~ Helena ~
I hugged myself. I could understand Ethan’s fear, but why did he hide it from me? Is it because I decided to come to Constantine? “Why do you just tell me now? Because of Constantine?”
“What are you talking about? It has nothing to do with Constantine.”
“Really? Then why do you hide it for so long?”
Ethan scratched his head. “Because I wished I could eliminate the curse after returning from Crescent Island. After that, I planned to tell you so you wouldn’t need to worry.”
I squinted my eyes. “Is it true?”
“Yes, my love.”
“Is it nothing to do with the rivalry between you and Constantine? He told me that you are half-brothers with him. He also told me that you hated him.”
Ethan let out a long sigh. “We are half-brothers. We had the same father but different mothers. I don’t hate him, actually, but he does. He always wants anything I have.” He stared at me. “Maybe it’s why he goes after you.” Ethan closed his eyes. “He wanted Cathy, then Lynnette, and now you. While he already has a mistress.”
“A mistress?!” It shocked me since I had never thought Constantine had a mistress.
“Yes, Victoria Lewis is possessive of Constantine. She is a vampire. That was why I told you to stay away from him. You put yourself in danger by connecting with him.”
“A werewolf and a vampire …. They will be a powerful couple.” I shook my head. “Then why does Constantine want me?”
“He told me if Victoria had a child, the child couldn’t be his heir. So, he wanted you to have his heir.”
“But why?”
“I don’t know. It’s only Constantine who knows the reason. Maybe because he dislikes having a mistress’s child to be his.”
I frowned upon hearing that. “But didn’t Constantine choose Victoria to be his mistress?”
“Yes.”
“It sounds hypocritical for me.”
Ethan nodded. “Yes, but we know how proud Constantine is. He always insists on using his royal title.”
I glanced at him. “Red told me that you are royalty too. So, do you have a royal title?”
Ethan grinned. “Of course.”
“What is it?”
“Why? Do you want to know what title you will have later?”
I giggled. “No, but I’m curious.”
“Well, I’m their king in my pack, but my title is duke, the highest title.”
“Oh, so you will be called Duke Ethan?”
Ethan laughed. “No, love. We aren’t called by our first name.”
“Duke Cross?”
“Nope.” His eyes were shining. Obviously, he found it entertaining.
“So, what do they call you?”
“In my pack, they call me Alpha Ethan, Alpha, Alpha King. Sometimes, they call me by my royal title in the human world or the pack alliance.”
“What is it?”
“Duke Firebury.”
“Exotic name.”
He grinned and touched my chin. “It means you will be Duchess Firebury.”
“Oh?” I blushed, thinking about when people would acknowledge me as Ethan’s mate. But then, the memory of the young witch clouded my mind.
“What are you thinking? You smiled for a second, then frowned for another second.”
“I remember about the young witch.”
Ethan leaned me into his embrace. “Forget about her. I think about it repeatedly. Since Ruby has tested me twice, who knows if she also tested me the three times?”
“B-but don’t you think it’s mean to test with false information like that while she knew you already had a mate?”
Ethan shrugged. “It depends on one’s perspective. My crime is huge. Though I didn’t do it directly, I killed her sister.”
“No!” I cupped his face with both hands. “You didn’t kill Cathy. She could come to you, confessing about her pregnancy. She didn’t need to abort her baby either.”
“Maybe. But we all were youngsters at that time. She might be afraid and ashamed to come to me, especially after I told mean things to her.”
I hugged Ethan. “We all have made mistakes. Don’t punish yourself for a lifetime.”
“I wish I could turn back time to change the past.”
“Since we can’t do that, we should accept the past.”
Ethan pulled my shoulders and stared into my eyes. “If you want to set aside the witch thing and never think of leaving me again, I will learn to accept my past.”
“But what if it’s true? What if you need to fall in love with the witch to free you from the curse?”
Ethan moved closer and put his forehead on mine. “If we don’t mean to be together, let the time show it to us.” He kissed my forehead. “Now, after I think about it, we have the mate-bond. The Highest One is impossible to make a mistake to pair us if He wanted to separate us.”
“You have a valid point.” I took a deep breath. “I don’t want to leave you either. It hurt me a lot to do that.”
“Then don’t.” He kissed my lips. “I love you, Helena. So, please, don’t leave me again.”
“I love you too, Ethan.” I circled my hands on his neck and kissed his lips. “I did it because I wanted the best for you, even if your happiness isn’t with me.”
“Oh, Helena.”
Ethan pulled me to lay on the bed, and then he kissed my lips again while his hand touched my upper breast, massaging it until I moaned. Next, he reached to my back, unzipping my dress. Then Ethan pulled the dress down until I only wore my underwear. Next, he kissed my cleavage, top of my mound, unhooked my bra, and sucked the top of my orb, which was already eager to receive his attention. Later, I moaned hard because of his sensual movement.
I reached to his rigid shaft and touched it tenderly. He held his breath as I moved my hand fast, massaging it until he held my hand and shook his head.
“Let me please you first.”
I smiled, touching his sweaty forehead. “You are always so selfless and prioritize me. Thank you, my love.”
“All is for you. I love you.”
“I love you too.”
Then no words were required since we communicated with our body and touch. When I finally reached my peak, Ethan followed not long afterward. Then I closed my eyes as Ethan hugged me from behind.
“Are you sure you won’t regret your decision?” I asked him.
“Regret what?”
“If you stay with me for the rest of our lives, we can’t have sex. I mean, intercourse.”
Ethan kissed my neck and then my shoulder. “I don’t mind, darling. Being with you is more than enough. Besides, we can still give pleasure to each other. Well, though, it is only outercourse. I am satisfied with that.” Then he touched my waist. “Will you regret your decision to stay with me?”
I shook my head. “No, as long as you will love me forever.”
“Yes, love. We will be together forever, and I will love you forever.”