CHAPTER 16
**ZION**
Seeing her with Ethan Wolfe shouldn’t have bothered me, not really.
I despised him. I despised her. So why did it matter if they were getting cosy? They could do whatever the fu*k they wanted.
So why did it feel like someone was repeatedly stabbing me in the heart with a fucking fork? The pain was impossible to ignore, and that only pissed me off more. Knowing she’s here, at this party, at my friend’s house, irritates me beyond belief. I want to tell her to leave, to turn around and go back to wherever she came from. Leave this party, my home, my city! But there she is, talking and smiling at my archrival, Ethan!
Unable to stop myself, I’m out of my chair in a heartbeat, ignoring whatever bullshit Clarke is saying.
"ETHAN!"
My hands clenched into fists, nails digging into my palms as I locked eyes with Ethan. Tall, with that unruly mop of dark hair and piercing eyes, he stood there with an air of casual arrogance that made my blood boil.
“Zion,” Ethan drawled, his voice dripping with mockery.
“Back off, Ethan,” I growled, my tone cutting through the air.
"She’s off-limits, so back off and find someone else to bother."
I could feel Winter’s gaze fixed on me, but I kept my eyes locked on Ethan, unwilling to break the stare.
Ethan raised an eyebrow, his smirk widening with satisfaction. “Excuse me?
Who do you think you are, dictating what I can and can't do?"
I stepped closer, my voice low and threatening. “You know exactly who I am and what happens to people who cross me. So I’m telling you once, and only once: back off. That’s all you need to know.”
Ethan’s smirk grew wider, clearly relishing the tension. “Oh? And why’s that? You act like she’s someone very important. Do you have a thing for her, or are you just trying to protect your turf?”
My fists tightened, my anger simmering just beneath the surface. “That’s none of your fuc*ing business.”
Ethan’s eyes flickered with amusement, savouring every moment. “Interesting. You’re losing it over this girl. She must be something special. Maybe I should be more interested in her just to see what’s so special about her.”
He smirked at me, a smug expression that screamed he thought he'd already won.
Then, with deliberate slowness, he pulled her close, wrapping his arms around her waist.
“Hey,” Winter said sharply, glaring at Ethan and the hand he had resting on her waist.
My jaw tightened, muscles coiling as if ready to spring. A surge of fury blazed through me, hotter and more ferocious than anything I'd felt on the ice rink. It clawed at my insides, demanding to be unleashed. I envisioned tearing him away from her, making him feel a pain he'd never forget. Images flickered through my mind—Ethan sprawled on the ground, gasping for air; Ethan doubled over in agony as I stood over him, each punch a clear message that she was off-limits.
Winter shifted uncomfortably, her gaze darting between us, a look of confusion and apprehension on her face. I could feel the heat of my frustration building, my control fraying.
“Just stay away from her, Ethan,” I warned, my voice low and dangerous.
“This is your only warning. Push it any further, and you’ll regret it.”
Ethan chuckled, his gaze lingering on me with a gleam of challenge.
“We’ll see about that, Zion. Don’t be surprised if I find more reasons to stick around. After all, I’m always up for a challenge.”
I could barely contain the rage surging through me, but I forced myself to hold my ground. “Don’t test me, Ethan.”
"Why are you acting like this? You're the one who left her all alone, Zion. Not very gentlemanly of you, by the way. Lucky for her, I’m here to make sure she feels welcome," he taunted, his smirk widening. "
Ethan’s eyes sparkled with amusement, clearly relishing my reaction. He knew exactly what he was doing, and he enjoyed every second of it.
“Listen here, you goddamn—” I began, my frustration spilling over.
“Stop it!” Winter interrupted her voice sharp and filled with frustration as she shot me a fierce glare. Her eyes burned with a mix of anger and disbelief, clearly fed up with the escalating tension.
**WINTER**
Zion was being utterly ridiculous.
How dare he.
I shot a seething glare in his direction, my anger barely contained.
“Zion, I’m perfectly capable of taking care of myself,” I snapped, my voice tinged with frustration. “You made it clear you weren’t going to babysit me, so why are you trying to do just that now?"
He was the one who left me alone at a party where I didn’t know a single person, and now you’re acting like a caveman, trying to control who I talk to.
I felt Ethan’s hand tighten around my waist, making me shift slightly, but my eyes remained locked on Zion’s, unwilling to look away.
"I’ll talk to whoever I want, whenever I want. You don’t need to concern yourself with it!"
I watched as Zion’s gaze darted between me and Ethan, his expression darkening further with every second.
His frustration was palpable, but before I could react, he muttered something under his breath,
“Whatever,” and stormed off, leaving a wake of tension in his path.
I stood there, feeling a mix of relief and unease as Zion’s figure disappeared into the crowd. Ethan’s hand lingered on my waist for a moment before he let go, sensing the shift in the atmosphere.
Ethan looked at me with raised eyebrows, curiosity evident in his eyes. “So, how do you know Zion?” he asked, clearly intrigued.
I didn’t answer him. Instead, I gave a small, tight-lipped smile and said, “I think I need a drink.” I turned and walked away from him, heading towards the bar, my thoughts a whirlwind of confusion and irritation.
Log in with Google Account
Chapters
Favorite
Settings
