Ditched Cheating Alpha, I Led My Daughter to Life's Peak novel Chapter 330

As I mull over his words, Ethel looks in Shen's direction. She looks at anything but him. The walls. The carpet. Her hands. He takes a few careful steps towards her, stopping about a foot away. They stand in silence. He opens his mouth. He closes it. He opens his mouth. He falters.

He turns to Fei, whispering, "I'll be back soon, okay, Fei? Don't eat too much apple-"

"Don't say it," Shen blurts out. "Don't even get her subconscious on it."

Ethel smiles. "Good thinking."

More silence.

"Well..." Ethel looks toward the door. "I should go."

"Yeah..."

"I'll..." His eyes stay on her. Then, he glances away. Then, he reaches toward her hand. Then, he pulls away and scratches the back of his head. "I'll be back before anyone misses me."

She presses her lips together and nods. "Okay."

He nods too, heading off.

"Ethel," Shen calls out.

He looks back quickly, closing the distance between them. "Yeah?"

She worries her bottom lip between her teeth. "Maybe don't die? I mean only if you can help it. Don't stress yourself out trying, but... you know."

You would've thought she declared her undying love for him. He seems absolutely starstruck as he nods vehemently and marches to the door. "Okay." He pauses, taking one last look towards the steps before he turns the knob of the front door. Onai falls in line behind him.

All of our heads turn in his direction, including Ethel's.

"You wanted that hug after all, didn't you?" Ethel asks.

"Shut up," Onai says. "I'm going with you."

What? Michael snaps upright and looks between Onai and me. I look at Axel. Axel puts his hands up. He's just as surprised. What is this?

"Are you serious?" Ethel asks.

Onai nods. Ethel falls into his arms, sobbing. "Oh, thank god. I was about to break down the second I was away from everyone."

I think we all feel like breaking down now. It's not that we don't care about Ethel, but now we're risking two people. Krys launches off the couch, hug-attacking Onai from the back. "No, Oni! You can't go, too."

"Gee, thanks." Ethel gives her a flat look.

She waves him away, holding onto Onai for dear life, but he has it in his mind. So, after a long staring match with Michael, he goes. He and Ethel are here one second and then gone.

I can't take my eyes off the double doors in front of us. We're inside Town Hall right now, but there's a crowd of less-than-pleased werewolves outside demanding answers.

Beside her, Suzie gives me a flat look. "Honestly, Mia," she mutters like she's talking to a drama queen. "It's just one public speech. These are your people!"

"If you're not going to help..." Bri glares at her. "Go with the other unhelpful people." She points in Aiden's direction.

Aiden sends a steely look from the corner of his eyes.

Suzie gasps, holding her manicured hand to her chest. "Excuse me?"

Bri offers her no further explanation, turning to me again. "Look. The brothers will do the majority of the talking, so you really have nothing to worry about."

That does nothing to calm my nerves.

Aiden is currently covering last-minute details with the elders. Carson's going over the "battle plan" with Coach Kenet for the millionth time. Axel's already outside trying to calm the masses, and I'm just trying to process the fact that this is happening.

"What if they ask me something?" I sweep my gaze over Bri, Krys, and Suzie.

They look at me incredulously.

"Uh." Suzie furrows her brow. "Maybe try answering them...?"

Krys elbows her. "Just do your best, Mia."

"Exactly." Bri nods. "Just do the best. Not your best. Just the best."