Chapter 30 Alpha Ethan POV I woke up to the ray of light coming from the window . slowly got out of bed , pulling the curtains closed as larly got up . Today was the second day Raven had been unconscious , and also the second day I had asked Olivia to use the other room . I signed in frustration - my tile was a mess . Just then , my phone rang , snapping me out of my thoughts . I reached for the phone , glancing at the screen . " Hello " came the cheerful voice . " Hello . Elisa , Ispoke out . " How are you , and is everything okay ? " she asked . " Yeah , " i muttered , even though the word felt dry on my lips . " Okay , just called to check on you ... .. " " I'm not a kid , and you know that , " I told her with a chuckle . " I know - always being the big brother . And also , I want to inform you that I will be home next week . " I blinked in disbelief . " Next week ? " I repeated , adjusting my grip on the phone . " Yeah ," Elisa replied cheerfully . " I need a break from the city . I miss home ... and I miss you , Ethan . " Her voice softened , and for a moment , it tugged at something buried beneath the weight i'd been carrying " I miss you too , little sis , " I murmured . " But don't expect a warm welcom . Things here are a mess . " She laughed . " When have things not been messy with you ? " That pulled a chuckle from me , even though the weight on my chest didn't lift . " Fair enough . " We exchanged a few more words before she hung up , leaving me alone with my thoughts again . I tossed my phone on the bed and sat on the edge . rubbing my temples . It was only morning , and already I felt exhausted . Raven hadn't woken up . Two days unconscious . Two days of silence from her , and two days of battling my own frustration , confusion , and guilt . And then there was Olivia I had asked her to use the other room , needing space to think , but the damage was already done . I'd allowed her too close for too long . I should've seen the warning signs . Dragging myself into the bathroom , I turned on the shower and stepped under the hot spray . The steam wrapped around me , but it didn't melt the tension lodged deep in my muscles . As I stood there , letting the water run over me , I thought about Elisa . Her voice so bright , so alive - was a stark contrast to everything around me . I dressed quickly in a navy button - down shirt and slacks , ran a hand through my damp hair , and headed out By the time I arrived at the pack's administrative wing , the building was already buzzing Wolves moved about with clipboards , tablets , and murmured voices . Some nodded in greeting as I passed , I nodded back but didn't stop . Inside my office , a stack of business contracts and documents awaited me- partnerships with suppliers from neighboring packs , territory leasing agreements , and security expenditure reports . Our pack wasn't just strong ; it was a powerhouse of trade , land management , and influence . But with that 1/3 20:39 Fri , 18 Jul . Chapter 30 came constant meetings , decisions , and headaches I sat down and flipped open the first folder : territory agreement with the Northern Peak Pack . We'd been renegotiating border rights for over a one Their Alpha wanted unrestricted hunting in our shared forest , but I wasn't about be let my people get pushed around , I scribbled my response to the margin , making it clear they could either agree to the patrol rotation or forfeit the deal entirely . Nest was a finance meeting with our treasurer , Mason . He walked in with a briefcase and a grim expression . " We're over budget on the new training compound , " he said without pleasantries . " And the construction team is threatening to walk out unless their pay is increased ." " Why am I just hearing this new ? " Lasked , my voice sharp . " Because the Luma signed off on the last phase of the contract before you restricted her access . " 1 cursed under my breath . " Out overtime and renegotiate equipment sourcing . We'll find another contractor if we have to ." Mason nodded , clearly relieved I was still making decisions . " I'll get on it ." He left just as my Beta , Matthew , entered . He had two binders tucked under his arm and a strong cup of coffee in his hand " Your calendar is packed today , " he said . " You've got a conference call with the Southern Alliance Pack in thirty minutes , and a face - to - face with the regional council at three . " I took the coffee without responding skimming through the binder Mathew laid in front of me . The Southern Alliance wanted to purchase a portion of our east river land for development . I didn't mind selling , but not if it gave them too much control over our waterways . Strategic power wasn't just about wolves - it was about trade , flow , and leverage . " Push the Southern call forward by fifteen minutes , " I told him . " And reschedule the council if they're late , don't have time to babysit their egos " Mathew smirked . " You're in a mood today . " " Is it because of her ? " he asked . -Stop it , Mathew , " isnapped at him . phis hands in surrender , " Just saying " He held up h By the time the sun dipped below the horizon , casting the sky in deep shades of orange and purple , I was done . Mentally drained . Physically exhausted . And still , the silence in the pack house felt louder than ever , I couldn't go back there . Not yet . I needed noise - laughter , music , distraction . Anything but the weight of my thoughts . So , I got in my car and drove . Not toward home , but to the outskirts of town where a sleek , modern club had opened a few months ago - LUX . It wasn't exactly my scene , but right now , I didn't care . The neon sign buzzed faintly as I pulled up , parking in the VIP lot . A bouncer recognized me and stepped aside without a word . Perks of being Alpha I didn't acknowledge him- barely even looked up . Inside , the bass hit me first . Heavy . Fast Alive , Lights strobed in bursts of blue and violet , catching on glittering dresses , raised glasses , and moving bodies . The air was thick with perfume , sweat , and the sharp bite of alcohol I headed straight to the bar , ignoring the way people turned to look - some in recognition , others in curiosity . Let them look . I wasn't here for them . " Whiskey Neat , " I told the bartender , a young man with piercings and a quick nod . 213 20:39 Fri , 18 Jul ' Chapter 30 5 r a minute . I downed half of it in one go The drink but the counter in under a ng the music push into me , fill the space Raven had left behind . The space Olivia had poisoned . The spars even Elisa's Hleaned back against the bar , letting voice couldn't quite reach . A few women watched me from a nearby booth - dressed to kill , eyes sharp with interest . One of them made her way over , swaying to the beat like the had nowhere else to be but in front of me . " Looking lonely , Alpha ," she said , her voice low and teasing . I gave her a glance . " Not lo looking for company She pouted playfully but backed off Another sip of whiskey . Then another , I didn't want meaningless conversation . I wanted silence inside the noise . Just for a night . And still , my mind wandered . To Raven . To how p pale she looked lying there . To the unanswered questions . The secrets . To the way she said she didn't do it I should've believed her . I shut my eyes , gripping the glass tighter as the club's music pounded like a second heartbeat . Tonight , I wasn't Alpha Ethan . I wasn't anyo ne's mate . I was just a man trying to forget a pull he didn't understand towards someone . At least for a few hours . 田 AD Comment Discover our latest featured short drama reel. Watch now and enjoy the story!