Page 13 of Ethan
Maybe I could actually learn something from this guy. But then it hit me. That scent.
Soft pine. Rain-washed stone. Sweetness that made my pulse stutter.
I froze for half a second. Just long enough.
Griffin swept my legs out from under me and I hit the ground hard, dust rising around me in a humiliating puff.
He stepped back, arms loose at his sides, breathing only slightly heavier than usual.
“What happened there?” he asked, brows drawing together. “You were doing well. Then you just checked out.”
I sat up, scowling, rubbing at my shoulder. “Nothing. Mind your business.”
But I already knew. My head whipped toward the edge of the yard, and there he was. Ethan.
Leaning against a wooden post, arms crossed, looking annoyingly good. His eyes found mine, and just like that, the ache in my ribs had company.
“What are you doing here?” I blurted.
He raised one brow. “I came to check on you two.”
My gaze cut to Griffin. They exchanged a look, familiar and easy. Jealousy slammed through me like a sucker punch.
Griffin grinned. “We’re doing well. Hot-head here’s remarkably well-behaved today.”
“Not bad,” Ethan said, smirking faintly. “Shows promise.”
“I’m right here,” I snapped.
Ethan’s smirk widened, and damn him, it looked good on him.
“Well, that’s good to hear,” he said, already turning to leave. “Don’t get yourself knocked out again, Dean.”
And just like that, he was gone. I stared after him, pulse still pounding. The silence stretched until Griffin moved again, casual, unbothered.
“You like him,” Griffin pointed out.
I scoffed, grabbing my water bottle. “Didn’t say that.”
“You didn’t have to,” Griffin said with a shrug.
I sat in the dirt, wiping sweat from my forehead. My curiosity got the better of me. “Is there something between you and Ethan?”
Griffin raised an eyebrow. “We were neighbors. I’ve known him since I was a kid.”
That stung. He didn’t say no. He didn’t say yes either, but the way he said we know each other quite well felt like a fist to the ribs.
“Training’s done for the day,” he added, already turning to walk back toward the main house. “Not bad, Thornebane.”
I didn’t respond. I just stood, gathered my things, and headed to the dining hall.
By the time I got there, my shirt stuck to my back with sweat, and I was starving. The scent of roasted meat, bread, and something spiced greeted me as I stepped in.
The room went quiet for a beat too long. Some of the wolves gave me wide berth. Others watched me with open curiosity. I ignored them all. Let them stare.
I grabbed a sandwich and a bottle of water and found an empty table near the back. Just as I sat down and unwrapped the sandwich, my phone buzzed.
Carter. Of course.
