ZAIA.
“What’s wrong?” I ask, concerned. The meeting has ended, and we had just gotten home. I immediately called Dad in the car but he had not picked up, making me extremely worried. Sebastian had told me to remain calm, and I was relieved when he had rang back a few moments ago.
“Calm down, Zaia, everything is handled, but you should come down as soon as you can,” Dad says calmly. Why did he sound… different?
“What happened?” I asked. “You said it’s urgent and now you’re saying to calm down?” “We’ll discuss it when you pop down, say tomorrow? Alright?”
Pop down?
That doesn’t sound like Dad, his voice sounds almost indifferent.
“Are you sure tomorrow is ok? I can come down tonight?” I suggest, running my fingers through my hair as I take out some black pants and a fitted black top from my suitcase.
“Yes. You should come tomorrow, take care. He ends the call and I frown down at it. That was… strange.
He didn’t even ask about the children, that… isn’t like Dad.
Is everything ok? Tomorrow… I’ll talk to the boys and Val, and see what they make of it. Putting my thoughts aside, I change swiftly and pull on some boots, ready to meet Olivan and his people. Leaving our room, I head downstairs, the sound of talking reaching my ears.
Three voices?
Jai and… is
doing here?” I ask with a smile as I make my way down the stairs, surprised to see
smirk.
I walk over to
not
you to the Rogues. I wanted to make
say with a smile. His eyes meet mine before he looks
staying with the
little concerned, but he’s masking it well. I glance back
told me he’d come with me, but… I was expecting it.
because he seemed
be concerned if you called Atticus to accompany me. Although I think I would have been fine alone.” I
and I will tell all three of you this one final time. The decision is ultimately yours. Don’t go anywhere with them. They chose the meeting spot. Do not let them dictate the final location. Keep it in the open and stay aware. Trust no one.” Sebastian says before he looks me
won’t be that bad. I mean, they did let Zaia go unharmed.” Jai
care what happens to anyone but her. Bring her back, safe.” Sebastian says, his eyes cold as he looks at Jai.
replies with a bow of his
sounded weird… I think something isn’t
he
let’s head out now, it’s almost time.”
he steps back. Our eyes meet and I give him a
I say to
are staked all around. I had a feeling they’d watch your pack, so I had mine put in place.” Atticus says,
“Smart move,” Jai says.
“Might have been partially Sebastian’s idea.”
I warn them. Atticus looks over at me as I’m sitting in the back.
car?” “I don’t think so, but it doesn’t matter. We aren’t returning in this one.” I murmur as he
says. “Mine actually, since he was being so paranoid,” I say as we get out, lock the car doors and head to the same spot where I had met
paying attention, honing in on everything around me, trying to feel and hear for any change in the vibrations beneath us or our surroundings. I can smell others around. They aren’t close,
nod as we step into the clearing and
a few moments before I hear a rustle in the trees, and we all turn as Olivan steps out of the trees with two men who I am certain
eyes sharp as they assess us. “Alpha Zaia, what a surprise – I had thought perhaps you would change your mind.” He smiles, but there’s a distrusting glint in his eyes as he looks at Jai and Atticus. “I didn’t know you
in hopes that you understand what I am trying to do. So together we can discuss
Olivan says, taking me by
as I said, potential alliance. I told you before, that I am willing to do an exchange.” I remind him
can discuss the terms and what benefits it would bring for both parties,” he says, motioning for me to
off, knowing that if I did just that…. it would do nothing
asks, almost as if expecting me to
I say instead with a small smile. Atticus looks down at me, frowning, clearly not happy with the decision I’ve
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Rt/4vMDLEPDm9SeWhfCxC1voIUjGOprVkQP9QyK8O9hoTSSlex07GgN1lpGG7c5DeyJc85I6
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