Chapter 16 . Too endearing

 Ethan POV   It's been 3 days since the incident. The day my mate was found laying helpless in the woods, beaten to a bloody pulp and left to rot. 3 days since our argument among the trees. I still remember the sweet scent of her on the air as she stood yards away from me, her back stiff as a board, her posture firm in her pride. Spotting her around the pack grounds has been tough, every time my eyes touched her face I felt a ripple of energy pass through me, shaking my serene countenance and causing a burning to linger in my chest. I would dodge her any change I got. Every night I sneak away, if only for a few short hours, running through the wilderness as my other half. My lycan. The beast inside me longed to claim my mate, to love her and protect her. It's all I think about most days. The more logical, self aware side is still adamant that I keep a safe, honorable distance between us. To do an