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
“Zaia?”
“Cara? Oh… it’s been ages. How are you?” Zaia asks, her voice sounding far warmer than it was when she spoke to me. “It has been! Wow… babe, you
seen by Cara, I stay hidden. Dad had asked me to bring her to the
you?”
narrow my eyes. No part of this was a date, and
good night,” Zaia says. I exhale slowly, hearing the sound of heels.
“No.” Zaia’s reply comes.
him. He left the table a while ago. “Not at all. He’s long forgotten, Cara. Enjoy your date
will… I’m sorry.” Cara
worth crying over. I’ve moved on.” Zaia’s words sting but I
“Congratulations.”
you. Send Annalise my
Cara mutter as she walks down the corridor and I take the first chance I can to
didn’t he? I walk down the hall, returning to our private room
do apologise for the delay. Now where were we…” I say as I sit
here, I’m now relieved that I did. And no matter how hard I try, I’m unable to remove her image from my mind. My little
be a sign… meeting her again after all these years has
deal is sealed. We part ways and I’m ready to head
you were so on it, after the break!” Cara says, about to hold on
I am your Alpha, nothing more,” I say quietly. She blushes,
with her sleeve. “I
empty, considering the time, though it’s understandable. The gushing sound of the large stone fountain is
keys and we 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
front lawn.
to her father’s pack, I didn’t expect Atticus to still be a part of her life. Especially to the point
She sounds shocked now 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
want to ask you… will you, my beautiful, feisty
Cara’s eyes on me and I turn my
So she’s moved on….
the risk of it happening was there, even if I don’t
small talk, I’m not interested. I drop her off at home before I drive to the mansion and park the
down at Atticus fucking replaying in my mind. My eyes flash with irritation and
the steering
my tie and head up
“Sebastian!”
She’s awake…
“Hmm?”
“Come here!”
where she and Dad are cuddled on the sofa. Mom has a blanket over her, her head resting on Dad’s chest
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