Chapter 45

Ethan's POV
My feelings were not okay when I had to leave Cleo in a weak and injured state. But I also could not sacrifice my goal of finding a bright spot for the family problems that bound me. I still have to prioritize my family, my wife, and my sister. Even though Cleo had insisted on helping me get here. I pushed away my confused thoughts.
"Cleo, forgive me!" I whispered in my heart.
I continued my journey, only waiting for minutes to reach Elder Rowan. One, two, three... And several times I stepped. But I saw no signs of life here. Indeed, inside this cave is like a room with lots of daily items. But everything looked neat, and there were no footprints under the ground, and there was no sound of anyone indicating that someone inhabited this place. I began to echo my voice. Maybe someone answered. It could be that the occupant was sleeping or in another corner that I could not reach with my eyes.
“Hello... Lo... Lo... Lo... Lo..." My voice echoed. Because this cave is quite big, wide, and high.
Once again.
“Hello... Lo... Lo... Lo... Lo... Is there anyone here... ni... ni... ni... ni...?"
There are still no signs that can answer my question. But I try again. Maybe it is not clear to hear.
"Are there any residents... nya... nya... nya... nya...?
Still silent, no answer at all. I sat for a moment, looking down and exhaling. With the sweat pouring down, it had not yet subsided. Although my body temperature was not too hot now and was starting to decrease. I pondered in this place in a wretched state. Feeling stupid for leaving Cleo for something uncertain.
"Cleo forgive me!"
Once again I whispered and almost came out of my voice. Feeling guilty and even thinking about Cleo's fate now.
I sat half-standing with a weak feeling. This tiredness and lethargy had not been cured with good news. Feeling frustrated and lost. Not knowing whether a miracle would come to me or not? If not... Then... I will remain trapped in this dimension like those I have met. It's not just Isabella that I left behind.
It's not just my wife who is lost. But all my people, the wolf nation will wonder about my existence if I can't return to the time dimension where I was before. Besides, I can be sure that there will be chaos there. There will be a terrible throne struggle. Several wolves will fight for power as alpha. I can't prevent it because I'm here.
A moment after I took a breath again, I was suddenly surprised by someone coming here.
"Hey sir, who are you?"
I was immediately shocked by my half-sitting position. I immediately turned toward the source of the voice. Staring at him with a mind full of question marks. Swallowing saliva because I was worried that something bad would greet me. I immediately got up and stood up. Stepping back slowly forward.
"Hey, who are you?" He asked again.
I swallowed my saliva deeper and did it repeatedly.
Instead of answering, I stepped back to avoid him. He stepped forward to hear me. I felt increasingly pressured by this situation. It was difficult to avoid and was pushed back even more. Until my back hit the cave wall and I lost the opportunity to step back again.
"What's wrong with you? Are you afraid of me?" A weasel asked me.
I didn't answer anything but kept swallowing my saliva and showing a scared facial expression automatically.
"Don't be afraid! I won't hurt you." He said making me feel a little calm and igniting a little of my fear.
"Don't be afraid, sir! I only mean good things to you. Who are you and what are you here for? Do you have any business with my master Elder Rowan?"
Hearing this, I began to feel relieved and was only able to answer with a voice that was still stuttering of course.
Swallowing saliva deeply then speaking.
"Yes, I intend to meet Elder Rowan."
"Okay, sit down!"
I sat down according to his instructions.
"Are you having a problem?" He asked then.
I nodded.
"What's your problem?"
"I'm about time."
"Okay, you can meet Elder Rowan. But you can't meet him now."
I frowned.
"When can I meet him?"
"I don't know yet, I'll let you know later. Because right now Elder Rowan has a special guest who also has business with him. So you can meet Elder Rowan after he's finished with his business."
"Umm okay then, so what should I do now to be sure that I will meet him after he's finished with his business?"
"You can stay here. Stay with me for the next few days until it's your turn to meet Elder Rowan."
"Stay here?"
"Yes, stay here with me. Oh yeah, sorry I haven't had the chance to introduce myself. Because since the beginning of our meeting, you've been withdrawn and seemed afraid of me."
"Hehe sorry, I thought you were..."
"What? You mean evil?"
I scratched the back of my head.
"No, I'm not a criminal. I'm just Elder Rowan's slave or his assistant who sorts every guest who wants to meet him. Especially guests who don't have an appointment to schedule a meeting. Wait! Do you have an appointment to meet Elder Rowan?"
I was silent and confused about answering. I shook my head.
"Not yet."
"Um yeah no problem, stay here for now. You will definitely meet Elder Rowan later. I can make sure of that. So don't worry that I won't introduce you two."
"Okay, thank you for your welcome."
"Yes, you're welcome. Hopefully, Elder Rowan will have free time for you soon. Oh yeah, let me introduce myself, my name is Wais. What's your name?"
"I'm Ethan." I was confused about how else to introduce myself so I just said my name. Because I come from a different era. It's hard for me to explain how it feels. Maybe sometime in the future, I will start to be able to tell Wais about myself. Moreover, I just met him. So I make sure that he is honest and trustworthy first.
While living here for some time to come I will be able to study his character first. Before I let him enter the realm of my life deeper. It is enough for him to know my name. He does not need to know more than that about me. Later there will be a time when we really get to know each other more deeply. I must still limit myself for now.