A Couple of Plans
ZAIA. “Zaia, is everything ok?” I look up at Mom from where I’m slicing the potatoes for the evening meal.
“Of course, why do you ask?” I smile. Mom looks concerned from where she’s braiding Sia’s hair at the kitchen table.
“You don’t cook unless you have a lot on your mind.” She says with a knowing look of understanding in her eyes.
I returned yesterday morning and although I filled her in on everything with Valerie; I refrained from telling her what went down between Sebastian and me.
I don’t know why, but I know how she would have disapproved of me spending the night with him, and that would only make me feel worse…
My heart clenches as I remember that morning….
(FLASHBACK)
My eyes flutter open and I find myself cocooned in warmth. I snuggle back against the hard wall of muscle behind me when I tense. Wall of muscle?
Sebastian!
I’m about to pull away when I realise that my head is on his arm, his hand clamped around my breast, his other arm firmly around my hips, holding me tightly against him…
He’s asleep, I can tell from his steady heartbeat…
burying his face into my neck. “You smell
always hold me
up. For a fleeting moment, I want to enjoy the warmth and comfort that his
his hold. I have to make sure I never
(END OF FLASHBACK)
please answer me,” Mom says, making me look over my shoulder
Valerie has been on my mind, and I have
you can call it that. I know in this day and age the practices of our ancestors aren’t implemented at all,
going to ask Sebastian to allow Valerie to be brought here? You know how he
distaste. “I know, but hopefully for Jai, he listens,” I say shortly. I have made
she didn’t catch my tone, and if she did, that
my reflection in the kitchen window, wondering who would want us apart? Who
you didn’t know about Valerie,” Mom says as Sia slides off the stool and walks over to
holds her paper up to me. I crouch down and take it from her. “Oh, it’s beautiful!
then the moon will heal her.” She says in her adorable little voice. I look at her sharply, my heart skipping a beat. The theory I’ve been discussing
little princess and hug her tightly. “That is the perfect plan,” I say, stroking her
nod as I stand up, carrying Sia. “Yes, deep down, I feel that this will help. We are werewolves, Mom. When I
I nod. I told them a little about Valerie when
of course, asked many questions. They may be three years old, but they are bright. I’m just waiting for the day that they ask
this, Zaia?” Dad asks. We’re in my new office, one floor up, at the Toussaint Headquarters, and he has just
proposal.” I read aloud before I cock my brow. “I don’t want to lose focus on what I am doing, Father.
as I look across at him. He’s
slightly. “No, aside from someone else stepping in on the Zero project, there’s a high chance we might lose that deal.” He grunts. “If we had Atticus’s backup, I think we could have secured the position and proved we have
him for a
mountains… look, Dad, don’t worry, I’m flying out there for the meeting and I’m extremely
King’s.” Dad almost snarls. My heart skips a beat at the mention of Sebastian. Why
messing with my mind again,
I don’t think
worked on this project for so long, I will not let anyone take it from me, not you Dad, or Sebastian. If he wants to compete for it, then I’m up for the competition, but I am not taking
Sebastian has only grown over the past years. Whilst he came to accept. and approve of Atticus, his resentment for Sebastian and his
something. I don’t want you going alone. I will come with you.” Dad says firmly,
shake my head. “No. You need
trip will
trying to think I dislike long trips and knowing that my babies are near would
“She doesn’t “Security-”
will touch those children, here or abroad.” He says firmly. “No one, not even Sebastian King, will know
I appreciate the most and I won’t ever forget it, no matter what the future holds. “Thank you. I think we can
“Or perhaps Atticus-”
don’t think it’s smart for me to go with him when the rumours are already spread all over the media.” I say, picking up the file and flipping through the different
photographs. Me and Atticus. at the party, a blurred image at
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
The Novel will be updated daily. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone!