I thought about it and replied, "I'll come see you whenever I can."
Lirian’s voice was low and rough, as if he was struggling to hold something back. “Hmm,” he mumbled, his eyes lingering on mine, filled with unspoken words.
With one last look, I turned and left, heading back to Moonshadow.
As I stepped inside my home, the warm glow of the lamps greeted me, but I barely had a moment to take in the comfort of my surroundings before I noticed Ethan sitting on the couch, his expression serious and uncharacteristically tense.
He looked up as I entered, his jaw clenched slightly, and I realized he was upset.
I approached him cautiously, sensing a storm brewing beneath his calm demeanor. “Ethan? What’s wrong?”
His eyes narrowed, and there was a hardness in his gaze I rarely saw.
“Back already?” he asked, his tone edged with frustration. “Alaric called, said you were at Iron Claw. Thought you weren’t coming back tonight.”
I stared at Ethan, my mind racing.
“How is that even possible?” I cried out. “If I was going to be late back, I would have told you myself! There’s no way I’d let anyone else call. It must have been some kind of misunderstanding on Mr. Alaric’s part.”
Ethan folded his arms, his gaze fixed and unwavering. “Sophia, maybe this is more than a misunderstanding.” His voice held a restrained edge. “I know I shouldn’t meddle in your personal matters.
But Sophia, you just got out of things with Ryan, and now I see you around Lirian constantly. I can’t help but worry. Do you really understand how this could end?”
The concern in his eyes softened the hard lines on his face, and I could feel the weight of his care in his words.
Ethan wasn’t just my brother; he was my protector.
“Don’t worry, Ethan. I understand.” I offered him a gentle smile, hoping it would reassure him. “I’m not about to make the same mistakes again.”
Ethan studied me, searching for any trace of hesitation. When he didn’t find it, his expression eased. “Alright. As long as you know. I just… don’t want to see you get hurt, Sophia.”
I nodded, sensing a subtle shift in the air between us. The usual tension that accompanied our conversations seemed to dissipate. For once, Ethan’s protectiveness didn’t feel overbearing. It felt comforting
He must have sensed the peace settling over us, too, because he cleared his throat and spoke with a gentler tone.
Comments
The readers' comments on the novel: After I left, the twin Alphas went crazy