The Wolfless Contract Luna (Grace and Ethan) novel Chapter 15

**Glass Gardens Falling by George Orwell**
**Chapter 15: The Mate Whisper**

**Grace’s POV**

“Mate.”

The word resonates in my mind, strange and utterly unfathomable.

I freeze, my hand still entangled in Ethan’s thick fur. Who spoke? It wasn’t my voice, nor was it Ethan’s. But the truth hangs heavy in the air—Damien’s bite still marks my neck, a reminder of a bond forged five years ago, one that feels unbreakable.

How could anyone else possibly be my mate?

Before I can fully grasp the implications of that thought, Ethan shifts.

In an instant, the fur melts away, transforming before my eyes. The colossal wolf shrinks, bones cracking and reforming, until a man kneels before me, vulnerable and very much exposed.

My hand remains on his face, a connection that feels both intimate and shocking.

“Grace.” His voice is rough, laced with concern, as if the weight of the world rests on his shoulders. “You’re hurt.”

Heat rushes to my cheeks, a furious blush igniting my skin. I jerk my gaze downward—definitely a mistake—and find myself confronted with a sight I should not be focusing on right now. A broad chest, defined abs, and—

I snap my head away, my face ablaze.

“I’m fine,” I manage to mutter, though my voice is shaky.

Ethan hesitates, then I hear the sound of fabric rustling. When I dare to look again, he has turned away, rummaging through the debris of the SUV. He retrieves a blanket and wraps it around his waist, a makeshift shield against the chaos surrounding us.

“Better?” he asks, his tone steady, as if he’s not the one who just transformed from a wolf into a man.

I nod, unable to trust my voice.

He doesn’t comment on my reaction, doesn’t smirk or tease me. Instead, he secures the blanket and moves to check on the other vehicles, each movement deliberate and controlled, a testament to his leadership.

**12:26**
**11.19%**

**Chapter 15: The Mate Whisper**

“A gentleman. Even now.”

A warm sensation unfurls in my chest—appreciation, respect, and perhaps something deeper.

I shake my head internally. ‘Stop it,’ I remind myself. ‘This is a contract. A business arrangement. Nothing more.’

Ethan crouches beside a fallen warrior, pressing two fingers to the man’s neck. He shakes his head, moving on to the next. His jaw is set tight, eyes hard with determination.

Three warriors still cling to life. Ethan helps them sit up, checking their wounds with swift, practiced hands. His gaze unfocuses, a mental link forming as he coordinates the rescue efforts.

I watch him work, transfixed. Blood streaks his temple from a gash above his eye, but he pays it no mind. His focus is unyielding, entirely on his people, his voice low and steady as he reassures an injured Beta.

The way he moves, the way he commands even in the midst of chaos—

I force myself to look away.

‘Don’t be foolish, Grace. You can’t afford to feel anything.’

—

**Ethan’s POV**

She almost died.

The thought loops relentlessly through my mind as I help load the last injured warrior into the backup SUV. Grace almost died, and I wasn’t awake to protect her.

Ellen, my wolf, is still snarling in my head, furious and fiercely protective. ‘Mate could have been killed. Should have woken sooner.’

‘I know,’ I reply, my heart heavy with guilt.

When I finally came to and saw that rogue mid-leap, claws aimed at her throat—my heart stopped. It felt like an eternity before Ellen surged through me, savage and single-minded.

Protect. Kill. Protect.

**12:26**
**10.77%**

**Chapter 15: The Mate Whisper**

I glance at Grace. She leans against the least-damaged SUV, arms wrapped tightly around herself. Blood stains her clothes—some of it hers, some belonging to the rogues. Her face is pale, yet composed, a mask of rationality amidst the chaos.

She fought off rogues without a wolf, armed with only a gun and a shard of glass.

‘Magnificent.’

She embodies everything I’ve been searching for, everything I didn’t even know I needed.

Ellen huffs in agreement. ‘Ours. Finally found her.’

The new SUV pulls up, and I gesture for Grace to enter first before sliding in beside her. The driver doesn’t need any instructions; he simply drives, the engine roaring to life.

Silence envelops us, thick and heavy. Grace stares out the window, her jaw clenched tight. I can see the tension coiled in her shoulders, the way her fingers curl into her palms, fighting against the urge to tremble.

“Grace.”

**12:26**
**10.92%**

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