~Aurora.
Something had happened, I wasn't sure what it was. Something changed in me, in Ethan, again, I wasn't sure what it was but, I was certain it was a type of that I didn't want.
It was certainly the type of change I didn't want.
As I made my way to the guest quarters, I couldn't help but think of how in sync our hearts had been when I hugged him. I shouldn't have hugged him, I knew, but, I couldn't have ignored him also, not when he was so fragile and vulnerable at that moment.
I mean, Ethan almost dropped a tear.
Arne was already fast asleep when I stepped into the room almost breathless, the blanket with which he was covered was already pooled at his feet and I immediately figured he had long been asleep.
Sighing, my eyes darted around the room; the time read something minutes to eleven pm and with the trolley of food still in the room, I could that the nanny had been with Arne just as Sam as promised.
Quickly, I stepped into the bathroom to freshen up, as I hadn't gotten the chance to do it earlier.
The hot water was refreshing and soothing against my aching bones and troubled mind and just as I began wishing to last in the moment forever, the water began to run cold, and I grudgingly turned off the shower, put on my nightgown and planted myself next to Arne.
Fixed in one position, I waited for sleep to engulf me, but, all that came to me was the rhythms of some certain heartbeat. I sighed, I tossed and turned and waited for sleep and when I couldn't wait any longer, I got off the bed, pulled a jacket over my night dress and made my way to the servants' quarters.
Perhaps, I thought, Jessie would be around and wouldn't mind that I was coming in so late. I had promised to visit her anyway and work wouldn't let me visit her during the day, it was only right I did when I had the chance, right?
Heavens, I felt so pathetic.
Just as I stepped into the palace grounds to make my way to the servants'quarters, I bumped into a brick wall, which sent me staggering. Without looking up, I closed my eyes and tried to calm myself, I was already too bothered by something… someone to snap.
“Oh, I'm sorry ma'am, but don't you think I should be the one with that reaction? You bumped into me.”
I jerked my head up before slowly peeling my eyelids open. I knew that voice. I could recognize it in the midst of a thousand voices.
Rubbing my head out of impulse, I shook my head, “Yeah, you are right. Forgive me my Lord, I was in a haste, I hadn't watched my tracks well.”
Ethan took a step back, corked his head and looked down at me with an expression I could seem to put a finger on.
Taking a deep breath, I inwardly shook my head. Ethan was not the best person to be with, especially not at that moment. Especially not anytime soon.
“If you would excuse me, my Lord, I was headed somewhere.”
“What are you doing, Aurora?” Ethan snapped before the words could leave my lips. “What is this thing you are doing? Hmm?” He took a step closer while narrowing his eyes down at me.
“I am merely trying to get to the servants' quarters, my Lo…"
I felt a grip around my neck as Ethan pulled me to him, bringing me closer to his face. His exhalation fell to the tip of my nose. Cold shivers ran down my spine and pooled in between my legs, my lips parted on instinct and I tried to draw in sharp breaths to keep myself from rubbing my thighs against each other.
This wasn't right. Ethan wasn't right. The last thing I needed was getting hurt again by the same person who had sworn to do it over once more. I needed to leave, to run and hide away from him.
“Your highness, I…" His grip on my neck tightened, sending more sensation down my body and sucked in a sharp breath. “Let go of me.” I said through gritted teeth.
“E-T-H-A-N, Ethan. You are to address me as Ethan, Aurora.”
Zoey jumped in excitement as Ethan's breath fell on me. She howled, longing for her mate's touch but, Ethan and his mate were the last thing we needed.
“Say it, Aurora, say it.”
My throat bobbed when I swallowed, “why would I address the leader of this pack by his name?” I stared my sternly into his eyes.
“The leader of this pack?” I nodded. That was what he was, after all. “Say my name, Aurora.”
“Need I remind you that you can't order me around?”
“Say it!” He ordered, his voice more stern. I pulled myself off his grip and pushed him away, but it seemed as though as I merely patted him as he barely moved.
Who did he think he was ordering me like I was his slave?
“You have no right, absolutely no right to speak to me like that, my Lord. You may be the Alpha of this pack, but I deserve as much respect as I accord you. You are not to speak to me like that ever. Again.” My voice came out stern, just like it did when I dish out orders.
“Fuck, Aurora.” He ran a hand over his face and nodded continuously as he stepped to the side, giving me access to continue on my way. “You were headed somewhere, yeah? You can't continue on your way.”
I shook my head, “I no longer wish to be there, I would rather go back to my room.”
“Then fucking leave, Aurora.”
My brows furrowed, and I took many steps towards him until I closed up the gap between us. I raised a finger at him, “mind the way you talk to me.” I said in a low, stern voice.
He chewed his teeth as he darted his eyes back and forth between me and my finger, “watch your tone with me, Aurora. Don't give me a reason to act out on you.” His voice matched mine.
“You have no right to order me around.”
“When I tell you to do something, you fucking do it, Aurora. Now, go back to your room.”
“You can't order me around, Ethan.”
The corner of his lips tilted up in a small smile that didn't reach his eyes, “you are not so stubborn, you know.” Taking a step away from me, his smile fell as he stood straight and straightened his shirt, "you can do whatever you like, I will leave. Have a good night, Aurora.”
I forced a spittle down my throat as I watched Ethan peel away with so much mixed elegance. Something had happened to him, I was certain, and I would be damned if I didn't find out what it was.