"You don't trust him either?"
                          
"He was feeding on my friend at her lowest moment, hell no. I think he's using her, and for more complicated reasons than what she tastes like. Chandler's a reporter, obviously he's digging for something. He was sneaking around the Blue Moon after the Revenant attacked the Fairway, now he's here too. If there's one thing I know about this crazy, upside-down town, it's that there's no such thing as a coincidence. It wasn't just Naomi, E. Chandler wanted to kill you. He wanted you out of the way--he saved you because Prince Charming told him to. Who knows. Maybe Naomi was right--maybe we can trust Tidus."
                          
"Not you too." Ethan rolled his eyes and sighed at the ceiling. "I thought you had better taste."
                          
"Well, we dated so obviously not." The girl shrugged. "You have every reason to be upset--but be the bigger guy. Mimi is super vulnerable right now. I don't think she even knows what she wants. She told me this story about how Tidus knew her dad. Tidus even saved her from Catherine when she was little--of course she's gonna be into him. I think having him around makes her feel protected, like Jack did. It's what she needs right now. Given everything that's happening--with her grandmother, Catherine, her magic--we can't blame her for wanting to feel safe. And I have to admit, Tidus seems to be doing a better job at it than you and me." She shrugged, and with a bitter smile, Addy backed her way to the staircase. "I'm gonna go check on our patient-slash-prisoner, make sure she's comfortable and doesn't escape. Again."
                          
Ethan watched her go, with the instinct to follow after. But Addy was right. He was the Alpha. Protecting Naomi was his first priority and he couldn't do it standing by her bedside, holding her hand.
                          
By the time Ethan made his way back to the drawing room, Chandler and Tidus were already in deep discussion. Two peas in their freakshow pod--the handsome dork and the handsome twat. They stood by the fire, drinking scotch out of smart crystal glasses as they dissected their current plan of action: nothing. Ethan helped himself to the bar cart.

                          
"Are you sure she's not like... us?" Chandler inspected his drink, then took another sip. "The Otherworld--it's a big place, y'know."
                          
"She's like us, but different." Tidus was lost in the flames. They flickered pink and he smiled, his gaze traveling up the walls to the ceiling..."Naomi can't be from the Otherworld, I knew her parents--"     
                          
"So did I." Ethan leered, tipping his own glass at the gentleman. "You aren't the only one close to her, meaning you two aren't the only ones who can make the decisions around here. I vote we take Mimi out of the castle, move her someplace more... human. She can stay with me." 

                          
"That will be the last thing that happens." Tidus placed his drink on the mantle, then turned from the fireplace, hands behind his back. "Naomi doesn't know this yet, but as a member of the Revenant Council, sadly, she can no longer consort with the Leadership. As Alpha, that includes you."

                          
Chandler smugly averted his gaze from the others, burying his grin in his drink. 

                          
Ethan scoffed, downed his drink, and slapped it on the bar. "You're out of your goddamn mind if you think some rinky-dink rule is gonna stop me from protecting Naomi. Beside, it's like you said--there's no more alliance, bub. Your laws don't mean shit.. The best you can do, friend, is figure out a way to save Naomi. Because if I lose her, I guarantee both of you will lose a lot more." And he strode to the velvet wingchair in the corner, throwing himself in the seat to brood alone.
                          
"I'm all for dusting off the old cape and saving the pretty girl--but I have to ask--what happened to her?" Chandler sallied forth, brows raised in inquisition. "Seriously, the last time I saw Naomi she wasn't like this. The person upstairs I hardly recognize. It's like... Hyde and Jekyll, mean and meaner."