Page 99 of Beneath the Blue Moon
I hang up, feeling just a little bit better.At least I’llhave my best friend here, even if it’s for a little while.
***Ethan***
“Ethan, it’s time for you to stop this.”
“Stop what, Mother?”
“This incessant drinking.You know it does nothing to you.”
For the first time in my life, I wish it wasn’t true; thenumbness they say comes from being drunk would be welcome right now.I would doanything to get rid of this feeling.Someone carved out an essential organ, andI’m slowly dying.I can’t eat, can’t sleep, can’t function properly.I havenever, in my life, felt so utterly destroyed.
I finish the last of my scotch and toss the empty bottle ontothe growing heap, then grab a new one from the case at my feet.I count ten emptybottles, and that’s just from tonight.
“Really?In that case, I’m testing the hypothesis thatwolves can get drunk.”
She turns to Charlie and Brick, both hands on her hips.“Whyare you two encouraging this behavior?”When they shrug helplessly, she turnsback to me.“It’s been almost two weeks.You gave your word that you would takea mate of The Council’s choosing if it didn’t work out with her.”
I fix her with an incredulous stare, wondering how a mothercould be so insensitive to her own child’s pain.
“You don’t get it, do you?Iloveher.That’s notjust going to disappear.”
“It’s called lust, not love.”
“You think I don’t know the difference?”
“I think that you think you’re in love with her, but it’stime to move forward.”
“With who?”I ask.“Shae?It doesn’t matter who you try tostick me with.Casey is mytruemate, and neither my wolf nor I will behappy without her.”
“She’s a human, for Christ’s sake!”she yells.
“Don’tpush me, Mother.You won’t like it if I pushback.”
“Oh?This is what love does?Makes you threaten your ownmother?”
“You know what?Just leave.This conversation is over.”
She looks completely horrified I would dare speak to herthat way, but I don’t give a fuck if her feelings are hurt.Right now, Casey isall that matters.Only Casey.Mother squares her shoulders and storms off.
“Did you have to be so harsh?”Brick asks.
Absentmindedly, I twirl the bottle in my hand, not lookingat him.
“You don’t understand.”
“Then explain it to me.To us.”
I take a deep breath and look him directly in the eyes.Howdo I make him understand?How do I convey a feeling that’s new to me.One Idon’t even understand myself?How do I make everyone understand I’m nothingwithout her?
“The moon reflects light from the sun.It doesn’t make itsown.I’m the moon.She’s the sun.”
***Casey***
“Casey!”
“Hey, Jan!”I hop onto one of the stools and survey the bar.“I see you’re managing without me.”
“Barely.When are you coming back?”
