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?”
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,
by Cara, I stay hidden. Dad had asked me to bring her to the meeting, but right now I
the rumours are colourful, but I’m happy. Truly. How are you?” Zaia asks
I’m good, actually I was here on a dinner date…” Cara trails off and I narrow my eyes.
the sound of heels. ” Oh, Zaia! You haven’t
“No.” Zaia’s reply comes.
I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to be insensitive.” Cara apologises. “I’ve just been looking for him. He left the table a while
thank you, we will… I’m sorry.” Cara mumbles. I
Zaia’s words sting but I can’t blame her when I’m just standing here. Silent. Once
“Congratulations.”
Send Annalise
mutter as she walks down the corridor
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 with his wife. She is the only
where were we…” I say as
about coming 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
a sign… meeting her again after all these years has to mean
is sealed. We part ways and I’m ready to head home and
Cara says, about to hold on to my arm when I move it
am your Alpha, nothing more,” I say quietly. She blushes, clearly humiliated, and nods, tucking
she mutters, fiddling with her sleeve. “I don’t really
the hotel. It’s mainly empty, considering the time, though it’s understandable. The gushing sound
in and I put the car in drive. Cara rolls the window
her the car has air conditioning when Zaia’s voice
at the centre of the front lawn. Her voice is
to her father’s pack, I didn’t expect Atticus to still be a part
can’t help but silently turn to look in that direction. What I see is not something
but I want to ask you…
hard, feeling Cara’s eyes on me and I turn my gaze ahead, sliding the
So she’s moved on….
risk of it happening was there,
I’m not interested. I drop her off at home before I drive to the
image of Zaia looking down at Atticus fucking replaying in my mind. My eyes flash with irritation and I
I clench the steering wheel, my eyes flashing, and I get out.
my tie and head up the
“Sebastian!”
She’s awake…
“Hmm?”
“Come here!”
sofa. Mom has a blanket over her, her head resting
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