Surrogate for My Brother-in-law - Chapter 31: Chapter 31

I quickly realized that Ethan and I had different ideas of what constituted a “nice” restaurant. I expected a quiet little sit down place, a diner maybe. The place Ethan took us to was the kind of restaurant that I had only ever seen on the cover of Eva's magazines.
“Ethan,” I hissed, “we can't eat here!”
“Why not?” he asked.
“It's too expensive. I'm not dressed for a place like this. I'll embarrass you.”
Ethan waved his hand as if to brush off my objections.
“I told you, I have the money so it's fine,” Ethan said. “As for the rest,” he leaned towards me, “I will never be embarrassed by you. Now, I'd prefer it if you didn't swing off the chandeliers, but if the moon calls you to do so then I'll pay the damages and you have fun.”
“But...”
“Come on, I promise you the food is good and no one will say a thing about your clothes. You're fine.”
I took a deep breath to steady myself. “Okay. I'll try it.”
“Thank you,” Ethan said. He stepped out of the car, walked around, and opened my door for me. I stared at his extended hand for a second. No one had ever offered to help me out of a car before.
I took his hand and let him lead me into the restaurant. I plastered myself against his side, maybe a little too closely. I was just so nervous I'd brush up against something and break it.
“Alpha Ethan!” a wolf in an expensive suit met us at the door and shook Ethan's free hand. “And who is this lovely vision?”
“This is Dr. Angel, a healer working in my hospital,” Ethan said. “She's exhausted herself healing one of my wolves and I want to make sure she has a good, filling meal.”
“Oh, I am so honored you chose my restaurant!” the wolf bowed, once to Ethan and then once to me. “I'll show you to a nice, quiet table, so the lovely healer isn't stressed. Should I have the band stop playing?”
“N-no,” I said, “I like music.”
“Very good. I know sometimes after a healing, the senses can be painfully acute,” the restaurant owner said. “Only tell me if anything troubles you. The lights can be dimmed, cushions can be brought. Anything to see my customers enjoy their experience.”
“Thank you,” I whispered.
The table he led us to was in a quiet corner, and lit by a small, crystal chandelier and the candles on the table. It was elegant and cozy. The band was a string quartet who played peaceful music which drifted faintly to our table.
“This is wonderful, thank you,” Ethan said.
A waiter came and introduced himself as Micah. He brought two glasses of water with lemon and ginger, which I knew from the texts was supposed to be good to refresh a healer's energy. He also offered a plate of small pastries. Then he asked what we'd like to order.
Ethan ordered for both of us, which I was grateful for. I was pretty sure I wouldn't even recognize half the things on the menu.
When we were alone, Ethan asked, “Angel, can we talk about something serious?”
I nodded, a little nervous. Just how 'serious' was it?
“You know Leo's my friend, right?” Ethan asked.
I nodded again.
“I just want to know why you're hiding from him,” Ethan said. “I know you're part of his pack. But you were terrified when he showed up. You tried to hide behind me. You insist on meeting me at some empty house. What's going on? Ethan would never hurt one of his wolves. Why are you afraid of him?”
I chewed my lip as I tried to decide what to say. Ethan was worried, I could tell. Maybe he thought I would somehow hurt Leo. He had just recovered from a terrible battle, after all.
I hesitated for several moments. I was so afraid to tell anyone the truth. I couldn't tell him everything. He would hate me for helping Eva trick Leo.
But he'd helped me so much. He'd promised to find my mother, even though he didn't know that's who she was. He made sure I was okay after I healed his wolves. He covered for me with Leo, twice now, even though he didn't know why.
I couldn't give him the entire truth, but I could tell him some things. He could never know who I was or what I'd done, or he'd hate me.
I took a deep breath and began, “I wasn't hiding from Leo. It was Eva.”
“Eva? Leo's wife?” Ethan asked.
I nodded. I worried at the cloth napkin in my lap. “That woman I asked you to look for. She's my mother.”
“Oh. Why,” Ethan tilted his head. “Why don't you know where your own mother is being treated?”
“Eva has been using her as a hostage,” I said. “She makes me... do things. Help her. If I tell anyone, she said she'd have my mother killed. I haven't seen her in years, just a photo. That's why I...” I scrubbed at my eyes, “I have to find her.”
“Oh.” Ethan sat back. “That's... that's awful. I... does Leo have any idea?”
“No! You can't tell him, you can't. I don't have proof and... and if Eva even thinks I'll tell, my mother is dead. Please. Please don't say anything,” I begged.
“I won't,” Ethan promised. He looked really unhappy, but he promised.
“Thank you,” I whispered.
The appetizers appeared then. I thought I'd be too nervous and upset to eat, but one sniff and I had a plateful in front of me and one halfway to my mouth.
“Eat up,” Ethan commanded gently. “You used a lot of energy tonight, and I can tell you're half starved to begin with.”
I ducked my head and ate the morsel of cheese and pastry. I was too hungry to deny it.
“I know Leo doesn't let his wolves go hungry,” Ethan said. “What is going on with... you're not part of his pack, are you? You're part of Arthur's.”
I nodded. That seemed safe enough to admit.
“Okay. I know I promised I wouldn't say anything, but Leo's married his pack to yours. He needs to know if things are so bad that a healer is being starved.”
“They don't know,” I whispered. “I haven't told them I'm a healer.”
“Why not?” Ethan asked.
“The alpha wouldn't believe me. No one would. I'm half human. No one would believe a half-blood could learn to heal.”
“But you have a wolf, don't you? I felt her, today, when you helped Wilson.”
“She awakened late. No one knows,” I admitted. “I haven't shifted yet. She says I will, but I'm not sure I believe her.”
It felt strange to admit it out loud. Who doubts their own wolf? But I couldn't believe it was real until it happened.
Ethan drew me into a hug. “Oh. Tessa, you poor thing. You poor, poor thing. It's okay. I'm going to help you.”
I stiffened. He knew my name? How did he know?
“I figured it out,” Ethan whispered. “The mask doesn't hide your scent. It's okay. I won't tell anyone. Not until you're ready.” He leaned back a little. “But the offer to join my pack stands. If it gets to be too much, just say the word and you can come with us.”
It was shamefully tempting to accept. I wiggled and he released me from the hug. I couldn't leave my pack, not so long as Eva had my mother. And I couldn't take Leo's pup away from him.
But it was nice to know that someone believed me. That someone would give me a chance if I needed it. I smiled at Ethan, and took off my mask.