Laughter floated in from the living room. “Declan ordered the furniture. He said even though most guests will probably be human, shifters may come as well. And most male shifters are larger than the average human man.”
I flattened the box I’d just emptied and walked back into the main room. A sitting area held a couch and two chairs, while a two-person table was beside a kitchenette that covered the back wall. It wasn’t large, but I liked the coziness, enhanced by a smattering of plush rugs and billowing curtains. Framed photos graced the walls. “Are these your work?”
Chloe glanced over from the kitchenette, where she was stacking my dishes in the cupboard. “Yes. Most of them are of the ranch. Take them down if you want to hang your own artwork.”
I shook my head. “These are gorgeous. I’ll add some family pictures, of course. I want Jonah to know his mom will always be remembered.” Tears pricked my eyes, and I cleared my throat. “And that he can always talk about her.”
Chloe quickly crossed over to me, wrapping me in her arms. “I know I’ve said it before, Hannah, but I’m so sorry for your loss. If there’s anything I can do to help either you or Jonah through this difficult time, please tell me.”
I focused on my breathing as I blinked back the tears. I’d been holding myself together for Jonah since the accident, and I just knew if I let the tears fall, they might never stop. And there was too much to do right now to surrender to my grief. “Thank you. I?—”
“What’s wrong?”
I stepped away from Chloe as Ethan came back through the front door, Gabriel right behind him. He tossed the box he carried onto the couch and with two long strides stood in front of me, nudging Chloe out of the way. He grabbed my shoulders, his powerful hands gentle as he pulled me closer. “Why are you crying?” His brows drew together as he searched my face. Concern radiated from him, and he took a protective stance, his gaze turning suspicious as he surveyed the room. “Whatever’s wrong, I’ll take care of it.”
“Everything’s fine—” I barely got the words out before he responded.
“It’s not fine. You’re crying. What made you cry?” Panic filled his gaze. He narrowed his eyes at Chloe. “Did you make her cry?”
Her jaw dropped. “Calm down, Ethan. No one did anything to her.”
“Then why is she cr?—”
“I swear, if you ask why she’s crying one more time, I’m going to smack you.” Chloe huffed, exasperation coloring her voice. “Leave it alone.”
“But—”
I cut him off and gestured for Chloe to stand down. “I was just thinking about my sister. Jonah’s mom. She died a few weeks ago.” My voice wobbled, but I fought for control. “It’s been hard holding it together for Jonah, and sometimes it just hits me she’s really gone.”
“I’m sorry.” He enveloped me in his arms, his hug comforting in a way I hadn’t expected. I couldn’t resist resting my cheek against his chest and breathing his scent deeply. He stroked my back, the warmth of his touch soothing. It made me want to sink into him and let everything go. My instincts told me this man would pick up the pieces after.
But I knew better than to rely on a man. Especially one who had a fated mate waiting for him.
I pulled back and moved to step away, but his arms stayed securely around me, as if loathe to let me go. I pushed lightly against him, and he reluctantly loosened his hold. My eyes slid to his, intending only to stay for a second, but his gaze captured mine.
Earlier, his dark eyes had held surprise. Then laughter. Now, they seemed filled with something deeper. As if making a promise to me. But what they promised, I didn’t know.
“Hey, Ethan, give the lady some space.” Gabriel stepped closer, his hand falling onto his brother’s shoulder.
Ethan spun, shoving me behind him with a growl. “Mine!”
My muscles tightened, and I tried to step around him, but Ethan kept his body between us. Frowning, I caught a glimpse of Gabriel and saw him moving backward, his hands held up infront of him and a shocked look on his face. “Sorry, Ethan. I didn’t know.”
Ethan’s shoulders were stiff as tension radiated from him. Despite his display of aggression toward his brother, I wasn’t scared. But I was confused. I looked to Chloe for help, unsure what was happening, but her attention stayed focused on the man blocking me. Her eyes widened, and her jaw hung open, as if she wanted to speak but didn’t have the words.
I reached out with a tentative hand, laying it lightly against Ethan’s back. “What’s going on?”
His shoulders rose as he took in a deep breath and relaxed into my touch. He turned around slowly and raked his hair back with his fingers. A light flush spread across his cheeks as he met my gaze. He swallowed, hesitating briefly before he spoke, his voice pitched low, like he wanted only me to hear him. “I didn’t mean for you to find out like this.”
“Find out what?” The words came out in a whisper, and my heart raced. The certainty that something huge was about to happen nearly overwhelmed me.
“You’re my mate.”
His answer echoed through my head, sinking into me, permeating my entire being. His mate. My brain scrambled to remember everything Chloe had told me about the subject. But I couldn’t seem to grasp anything but Ethan’s words. His mate. His. It just kept going around and around.
His hopeful eyes remained fixed on me. He wanted more from me right now than I could give him. I didn’t know if I ever could. I just knew that I couldn’t think with him this close to me. Even knowing that, I still had to force the words out. “I need to be alone.”
THREE
