Page 81 of Two Years Gone

Ella stormed out of the bathroom as I sat down on the bed.

“What the hell, Zane?”

“Where were you?!”

“I was just out on the pack grounds. What is going on?” she yelled.

“What’s going on?” I stood, my voice booming.

“What’s going on is you don’t seem to care about your safety! Mariah is still out there and you’re wandering out by yourself in the early morning!”

Ella smirked.

“Who said I’m alone?”

SHE WAS WITH ANOTHER WOLF? KILL HIM!my wolf yelled in my head.

Fury flashed through my eyes, and I lunged toward her.

“Are you saying you were with someone else?”

I stood close to her, my jealousy burning as I looked into her bright hazel eyes that for now, only held defiance.

“As a matter of fact, I was. Do you really think I’d just go walking around by myself? Chill, Zane!” Ella scowled at me.

“Who the hell was he? I’ll rip his damn head off!” I boomed.

“I was with your dad, you idiot!” Ella glared up at me.

I turned and attempted to storm out of the room. I needed to clear my head.

I was beyond angry at her, and I knew I’d say something I regretted if I kept going. But I was stopped when Ella grabbed my arm.

“Zane, would you just sit down?” Ella asked softly.

“I have work to do.”

“You have five minutes. Sit down,” Ella said again, almost begging.

I exhaled and sat on the bed.

Ella stood between my legs and cupped my face in her hands.

“Zane, I was with your dad. I’ve been with your dad every morning for the last few days.”

I continued to glare, my anger still burning.

“He’s been training me.” Ella straightened herself.

“He’s been what?” I finally spoke; the shock in my voice was loud.

“He’s been training me. How to fight, how to protect myself.”

“You don’t need to do that. I can protect you,” I said quietly.

Ella smiled and ran her thumb along my cheek.

“Zane, I know you can protect me, but I also know that you can’t always be there. I don’t want what happened in the forest to ever happen again.”