me.

“Hey,” I reply, taking a seat. The bartender, a tall, imposing man with piercing eyes, is wiping down the counter nearby. He glances at me, his gaze lingering a moment too long.

“What can I get you?” he asks, his voice gruff.

“Just a beer, thanks,” I say, trying to sound casual.

Ethan and I make small talk, but I can’t shake the feeling of being watched. The bartender, Adrian, interrupts us as he sets our drinks down. “Another round?” he asks, even though we’ve barely touched the first.

“No, we’re good,” Ethan replies, a hint of irritation in his voice.

Adrian nods but doesn’t move away, wiping the table near our elbows. The tension between us grows, and I decide to bring up the topic on my mind. “So, about those shifter rumors…”

Ethan’s expression tightens. “Grace, can we not talk about that right now?”

I frown, frustration bubbling up inside me. “Why not? It’s important, Ethan. I need to know.”

Before he can respond, Adrian interrupts us again, this time with a cloth in hand, wiping down the already-clean table. “Need anything else?” he asks, his eyes boring into Ethan.

“No, thank you,” I say, trying to keep my voice polite.

Adrian finally moves away, but the moment is lost. “Let’s find a quieter spot,” Ethan suggests, leading me to a table in the corner. The shadows here are deeper, and the noise from the bar is muffled. A few plants strategically placed around us give us some semblance of privacy. Hopefully, we’ll no longer be interrupted here.

We sit down, and I take a deep breath, deciding to try again. “Ethan, why are you so weird about this? Do you know something you’re not telling me?”

He glances around nervously, avoiding my gaze. “It’s just… complicated, Grace.”

“Complicated how?” I press, but before he can answer, Adrian appears again, this time with a tray of empty glasses. He starts wiping the table next to ours, his presence impossible to ignore.

I sigh, feeling a mix of anger and disappointment. “You know what? I think I should go. I have more research to do for my article.”

“Grace, wait,” Ethan protests, but I can’t shake the frustration of him withholding something from me.

“I can’t do this if you’re not going to be open with me,” I say, standing up and grabbing my bag. “I’ll see you around, Ethan.”

I walk out of the bar, my mind racing with questions and doubts. As much as I’m drawn to Ethan, I can’t ignore the feeling that he’s hiding something. And until I get to the bottom of these shifter rumors, I won’t rest.

8

ETHAN

“Grace, wait,” I entreat.

“I can’t do this if you’re not going to be open with me,” she says, a closed look on her face. She stands up with her bag and says with finality, “I’ll see you around, Ethan.”

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