Avenging The Triplet Alphas
Chapter 30

Ethan's POV

"There's been a new development, Ethan." Klaus began as he made his way into my office.

I didn't turn from my spot as I heard his voice behind me. He had been his Beta ever since the death of my father and he had remained diligently by my side, working towards the prosperity of our pack.

I hated to be bothered with anything he would have to say right now but I knew that it couldn't be ignored. The only reason Klaus would come searching for me was because it required my attention.

I had been hearing filters from the servants about a potential rumor but I didn't pay it any heed.

But if Klaus was here, I guessed there was a semblance of credibility to it and if the reports were true and if they were anything to go by, it was something that should be tackled immediately before it began to gain momentum.

Ethan had always looked forward to meeting his mate, he was a late groomer according to Luciana. Those kinds of wolves were rare and I hadn't seen any in my lifetime aside from myself. I was certain that the Moon Goddess was keeping someone special for me when the time was right. Luciana had often told me that she was impressed by my optimism and that was why she had kept mute allowing me to bask in the euphoria that he would get mated to the most desirable she-wolf out there.

I was a man of few words and I rarely spoke about my worries to anyone but over the past few weeks, I've found myself wanting to talk to someone about everything piling up inside of me. If I didn't know any better, despite my calm demeanor on the outside, I was willing to place a wager that Klaus knew I was engaged in a raging battle with myself.

"It's quite paramount that we speak about a couple of urgent matters."

I acknowledged Klaus' words but I didn't move from my spot just yet. I was staring at the windows just behind the mahogany table in my office, my eyes were fixed on the moon.

It was a full moon tonight.

Growing up, I had been told by numerous teachers that the full moon was the best period to make wishes to the Moon Goddess. There was every chance that she would hearken to your wishes and grant them within a short period. They were all lies.

Lied to fill the hearts of young children, to make them believe in something that was merely a fantasy.

It didn't exist, it never did.

I would never publicly admit it to anyone but I had spent years offering wishes to the full moon, praying for the kind of Luna that would want to help him carry on his legacy and Arielle had come my way but I wasn't satisfied yet.

I had showered her with all kinds of extravagant gifts and items to prove my love to her. I was at her every beck and call, there was nothing she wanted that wasn't provided within a matter of minutes. She had me wrapped around her fingers and she knew how much I loved her.

Heck, everyone knew.

But she still had restrictions when it came to loving me unconditionally. She tried so hard to hide them often but they were there, staring me in the face, mocking me for my inability to help her forget her past.

Old folklore had it that true love died hard and I was a victim of that.

Our wedding was in a few months and I would be claiming her as my mate on that day. What would happen if she hadn't fully let go of the past?

"What could it be this time, Klaus?" I turned to face Klaus sprawled out on the couch.

"You need to sit down for this," Klaus answered, gesturing towards the empty couch opposite his.

"I don't think I can take anymore bad news, man. I've had a lot to deal with these past few weeks and I'm fed up already. Plus my wedding is coming up, there's a lot for me to worry about

I sighed before dragging my unwilling legs towards the sofa and dropping into it.

"You would have to decide that yourself, that's why I came to you." Klaus propped himself up as he faced me.

I could swear that I looked like I wanted to be anywhere else but here.

"If this was something you could take care of, why bring it to me?" I narrowed my eyes at him, eager to get this done with.

"Because it concerns your fiancée and I can't make any decisions about it. It's up to you to decide what you want to do with whatever I tell you."

"Klaus..." I began in a low menacing tone.

"I'm sorry," Klaus raised his hands in surrender. "You don't like being kept on the edge either, right?"

I could detect a hint of sarcasm in Klaus' voice. We hadn't spoken much over the past couple of months as he's been away on official duties and it seemed like we were due for a conversation before we went any further. "You don't approve of my silence regarding a couple of things," I stated. It wasn't a question, it was a statement.

"You've made a couple of decisions without me. With all due respect, you would've to be specific if I'm to figure out what you mean."

Klaus rarely lost his temper. I couldn't remember the last time I saw him so close to being outrightly pissed.

"I didn't tell you about Arielle and I'm sorry about that. I should've but I don't have any tangible reason why I didn't, I just guess I was just waiting for you to come back."

"Yes, there's that and there's also the fact that you're going mad trying to get her to love you unconditionally."

"I can't lose her, Klaus. I've given her so much but what if she doesn't want me at the end? What would I do then? What do I tell people? It would be embarrassing for me." I questioned, clenching and unclenching my fists. "The Ethan I knew back then wouldn't care about other people's opinion, he never did. All he wanted to do was the right thing for his sake and the betterment of his pack but now..."

Heck, everyone knew.

But she still had restrictions when it came to loving me unconditionally. She tried so hard to hide them often but they were there, staring me in the face, mocking me for my inability to help her forget her past. "Things change, I have changed." I interrupted him.

"I love this woman, Klaus. She's special, she's the best woman I've ever been with and I know she has deep feelings for me but she just needs a little push, a little convincing and I need to do that."

"So what? You're going to cajole Arielle and blind her with lavish gifts to win her over properly?"

"If that is what it would take, I'm willing to go the extra mile to make it happen."

"You don't approve of my decision. Is that it?" I asked Klaus after a long period of silence.

"You're my Alpha," He replied. "I am bound by duty and honor to accept your decree."

"I don't need any of this nonsensical stuff right now." I glared at him. "I'm asking you, brother to brother. Tell me what you think of my decision."

"What I said remains true. I can only hope that you don't end up regretting going down this route." Klaus answered.

I nodded, eager to see to the end of this discussion.

"What brings you here? You made mention of something concerning Arielle that requires my approval."

"Yes, I did."

"Did something happen to her? I haven't spoken to her in a few days and I know nothing concerning her well-being. Is it little Ethan?" I was beside myself with worry. Maybe I needed to go back to her instead of keeping my distance. "It has to do with Arielle but the concerns are from outside of the pack."

I could sense my alarm bells going off immediately. There hasn't been any news of any pack or the Van Tyson's coming to claim Arielle for months now nor has there been any indication that she's been wanted.

"How did you arrive at this conclusion, Klaus?"

"A few weeks ago, I had a report brought to me by one of our spies in one of the packs in the northern part about a prominent investigator making inquiries from their Alpha about a stray she-wolf. He wanted to know if she's been spotted in the pack or seen passing through their territory." Klaus answered.

I wanted to take this news with a pinch of salt and deem it as pretty irrelevant to the numerous duties we had piling up but I knew I would be wrong to do so because, over the past week, I've had similar reports brought to my desk from other wolf packs in the northern area about inquiries being carried out by an investigator.

I didn't want to believe the rumors I heard from the servants were true either but Klaus wouldn't provide half-baked information to me.

"What are the odds that they could be searching for Arielle?" I asked but I knew the answer already.

"I had the same thought at first. But then, how many stray pregnant wolves have you seen in your lifetime?" Klaus asked me.

"One. The only one living under my roof at the moment." I replied.