I watch as her face changes from surprise to realisation to devastation. Her heart is thumping wildly as she stares at me, her gorgeous violet eyes wide.
She didn’t know, just as I presumed, and I wish I had somehow found a way to let her know that Valerie needed her. Well, no surprise there, fucking up is my forte and I keep doing that.
She used to be the voice of logic and reason in my life, and why my father truly approved of her. Although he never liked her father, he had always held Zaia in high regard. That is a relationship that is still not the way it used to be before I divorced her.
Looking at her, I know that she deserves that position as CEO. I won’t ever say it, but I’m proud of her.
“I… How?” she asks softly. “We never caught the attacker. It’s a long story and… I shouldn’t be seen here with you. Can we meet somewhere else, maybe tomorrow?” I ask, swallowing as I try not to look at her tempting, glossy lips.
“Meet? You want to meet now? No. Tell me what happened to Valerie. I need to meet her. I need to, I’m an awful friend,” she whispers the end part as she turns her head away.
“No. I should have tried harder to get the message through to you. Look, here’s Jai’s number. He moved to Valerie’s mother’s original pack with the Scotts’ after it happened. Call him, and he’ll tell you the rest of the details and give you the full address,” I say, taking out my own business. card and adding Jai’s number to the bottom. I can’t risk being seen with her, just in case.
She reaches for the card, her fingertips brushing my finger as she takes it. There’s no mate bond, but the tingles of her touch rush through me, strong. My eyes flicker silver for a second before she turns away from me.
“Thank you,” she says, turning her back to me and reaching for the door handle. I hate that she has to leave. Why can’t this moment last longer?
“Zaia,”
She pauses but doesn’t turn back to me, waiting for me to speak. “How are my pups?” I ask quietly. Her heart thuds, but instead of replying, she pulls open the door and steps out.
My own heart squeezes but I don’t fight it. I can’t risk us being seen together. Even if I’m getting closer to learning who they are, I can’t ruin it all when I’ve come so far…
a little longer, Zaia… Then I’ll
“Zaia?”
far warmer than it was when she spoke to me. “It has been! Wow… babe, you
wanting to risk being seen by Cara, I stay hidden. Dad had asked me to bring her to the
colourful, but I’m happy. Truly. How are you?” Zaia asks her,
was here on a dinner date…” Cara trails off and I narrow my eyes. No part of this was a date, and for her to insinuate that it is,
well have fun, and good night,” Zaia says. I exhale slowly, hearing the sound of heels. ” Oh, Zaia! You haven’t seen Sebastian, have you?” Cara asks, and
“No.” Zaia’s reply comes.
mean to be insensitive.” Cara apologises. “I’ve just been looking for him. He left the table a while ago.
we will… I’m sorry.”
I’ve moved on.” Zaia’s words sting but
“Congratulations.”
Send Annalise
walk off. “Where has he gone…” I hear Cara mutter as she walks down
As for Atticus, that idiot should have told her about Valerie… why didn’t he? I walk down the hall, returning to our private room and walking over to our table where the client
delay. Now where
that I did. And no matter how hard I try, I’m unable
sign… meeting her again after
hour later, we’re finally done, and the deal is sealed. We part ways and I’m ready to head home and let
after the break!” Cara says, about to hold on to my arm when
overstep, remember I am your Alpha, nothing more,” I say quietly. She blushes, clearly humiliated, and nods,
with her sleeve. “I don’t really care,” I reply coldly,
though it’s understandable. The gushing sound of the large stone fountain is the only thing you
get in and I put the car in drive. Cara rolls
I’m about to reply, telling her the car has air conditioning when Zaia’s voice reaches me. “Atticus! What are you
my head sharply towards the large fountain at the centre of the front lawn. Her voice is full of surprise and amusement. A flash of irritation and
to her father’s pack, I didn’t expect Atticus to still
What I see is not something I was expecting. Atticus is down on one knee in front of her, in a position
a big step… but I want to ask you… will you,
my gaze ahead, sliding the windows
So she’s moved on….
short time. I knew the risk of it happening was there, even if
Cara tries to make small talk, I’m not interested. I drop her off at home before I drive to the mansion and park the car
off, I sit there, the image of Zaia looking down at Atticus fucking
way he was looking up at her… I clench the steering wheel, my eyes flashing, and I get out.
loosening my tie and head up the stairs
“Sebastian!”
She’s awake…
“Hmm?”
“Come here!”
she and Dad are cuddled on the sofa. Mom has a blanket over
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FeT45M6EV+U6f7TGme6HDFfhbhaFM4So+lH5XQG2+S6YSCjxNVgXlqOYidiE9dhSOHcd5JPSP6phk6klSt4qNsIcCV8RNNAJWXdH5oO9AwZN7DzcUKC0S2UvL276Xo/PwNsC8f3ZPQqtFblTvw+0lyD4m/rahP6O1cQbODjGQkWbGu/S652YhWY5/D0iQPPkHiSNfZ8Pq9V/WTQ6xaFg66Ez9AlUc87THmJtWoOKpo/5R1v4wJZLxR3JQkJZmA3+SgF7F3HMK/z7iTHHIjZiMdeADYNhNt4V651zU50NaLwuFss32Cu7O+M4IJabOfD/zptpscp6XNaKFRDbih4Srrh2Mk0Zjsy7fZCYMW0QGE6zF+W0xXp1ljU8zzJiOf6HcdmnuXfJJ2aVXsYEves1QMtQOV9fpmJaoFYs4dH6IRfwVN5mrJBLFw7FWwAkvQ/7ATDEm1ZVafVE0PDF9yKB7StlAfThN1QQt569X0eRiZVeYB+75mMB9cq6R7DHQZt3fgJY9jPhJY063g4dZASa6P7bJ8U6WQj6e2OIUdLs3C2A3TD0sa/Mak6mYddMSKidc+o9uvngVAyWaXMOjqKbt5vaAww+NrVpfHrjSnQjXk5GpM7kDXMU5iZ7rXWOyA6EDMktBIWD82x9yPPdiC0kKN+BLMjo3hOlxtj9APVl5Kj8J9sXILCIcGTwMU1bvkBIjhLn4hXvO8WtITqQi2jl3jGWW/kmLdyPuD5j2kgxeN3RqK8PJAMNn3vY/jYtVJTyMfpRzyRN3kYCFx6orkCjwwuicFd2JH2NVFbZ+bpi0mWtpAF6zfZ9Rs6HepgqNxFEEXkeRYwzBg3MNsN82q+LbysTevGe8QV/f8FRS7yAs0TWVokV+WML40uG0+JaMerRjNC0q9rB5QLoKjk3k5mI4CRblapIK+aGxVu6yMBAhNSbXU9Dmr2Rd/LgKxXsDdqTxTLmP4oZ00RBeKpxTfWUvuTn4wVKQO4=
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