Calvin winced, feeling guilty for not filtering his words before speaking when he saw Ethlyn wincing at his choice of words. "I... I'm sorry. I... I..."

"It's okay," Ethlyn replied, attempting to hide the pain in her eyes. "Anyone else in your place might have thought the same way. Hell, even pack members who knew me all my life didn't hesitate to call me by multiple names back then; you were just a stranger who knew nothing about me."

"Don't be sad," Calvin whispered softly, not wanting to see her in this state.

"Huh?"

"I mean, I don't want Rose to see you like this; otherwise, she'll think I'm the...