Chapter 67

Isabella’s POV
“Okay, Ethan. I’ll wait here,” I said softly, as if to strengthen my heart and give him support.
He reached out, kissing my forehead gently. “I’ll be back soon, honey. Trust me.” And with one last look at me, Ethan turned and walked out, leaving me in the tense atmosphere of the house.
After he left, I felt lonely and anxious, but I knew I had to be strong. I took a deep breath, trying to calm myself. Maybe this was a time to pray and hope that everything would be okay. In this uncertainty, my hope was to see Ethan return safely.
All night I couldn't sleep well, thoughts of Ethan kept haunting me. The atmosphere outside felt quiet, and there was no disturbing sound, making the tension inside me even more real. I glanced at the clock on my cellphone and saw that it was already three in the morning, but Ethan still hadn't come home. "When are you coming home?" I said softly to myself, worried about my husband's safety.
When it was almost dawn, I woke up and opened my eyes with anxiety. However, not long after, I heard a sound from the kitchen. Inhaling the delicious aroma made me curious. I immediately got up and went to the kitchen, hoping that it would be real that Ethan had returned.
"When did you come home?" I asked when I saw him standing in front of the stove, looking busy preparing something. I felt relieved when I saw his face that looked fresh even though there was a little sign of fatigue.
Ethan turned to me and smiled. "I just arrived. Sorry to worry you. I know it's late, but I can't sleep without cooking something. You should try it," he replied, speaking in a soothing tone.
"Are you okay?" I asked again, feeling confused about my feelings. On one hand I was grateful to see him home, but on the other hand I was still worried about what might happen while he was out.
“I’m fine, don’t worry,” he said as he picked up the pot of freshly cooked food. “I was just gathering some information and making sure everything was safe. Now, it’s time for breakfast.”
My smile widened at the thoughtfulness he showed, and for a moment, all my worries seemed to melt away. “The smell of your cooking is so tempting!” I said, trying to convince myself not to bother or worry too much about the situation.
After we sat down at the small dining table, I began to enjoy the food Ethan had made. This simple pleasure brought a sense of comfort and warmth to my heart. As we ate breakfast, we shared stories about everything that happened last night and the journey he had faced.
I looked at him with gratitude, realizing how precious this small moment was. In every bite, I tasted Ethan’s love and effort, and knew that even though we would face challenges ahead, we would always be able to rely on each other and share happiness, both in hard times and good times.
Even though Ethan tried to calm me down and make me feel comfortable, there was still a lingering doubt in my mind. I knew very well that he was just trying to avoid my worries, but I understood the world we were in—a world of werewolves ready to fight to expand their power. While Ethan was just trying to protect his territory, I felt the tension of a conflict in the near future.
“What are your plans for the future?” I asked, pushing him to share more, wanting to know what was on his mind.
“Plans? I don’t think that’s important. What’s important is that you stay healthy and by my side, Isabella,” Ethan replied, his eyes full of concern. However, instead of feeling reassured, his statement made me even more anxious.
“I can’t breathe easily when I think about what’s going to happen in the future,” I said with a slightly shaky tone. Thoughts of possible battles crossed my mind, and the threat of it all made me feel pressured.
Ethan came over and took my hand, warming me with his touch. “Isabella, I promise I’ll do my best to protect us. Both physically and emotionally. We’ll get through this together,” he said, trying to reassure me.
“I know, but I still worry about your safety,” I said, looking at him with sincerity. “If there’s a battle, I don’t want you to get hurt. I can’t imagine life without you.”
Ethan shook his head, firmly dismissing my pessimism. “Don’t think like that. We can’t let fear get the better of us. Let’s focus on what we can do to protect ourselves,” he said, his voice soft but determined.
But the deeper this discussion went, the more uneasy I felt the approaching uncertainty. Anxiety took over my mind; despite my efforts to be optimistic, images of battle and conflict continued to haunt my imagination.
Maybe there was nothing I could do but trust Ethan and his ability to protect us. But it would take time for me to come to terms with this fear. We were forging a future amidst looming darkness, and perhaps it was time to make better decisions to keep this relationship strong.
“What can we do now to prepare?” I asked finally, hoping to find a solution and move in a more positive direction.
Ethan smiled, enthusiastic. “We’ll gather information, talk to influential forces, and make sure we take the right steps to protect ourselves and our territory. Together, we are strong.”
Hearing the determination in his voice, I felt a little more at ease. Together with Ethan, we could get through anything, even if the steps we had to take weren’t easy. There would be challenges ahead, and little by little, I was determined to become strong, for him and for myself.
The next day, as I sat with Ethan, talking and laughing, the warm atmosphere we were enjoying was suddenly interrupted by the arrival of a member of Ethan’s squad. “Alpha, enemy forces are coming,” the squad member said in a serious tone.