I stood in place, rooted to the spot. He didn't just say what I think he did. He wanted me to stay? This wasn't just some fling? A part of me wanted to call bullshit on what he was saying. He couldn't possibly know what he was saying. He couldn't possibly mean it.
But, then he said it again. "I want you to stay, with me." Ethan was staring up at me expectantly. He was now only a couple feet from me. I could reach out and touch him, but I resisted the urge.
"You can't mean that," I replied. "We've only known each other for a day and a half. I could be a serial killer for all you know that you are now trapped to live with forever."
He chuckled despite his nervousness. "I have no doubt you have a form in your arsenal of such a person, but I don't believe that's who you really are." He seemed to relax a little, as though I was going to throw out all these excuses all morning.
But, he had a point. Max, the werewolf, was the serial killer I could shift into. It wasn't me. I was just conceited and selfish, always thinking of myself and my safety before others. It's how I have had to survive. I'd have died long ago otherwise. IT was a habit I didn't know if I'd be able to break. I wanted to.
For Ethan, I wanted to be a better person. I wanted to be the person he would be proud of. I wanted to be the person who made him smile, laugh, love. I wanted to be there. With him. I really did. It was those thoughts that made me decide to stay. TO stay here at the manor. To stay with Ethan.
"I don't want to hurt you," I whispered. A part of me hoping he wouldn't hear me say it. I used people. It was in my nature. I'd end up using him, too.
