CHAPTER FIFTY EIGHT - MISSTEPS AND MISUNDERSTANDINGS

"Erik was always better at it," Ethan said, a hint of bitterness creeping into his voice. "Better at everything, really. The perfect son, the perfect alpha-in-training." Anna set down her controller, turning to face him. "That must have been hard, always being compared to him." Ethan shrugged, but Anna could see the pain in his eyes. "It is what it is. Erik's the alpha, the successful businessman, the one everyone looks up to. And I'm just... the screw-up little brother." "I don't think that's true," Anna said softly. "You're your own person, Ethan. You have your own strengths, your own path." Ethan scoffed, but there was less heat in it than usual. "Yeah? And what path is that? Professional couch potato?" Anna smiled gently. "I don't know. But I do know that you're more than just Erik's brother. You're smart, you're funny when you're not being a jerk, and you clearly care about this pack, even if you show it in... unconventional ways." For a moment, Ethan was quiet, absorbing he