Free Ethan (Blackbeary Creek 1) by Ruby Shae Page A

on.”
    “I think you like me without clothes on,” he teased.
    She did, but she’d never admit it.
    “Whatever,” she said, turning to face him. “What are you doing here Ethan?”
    “You left before we had a chance to talk.”
    “We didn’t need to talk,” she sighed. “I’m not going back to Blackbeary Creek, and nothing you can say will change my mind.”
    “You’re my mate.”
    Shock, followed by a myriad of emotions, washed over her. As much as she wanted his words to be true, she knew she wasn’t his mate, and anger roared to the surface.
    “What are you talking about?” she snapped.
    “You’re my mate, Tee,” he said. “We didn't need to talk about you moving back to Blackbeary Creek, we needed to talk about the fact that you’re my mate.”
    “I'm your mate?” she seethed. “And you just suddenly decided this?”
    “No,” he explained. “I knew you were different the moment you were born, but I didn't understand why until you turned eighteen. I wanted to tell you, but when you didn't seem to feel the same about me, I decided to keep quiet. I knew you’d feel obligated to mate me, and I couldn’t force that on you, so I ignored my feelings and hoped they would go away. Unfortunately, we both know it doesn’t work that way.”
    “The other night, when you came home from that date with a bruised face and ripped purse, I…I went crazy. I couldn't handle it. I decided to tell you the next day, and damn the consequences. At least you would know, and maybe, somehow, you might consider me…”
    “This is low,” she said, tears filling her eyes. “Even for you. I've been your mate for six years, and you decide to say something now? When I finally move away from the clan? I can't believe you would do this. I know you don't like me, but I can't believe that you would pull this prank, and sacrifice your happiness for a lie.”
    “Tee,” he said, taking a step toward her, “it's not a—”
    “Get away from me,” she shrieked, backing away from him.
    When he didn't move, she screamed.
    “Get away from me! Get out of here, and leave me alone! I hate you, and I hate what you've done!”
    The look on his face made her want to take everything back, but she knew it was all part of his act. She wasn’t his mate—she couldn’t be—not after all this time.
    He opened his mouth as if to say more, then closed it, turned away from her, and walked out of the cabin. A tiny thread of guilt suggested she allow him to put on clothes first, but she ignored it. He was a big, bad, black bear shifter, and he could shift and run all the way home for all she cared.
    Tegan followed him to the door, locked it behind him, and then ran down the hall to the bedroom. She pulled the dust cover off the bed, and then collapsed on the bare mattress in tears.
    She knew Ethan would defend Tristian with his last breath, but she never imagined he would do something so terrible for his alpha. Even though they’d drifted apart over the years, she’d always believed he was honorable.
    She was an idiot.
    Tegan covered her face with her arms, allowing the sleeves of her sweater to soak up most of her tears, and sobbed uncontrollably. She didn't know what hurt worse: Ethan's betrayal, or the fact that she wanted his declaration of love to be true.
    A couple hours later, all the tears had dried, and Tegan laid silently on the bed, staring at the ceiling. She knew she should air out the cabin, and unpack the SUV, but she couldn’t bring herself to move.
    Until her cell phone rang.
    The normally happy ringtone broke the silence of the room, and added irritation to her already foul mood. She almost ignored the call, but if it was Tristian, she wanted to give him a piece of her mind.
    She raced to the other room, grabbed her phone, and smiled when she saw the name on the caller ID. She knew Graham would be on her side. 
    “Hey Graham,” she said.
    “Hey! So,” he said, drawing out the O. “Is there any news?”
    Graham's