Chapter 9 : Return to the Den Chapter 9 : Return to the Den ( Samantha's POV ) I squared my shoulders , drawing on my newfound resolve . " I'm not discussing this here . " His jaw tightened , but he nodded curtly . " Fine . The car's waiting . " I followed him through the terminal , maintaining a careful distance between us . The Moonbloom roses he'd brought remained clutched in his hand , their faint glow a reminder of happier times . " I've arranged for your things to be collected from SilverCrest , " he said over his shoulder . " You'll be coming home . " It wasn't a question . Typical Ethan . " For now , " I replied , my voice steady despite my racing heart . " We need to talk privately . " He stopped abruptly , turning to face me . " About ? " " Our separation ," I said simply . " But I'd prefer to discuss it somewhere private , given our positions . " Something flickered in his eyes - surprise , perhaps , or anger . But he quickly masked it . " Ms. Thompson has prepared herb soup , " he said instead of acknowledging my words . " You look tired . " I was tired - bone - deep exhausted . But beneath the fatigue burned a new determination , a spark I hadn't felt in years . As we walked to his waiting car , my mind drifted to the Ethan of our youth . The hungry , ambitious young Alpha who'd worn the same three shirts in rotation because we couldn't afford more . His frame had been leaner then , his shoulders not yet broadened by power and success . Now he moved with the confident stride of a man accustomed to command , his tailored suit emphasizing his powerful build . The material alone probably cost more than our entire first apartment . " You've changed your hair , " he remarked as we reached the car . I touched the simple wooden pin holding my hair back . " I left in a hurry ." His eyes traveled down to the purple dress visible beneath my open coat . His nostrils flared slightly - another man had seen me in this dress . The thought clearly disturbed him . The drive to Blackwood Manor passed in tense silence . I stared out the window , mentally preparing for what was to come . Eighteen years of history wouldn't be untangled in a single conversation . As we pulled through the gates of our estate , a familiar bark greeted us . October , our pet wolf cub , bounded across the manicured lawn toward the car . Her tail wagged frantically as she recognized me . " She missed you , " Ethan said , his voice softening for the first time since the airport . When I stepped out of the car , October raced toward me but stopped short a few feet away . Her nose twitched , and she tilted her head curiously . I instinctively placed a hand over my stomach , a protective gesture that had become automatic since discovering my pregnancy . Tomorrow I would visit Dr. Miller to terminate it . I couldn't bring a child into this mess . October approached cautiously , whimpering softly as she rubbed against my legs . Chapter 9 Return to the Den $ 15 Puntos ) " Welcome back , Luna Reed ! " Ms. Thompson called from the doorway , her familiar face creased with relief . " The house hasn't been the same without you . " I smiled at her , guilt twisting in my stomach . She had no idea I was planning to leave permanently . " You should have seen the Alpha , " she continued , ushering us inside . " Drinking heavily every night since you left . I told him you'd be back , though . " She patted my arm affectionately . " Don't leave again , dear . It's not good for either of you . " The irony of her words tasted bitter in my mouth . My return was merely a strategic move - the first step in a carefully orchestrated exit . I'd acted impulsively three days ago , fleeing without a plan . But eighteen years with Ethan - not just our marriage but our entire adult lives - couldn't be severed with a hasty departure . While Ethan had set Rebecca up with a comfortable life and two million dollars for carrying his child , I'd left with nothing but the clothes on my back and a few personal items . The contrast fueled my resolve . I refused to walk away empty - handed . Our accumulated wealth and assets would take time to disentangle . The process would be painful , but necessary . " I'll run a bath for you , " Ms. Thompson offered , already heading for the stairs . " Thank you , " I said , avoiding Ethan's intense gaze . " That would be lovely . " ( Ethan's POV ) The sound of running water from the master bathroom soothed my frayed nerves . Samantha was home . Whatever had happened in the Eastern Territories , whatever man had left his scent on her , she had returned to Blackwood Manor . I stepped onto the balcony and lit a cigarette , drawing the smoke deep into my lungs . With my free hand , I dialed James . " She's back , " I said when he answered . " I know , Alpha . I saw your car pass the gates . " " I need information , " I continued , watching the smoke curl into the night air . " Everything about her trip to the Eastern Territories . Who she met , where she went , what she spent . " " Already working on it , " James replied efficiently . " Anything specific you're looking for ? " " A man ," I said , the words tasting like ash in my mouth . " She carries another man's scent ." James's silence spoke volumes . " I'll be thorough . " " And arrange a fireworks display , " I added . " Something impressive . Tonight . " " Consider it done . " I ended the call and took another drag of my cigarette . The familiar landscape of our territory spread before me , a kingdom I'd built from nothing . Yet it felt hollow without Samantha by my side . My phone buzzed with an incoming message from James . The report was preliminary but revealing . Only the hotel booking and flight tickets appeared on her cards . No other expenses . Someone had concealed her movements . Even her hotel stay showed minimal charges . Samantha didn't have such connections - not anymore . Not since she'd stepped back from her healing work . It had to be another man . The sandalwood scent lingering on her skin was distinctly masculine , expensive , and unfamiliar . The thought of my wife with another man , even in a professional capacity , filled me with a possessive rage I could barely < Chapter 9 Return to the Den $ 15 Punsos contain . Who was he ? What did he want with her ? I crushed out my cigarette and turned back toward our bedroom . The water had stopped running . She would be emerging from the bath soon . (Samantha's POV ) The warm water had eased the tension from my muscles , if not from my mind . I wrapped myself in a plush robe and stepped into the dressing room , the Luna's Moonstone Pendant still hanging around my neck despite everything . Ethan stood by the window , his powerful frame silhouetted against the night sky . Unlike other men who constantly sought novelty with different women , Ethan's obsession had always been singular . Me . He wanted to possess me completely . " Sam … " he whispered , crossing the room to embrace me from behind . It was a familiar gesture , one that had often led to passionate nights . His hands slid around my waist , his breath warm against my neck . G When his palm pressed against my stomach , I flinched and pushed him away . " What are you doing ? " I asked , taking a step back . His expression darkened at my rejection . He advanced slowly , trapping me between his body and the wardrobe . " Sam , tell me , " his voice carried a dangerous edge , " which man did you meet in the Eastern Territories ? Hmm ? " I hadn't told him about Hector , partly to protect the Southern Alpha's privacy , partly because it wasn't Ethan's business anymore . " It's none of your business , " I replied , my voice steady despite our proximity . His finger traced my lower lip , his face half - shadowed , his possessiveness almost tangible in the air between us . " Sam , don't be so cruel to me ." The audacity of his statement sparked my anger . " Ethan , you didn't tell me when you let Rebecca bear your child . What right do you have to control my movements ? Do you really care which man I'm with ? " His eyes flashed with something primal . He cared - intensely so . His thumb trailed from my lips to my cheek , his touch both familiar and unsettling . I could see the insecurity beneath his commanding exterior . It was a remnant of our past - the poor boy who'd fought his way to the top , always afraid of sliding back down . He resisted change , especially any change in me . ( Ethan's POV ) " Sam …" I murmured , unable to resist her any longer . I nuzzled her neck , breathing in her scent beneath the lingering traces of sandalwood . My tongue traced the delicate curve where her neck met her shoulder , tasting her skin . My calloused fingers moved up her thigh , feeling her tremble beneath my touch . The silk of her robe was a flimsy barrier between us , her warmth radiating through the thin material . She had always been my opposite - vibrant and adaptable where I was steady and immovable . She could bloom in even the harshest conditions , while I remained rooted in my position . Despite my elevated status , my deepest fear remained losing her . The thought of another man touching her , appreciating her beauty , her intelligence , her healing gifts - it was unbearable . 3/4 < Chapter 9 Return to the Den +15 Puntos " Sam … " I whispered hoarsely against her ear , " No one in this world will love you more than I do . Don't try to escape me . You can't escape . "