Chapter 5

By mid-August, Ethan had wrapped up his duties at the Moonshadow Pack. He was in a great mood.

He pulled out his phone to text Mia.

*Click.*

A red exclamation mark popped up.

*Message failed to send. You are blocked by this user.*

Ethan stared at the screen for two seconds, then let out a scoff.

He tried Snapchat. Blocked.

He tried calling. It went straight to voicemail.

Still, he didn't panic. He actually found it kind of amusing.

This was the first time Mia had taken a fight so far as to block him everywhere. She must be really furious this time.

But it didn't matter. No matter how much she threw a fit, she would always come back.

Ethan joked with his Beta, Marcus, "Mia blocked me. Haha, she's really going all out this time."

The pack warriors around them started laughing.

"Alpha Ethan, you’re legendary. You haven't checked on her in a month, and you aren't even sweating?"

"With Mia's personality, the moment you show up, she’ll probably burst into tears and throw herself into your arms."

Hearing their praise, Ethan’s chest swelled.

He admitted he had been a little too close to Summer lately, and he felt a tiny twinge of guilt.

But that was different. Summer was just a distraction.

Mia was his true Luna.

He made a mental note to make it up to her once he got her back.

Ethan drove downtown and walked into a florist.

"Give me the most expensive bouquet of red roses you have," he said, tapping his card on the counter.

It cost twice as much as the gifts he usually bought for Summer.

Then, he went to a jewelry store and picked out a diamond necklace.

At the register, the clerk smiled. "Sir, we offer free engraving on this piece. Would you like to add anything?"

Ethan thought back to the promise he had made her years ago.

"Engrave 'Wait for me.'"

He smiled, thinking the gesture was flawless.

He went home, changed into a fresh shirt, styled his hair, and checked his phone.

He sent a quick text to Summer: *“I’m busy today. Don’t text me.”*

Summer sent back a sad face emoji.

Ethan ignored it and locked his phone.

He drove toward the Stoneclaw Pack territory, the roses sitting on the passenger seat, the cake and necklace box in the back.

He could already picture the look on Mia’s face when she opened the door.

She’d probably start with a cold face, pretending to be angry.

Then, she’d see the engraving on the necklace. Her eyes would well up with tears.

Finally, she’d take the flowers and mutter, "At least you know you were wrong."

She always did that.

Five years. He knew her inside out. She could never escape him.

Just two blocks away from the Stoneclaw villa, his phone buzzed violently in his pocket.

He pulled over and looked at the screen. It was Marcus.

Ethan answered, his voice light. "Marcus, what's up?"

Marcus’s voice sounded hesitant. "Alpha... I was just reviewing the transfer list for Moonshadow. I’ve gone through it three times... Mia’s name isn't on here."

"Are you sure she’s coming?"

The smile froze on Ethan's face.

"What? That's impossible. We agreed on this."

"Well, I don't know what to tell you," Marcus sighed. "Her name isn't on the list. Maybe you should ask her yourself?"