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…
little longer, Zaia… Then I’ll
“Zaia?”
it was when she spoke to me. “It has been! Wow… babe, you look… gorgeous. I see you’re doing well. Not what we hear.” Cara
Cara, I stay hidden. Dad had asked me to
you?” Zaia
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
good night,” Zaia says. I exhale slowly, hearing the sound of heels. ” Oh, Zaia! You haven’t seen Sebastian, have you?” Cara asks, and I
“No.” Zaia’s reply comes.
Cara apologises. “I’ve just been looking for him. He left the table a while ago. “Not at all. He’s long forgotten, Cara. Enjoy your
thank you, we will… I’m sorry.” Cara mumbles. I cock a
like him is not worth crying over. I’ve moved on.” Zaia’s words sting but
“Congratulations.”
Send Annalise
I hear Cara mutter as she walks down the corridor and I take the first chance I can
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 is waiting
the delay. Now where were
I did. And no matter how hard I try, I’m unable
meeting her again after
deal is sealed. We part ways and I’m ready to head home and let
good you were so on it, after the break!” Cara says, about to hold on to my arm
am your Alpha, nothing more,” I say quietly. She blushes, clearly humiliated, and nods, tucking a strand
mutters, fiddling with her
mainly empty, considering the time, though it’s understandable. The gushing sound of the
my car keys and we get in and I put the car in drive. Cara rolls the window
reply, telling her the car has air conditioning when Zaia’s
sharply towards the large fountain at the centre of the front lawn. Her voice is full of surprise and amusement. A
learned she had gone to her father’s pack, I didn’t expect Atticus to still be a part of her life.
and I can’t help but silently turn to look in that direction. What I see is not something I was expecting. Atticus is down on one knee in front of her, in a position that is far too
is a big step… but I want to ask you… will you, my beautiful, feisty
hard, feeling Cara’s eyes on me and I turn my gaze ahead, sliding the windows up, not wanting to hear
So she’s moved on….
years…. It’s not a short time. I knew the risk of
passes in silence, and although Cara tries to make small talk, I’m not interested. I drop her off at home before I drive to
off, I sit there, the image of Zaia looking down at Atticus fucking replaying in my mind. My eyes
steering wheel, my eyes flashing, and I
tie and head up
“Sebastian!”
She’s awake…
“Hmm?”
“Come here!”
on the sofa. Mom has a blanket over her, her head resting on Dad’s chest as he drinks his
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