Chapter 59 Ethan Proposes

*Ethan*

I woke up from the light streaming in through the windows on my face. We were up until the early hours of the morning, trying to get the people home as easy and as fast as we could.

Alpha Connor called in his buddies in the military to help us out. One of his buddies who owned an air charter service called up his brother, who managed a busline, and asked if he could lend us some of their buses to help transport most of the people to the airport where his planes would be on standby. Many of the people were tourists who had gone to New York for vacation.

We found a storage room in the warehouse that housed all of the belongings of all the prisoners as well as the belongings of past captives who unfortunately were not around anymore. All of their clothes and money even jewelry were in the storage room. The only things missing were their smartphones and bank cards, two things that can tracked or traced.

We had my men transport the prisoners from the mansion to the warehouse so they could also gather their belongings as well as shower. The warehouse was equipped with his and her bathrooms which included several cubicles of showers. We had the people shower and change their clothes. The clothes they had on while captive, we burned.

Whatever money Diana had left, she gave it to the people. Her father also contributed as well. He obviously had cash stashed in one of his suitcases. I'm guessing the one that had a combination lock which he didn't allow anyone to touch.

Now, the tricky part was allowing them to leave without any of them going to the authorities. Diana said she had to talk to the mage to hypnotize them. Diana and I went to his room where he was chained to the bed. She took a chair and sat down infront of him.

"Hmmmm, I smell the sweet, sweet scent of a half breed. What do I owe the pleasure?" I had to hand it to Andrew. He was always proper. No worries, Diana also had someone who was as proper. She gestured for me to take off his blindfold.

"Mage, I know you seek redemption for your acts. I can provide it, however you must do what I say." Andrew's eyes widened with astonishment. Onyx has that way with wolves. Me included.

"What are you?!" He screamed.

"I am the black wolf of legend. You know of which I speak of." Diana's voice reminded me of a voice in one of those Exorcist movies where a character said, "I am Legion." If it didn't scare you, you are one tough wolf.

"No, it can not be. The black wolf of legend reborn and living in a half breed?" His voice laced with disdain.

"I am astounded you would show such disgust to a half breed. A half breed is worth its weight in gold for someone like you. Or does your disdain come from the fact your dead lover loved his half breed captive more than you?" Diana's lips curled in a sneer. I knew Onyx was doing the talking, but seeing the reactions on Diana's face made me tremble.

"You don't know anything," Andrew scoffed back.

"I...KNOW...EVERYTHING, Mage!" Diana growled with such force, the bed shook. Andrew cowered back in fear. Finally, Andrew realized he wasn't talking to some psychotic young woman. She had power. And to think she hasn't even tapped into it completely.

"I apologize, my queen. What do you require of me?" Andrew asked, his voice a bit huskier than before. My queen? I glanced at Andrew's eyes and saw they were dark. His wolf had come out to address Onyx. Oh wow!

"Have your human form hypnotize the people he has held captive. Have him command the people to refrain from speaking to the authorities. Also, erase their memories. Make sure after they awake from slumber, they will not remember any of the events that had led to their captivity." Diana stood up from her chair and peered into the dark eyes of Andrew's wolf. "This is a problem of your doing. Fix it and I will provide the redemption you seek." I raised an eyebrow? Redemption? Onyx is going to give this bastard a second chance to redeem himself? To atone for his sins after all the people he's killed?

"Very well, my queen. I will require them to see me in small groups. I need for them to peer into my eyes," Andrew's wolf quickly said.

"If you do not do as I ask, I will throw you to the wolves. They will not take your sins lightly. They will torture you until you beg for your own death. You will suffer the consequences of your actions until your last dying breath." Diana sat back down. " Now, Alpha Ethan will transport you to the warehouse. You go against my wishes and I will allow the torture to begin. Mark my words, wolf!" Diana shook her head. The glow around her eyes was gone.

I placed the blindfold back on and unchained the mage from the bed. Diana drove while I kept Andrew beside me in the back. Before the people climbed into the buses, Andrew would hypnotize them. It was a lengthy process, but we got it all done.

I hurry to the bathroom. While Diana was busy seeing to it the mage did what he was told, the men and I planned a surprise birthday for Diana. We committed to waking up early so we could prepare. I took a shower and got dressed quickly. I wore a nice dark blue sweater, a pair of dark blue jeans, and clean boots. I wanted to look good for Diana.

Tonight when the Blood Moon rises, Diana will undergo her first shift. Instead of being the debutante at her debut, she and the black wolf will become one and the same.

Before my men left Montana, I had Colt get something from my mother. I open the closet and put my gift for her in my pocket. I hope Diana likes it. I want to surprise her on her birthday.

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*Diana*

The light from the windows was blinding my eyes. I raise my arm to cover my eyes.

"Diana, wake up. Today is the day. Tonight when the Blood Moon rises, you and I will become one," Onyx whispered to me.

"Okay, Onyx. I'm up." I stretch my hands above my head. "Gosh, I'm so tired." I yawn.

"You can sleep after the ceremony," Onyx said.

"What ceremony?" I get out of bed and walk to the en suite so I could take a shower and brush my teeth.

"Your mating ceremony, of course. Tomorrow, we drive to New York in preparation for the Christmas Ball. Go, fix yourself up. The others are already waiting for you downstairs."

I jump into the shower, letting the warm water soothe my aching body. After transporting all the people home, Elder Allen came out of her room looking for Jonathan. My father had to explain to her the circumstances of his death. Of course, she demanded she be given another butler as his replacement. That was an easy fix.

"Elder, Andrew will serve as Jonathan's replacement," I told her. Ethan, my Dad, Uncle Mike and Alpha Connor voiced out their concerns all at the same time. I had to raise my hand so I could get them all to quiet down.

"He doesn't have any power anymore. Onyx took care of that. If you guys are scared he will run when we're asleep, you can chain him to his bed at night. Anyway, Onyx told his wolf she will make his heart stop if he tries to run." I point to Elder Allen. "The Elder needs to get around and I don't think anyone of you want to play servant." I looked at the four of them and I still saw the doubt on their faces. "Well, if you have a better idea, I'm all ears." I saw them pause and think about it. I saw Ethan and Alpha Connor look at their men who shook their heads not wanting to be at the Elder's every beck and call.

"Fine, Andrew will remain as the Elder's butler." My dad finally said. "Ethan, take off his cuffs and his blindfold so he can tend to the Elder. Later, you can chain him back to his bed," my dad said. After Ethan took off the silver cuffs, Andrew rushed towards me, dropped to his knees infront of me and kissed my hands.

"Diana, my queen, thank you. I will not run. I will serve you until my dying breath." Andrew looked up at me with eyes filled with tears.

"You know what happens if you try to run." I gazed down at him. "Onyx still needs you. This is why you are still alive. Your duty is to help the Elder for now. Now, stand up." I yanked him up on his feet. He walks to Elder Allen who raises her hand to stop him from guiding her back to her room.

"There is another voice I hear and a scent I distinctly know." Elder Allen inhales deeply and her lips turn into a frown. "Connor!"

"Minerva Allen. We meet again." Alpha Connor chuckled. "If you want to know, the trees are still standing in Salty Moon forest. I told you, you will never cut any of those trees." Alpha Connor waves his hand in front of Elder Allen. "The last time I saw you, you weren't blind. I see karma has found you at last."

"The nerve of you forest folk. I should have..." Elder Allen stopped in midsentence.

"You should have what? Sent the rogues on me? Eric Lockwood did that already. I was expecting someone like you to have a little bit more...originality." Alpha Connor smirked at the Elder. "Anyway, I'm beat. Where can I sleep for the night?" Alpha Connor asked.

"You can sleep in the dog house," Elder Allen said.

"Oooohhhh. I'd feel hurt if you weren't so blind," Alpha Connor laughed. My Uncle Mike and my dad turned their faces away to stop themselves from laughing. I looked at Andrew and nudged my head for him to take Elder Allen away.

"My apologies, Alpha Connor. I will bring the Elder to her room now." Andrew took her arm and guided her back into her room.

"Bad blood between the both of you?" My dad asked.

"She wanted to cut down the trees along Salty Moon forest to put up a golf course. She tried paying me off. I rejected her offer." Alpha Connor shrugged "So, where do I get to sleep?"

We were able to accommodate Alpha Connor and his men. I'm guessing they were all downstairs having breakfast this very moment.

I got dressed in a baggy sweater and some jeans and ran down the stairs to find them. They were all seated at the long dining table wolfing down some eggs, bacon and toast.

"Birthday girl, finally you are awake. Here, have some brunch," my dad pulled up a chair.

"Brunch?" It was already that late?

"Yes, pumpkin. It's almost lunch. Everyone has been awake and we helped Andrew and the kitchen staff prepare brunch."

I sat down and Andrew suddenly appeared with a warm plate for me. He served me my coffee and placed some orange juice to my side.

"Now that's service," Uncle Mike said.

"Only for my queen and the Elder of course. If you want anything else, Diana, do tell me. I will get it for you." Uncle Mike raised his eyebrows at him.

"You don't say. Do you have a pack of M and M's?" I ask. He was about to open his mouth when I poked him in the ribs. "Just kidding. I'm good. Thank you, Andrew." He nodded his head and went back into the kitchen. I followed him with my eyes. Andrew needed to get a sense of humor.

I was done with brunch and was listening to my dad discuss our homecoming to the Lotus Pack when Andrew came out with a birthday cake. Everyone started singing "Happy Birthday" and whipping out their gifts from their hiding spots. I was speechless.

I blew out my candles, surprised they were able to do this for me after all we've gone through. I was so touched. I was waiting for Andrew to give me a slice of cake when Ethan tapped me on my shoulder.

"Diana, can you join me on the view deck? I have something I want to ask you." I nodded my head and put my hand in his and we walked together on the view deck with the others following with their phones out recording us. I gave them a puzzled look. Especially at Uncle Mike who had this big grin on his face.

It was a gloomy day. The light gray clouds hung above our heads, the wind was blowing around us. Ethan and I were facing each other, my hands in his, his eyes gazing into mine, in the middle of the view deck.

"You are the most beautiful she-wolf I have ever laid eyes on," he whispered. I smiled weakly at him while blushing to the roots of my hair. He smiled back and raised one hand to caress my cheek. "I feel I am the luckiest wolf in the world to have found you Diana. Please make me the happiest." He pulls a small black box from his pocket and bends down on one knee. I froze. Was he about to propose?! HE'S ABOUT TO PROPOSE! Play it cool Diana, I thought to myself, but my heart was beating rapidly in my chest.

"Diana, I know we have only known each other for a short while, but it feels I have known you all my life. You deserve everything in this world and I want to be the wolf who gives you everything. If it takes a life time to give you all that you want, I will spend a life time doing just that. I pledge to give you my love, my whole being and my life even the life after this. I will be forever yours, Diana and I wish you to be forever mine." He opens the box and inside was a ring. In the center of the ring laid a green emerald with small white diamonds around it. Even under the gloomy sky, the ring sparkled. It was absolutely beautiful.

"It will make me the happiest wolf in the world if you will say yes and marry me. Diana Lockwood, will you marry me?" Ethan waited for me to answer. My whole body was trembling, but not from the cold, but from excitement and nervousness.

"Oh my gosh, Ethan, YES!" He slid the ring on my finger. Surprisingly it was a perfect fit. Everyone gathered around us, clapping. Ethan stood up and gave me a lingering kiss on the lips.

"Happy Birthday, my little she-wolf!" He whispered in my ear. "I was suppose to give you a phone, but your Aunt Athena needed one." He nodded to my aunt who was behind me waiting to congratulate us. She hugged me and tucked my hair behind my ear.

"Diana, I received an email from the High Lord Wolf's assistant. He says everything is in order. A limousine will be picking us up. If you need anything else, you need just tell him. Directly. He gave us his number," Aunt Athena said.

I looked at everyone. We were mostly simple people except for Ethan who probably had a tuxedo tucked away somewhere and Aunt Athena and Elder Allen who probably had a closet full of gowns. I tugged on my dad's arm.

"Dad, can you call the High Lord Wolf for me? Ask him if he can have gowns and tuxedos ready for all of us? Or maybe suggest a place where we can get them?" I blink my eyes rapidly. I began to feel a slight throbbing on the side of my head.

"Sure, pumpkin." My dad takes out his phone from his pocket, not noticing I wasn't feeling well.

I look up at the sky. The clouds were blocking my view. I could feel it. The countdown has begun.