7 Chapter 7 7 Chapter 7 By the time Ethan arrived , it was the next day . The guests were gone , and Gabriel and I were revisiting the old spots . His eyes were bloodshot . He grabbed my arm and refused to let go . " Why ? Just because I changed the ceremony location , you canceled our bonding ? " I answered flatly , " Maybe that was the reason , maybe it wasn't . The truth is , this wasn't about one thing . It was about everything . I was just tired ." Ethan pointed at Gabriel , unwilling to accept it . " What can he give you ? We have six years of history ! You can't just get marked by some random guy to spite me ! " I looked at him , on the verge of breaking down . " We've known each other for eight years . He's not a stranger ." Ethan took a step back . " So … you two were already together ? You cheated on me ? " I gave a helpless , bitter smile . Of course that's how he saw me . " You said I wasn't understanding . Well , your very understanding Kira is waiting for you . Don't let her get cold , you wouldn't want her to suffer . " " This time , if she gets hurt again , I won't be using what's left of my healing abilities for her ." Ethan stared blankly , shaking his head . " You're still just pouting … This is about Kira , isn't it ? " " I told you , she's all alone . I was just being a little kinder to her . Why can't you understand how difficult my position is ? " I shook my head . " I do understand . That's why I'm not making it difficult for you anymore . I'm leaving you to make things easier for you ." Ethan froze . " That's not what I want … " " What you want is for me to be generous , to suffer in silence , so you can have the best of both worlds … But I'm not willing to sacrifice myself anymore . The man I want must belong to me completely , body and soul ! " I cut him off . If we were ending this , I was going to make everything clear . " I'm not willing to have you spend my birthday with someone else ." 20 : 1/4 < 7 Chapter 7 " I'm not willing to be abandoned when I'm injured and need you , just so you can answer a phone call ." " I'm not willing to be forced to heal someone else at the medical center when I'm the one who needs healing , and when I collapse , to have you accuse me of faking it . " With every sentence I spoke , the color drained from Ethan's face . He couldn't believe I held so much resentment . He thought for a moment , then said defensively , " If you were so unhappy , why didn't you say anything … If you don't speak up , how am I supposed to know you're hurting … " I scoffed . " Did I not say anything ? " " Did I not fight with you about it ? " " And didn't you just call me childish ? " Ethan's face went pale . He had no reply . I stared at him . " Do you even remember why I chose Aurora Peak for our bonding ceremony ? " Ethan paused , then answered casually . " The scenery is nice … But isn't a beach more romantic ? " I smiled coldly . " Of course you don't know . You never respected my choices . There's no need to regret it now . " " You should go . We should have ended this a long time ago ." Ethan stood frozen , unwilling to leave , but Kira couldn't take it anymore . The cold wind blew into her coat , and she shivered . " Ethan , I don't feel well … " As they went down the mountain , he kept looking back at me , but Gabriel and I were heading up . Ethan watched my back , and it suddenly dawned on him . He finally remembered that the peak was where we first met . He loved to push his limits , climbing snow - capped mountains and challenging forbidden zones . He always dismissed my worries with , " What's there to be afraid of ? I'm an Alpha . " I was always the one cleaning up his messes , preparing first - aid kits , planning his routes , and researching local medical and rescue services . I remember a year ago , Ethan and his pack planned a hike on an undeveloped snowy mountain . I tried to warn him . 20.13 214 7 Chapter 7 " The weather forecast says there's a blizzard tomorrow . It's too dangerous . " Ethan didn't care . " What's the big deal ? I'm experienced , nothing will happen ! " " We met on a snowy mountain five years ago , remember ? " I argued that a tourist spot was different from an undeveloped area , but he wouldn't listen . On their way back , they were caught in a blizzard . Ethan slipped on a steep slope and was left . dangling from a cliff's edge . I desperately held onto him , but the rock was loose , and we both fell . The moment we hit the ground , I used my body to shield him , taking the full impact against a wall of ice . I passed out instantly . I was critically injured , my wolf core was damaged , and I almost died . " If she recovers well , she might survive , but she'll need long - term treatment ." When Ethan heard the healer's words , he cried by my bedside , clutching my hand . " From now on , I'll be the one to protect you . I'll take care of you for the rest of my life ! " " When you get better , we'll have our bonding ceremony . I will never let you down ! " At first , Ethan was attentive . He came with me to my treatments every day and helped me with pack documents . " It doesn't matter if you can never shift again . You have me . " Later , as my body slowly recovered but still required regular check - ups , Ethan grew impatient . " You can walk now , can't you ? Do I really have to come with you every time ? " " Kira needs me . She's all alone , I can't just leave her . " Eventually , he even forgot the dates of my appointments . " You never used to be so needy . I already agreed to marry you . What more do you want ? " Ethan remembered everything now . He finally understood that I insisted on Aurora Peak not just because it was where we met , but because it was where I had risked my life for him , a place that symbolized our life - and - death bond . On the drive back , Ethan turned on the music in the car . When he heard the familiar song , he suddenly remembered it was my favorite . In the corner of the passenger side dashboard was a sticky note I had left . " It turns out I'm the only one who remembered . " Ethan rested his head on the steering wheel and broke down , sobbing . I'm sorry , Sarah … I was wrong .