ATTICUS.
It’s hard to stomach, but I also know that it isn’t a lie…
Over a decade ago I once learned that my blood type didn’t match either Dad or Mom’s but when that niggling thought that perhaps Mom cheated on Dad crept into my mind, I shut the entire situation out not wanting to be the reason for their marriage to break up by questioning them on it.
But this wasn’t something I ever considered.
Valerie is my sister. It’s like I’m seeing her in an entirely new light.
As she bandages Hugh and tends to his injuries, I notice she has the same eye shape and colour, even her hair colour is the same as mine.
We’ve just returned and she’s tending to Hugh in the safe house.
He’s been quiet since he asked Zaia if what she she really is gone. When Zaia nodded, he simply fell silent… but I wonder how he must be feeling inside.
Zaia is now filling the others in.
“And then… I shot him.” Zaia turns away and I hate that the pain in her voice crushes me too.
I’m stunned at her revelation, and so are Valerie and Jai.
Did she shoot Sebastian? How did she manage that? He’s fucking fast and powerful.
Jai looks pale. Obviously, his loyalty is to his alpha and friend. I can’t blame Zaia for losing her patience with him.
Zaia hugs herself and I hate seeing her in pain and no matter what anyone else says, I move towards her, placing my arms around her, ignoring Jai’s frown.
I love her, and nothing can change that.
I give her a gentle squeeze.
“You shot him?” Valerie whispers. Her heart is thundering and there’s fear and horror in her eyes, as if Zaia has made a mistake.
Why?
“You had no choice,” I say quietly. “What’s done is done.”
“Of course you will say that, you hate the guy, anyway,” Jai says coldly, but I choose to ignore him.
No, I don’t hate Sebastian. I saw him as a rival, but hate is not the right word. But I’m fucking angry at him for hurting her all over again.
I know that father always said to keep an eye on her and keep her safe, but then I genuinely fell hard… back when I would sneak into her pack. I wish they told me more, and I wonder if Mom knew my connection to the Blood Born and all of this.
After all, I have told them about the Sable and Sublime, but not once have I got the impression that she’s known something.
“Enough Jai,” Zaia says quietly as she steps away and brushes her father’s hair back,
eyes. “I don’t know what to
343
Gerard, he isn’t even
“Then who?” Valerie asks.
Lawrence
as they exchange
and Valerie, but he now looks at me as Zaia
part that we learned on his own terms.” He says with a nod, and I notice that dullness in his eyes
to a
body first… if possible. I
“Tomorrow?” She whispers gently.
seems to debate it before he nods, and she hugs him gently. There’s a pain
back, and his eyes are empty as
To lose a mate…
need to tell us that you need it on your own terms?” Jai asks
cock a brow. “Not that I feel the need to tell you, actually it has nothing to do
annoyance.
that again,
team guys.” Valerie says, but she still seems pale ever since she learned Sebastian was shot, which makes me
thinking that, unless we aren’t related, and
leaving you with him,
mutters.
forgot that they’re
dating or something.
you never listen, but I
what’s going on.” She says, smiling
I need to? Now that it’s before us, I
to go about it. I run my fingers
mentioned that
families. As in how
has three points and there are two triquetras. Zaia and her
and his brother
ever told you because mine never told me, but
are siblings.” I finish.
say it all, not knowing how else to do it or what
I know it’s clicked. She
about it, but Jai seems to believe what I just said. “No,
6/13
I knew… I was told when I was little before my momma passed
looking up at me.
Her eyes are
with unshed
and almost hesitates, as if
she should
matter. We were lucky
silent, and no one speaks. “Well, I’m going to head home. It’s been
Mom too. Why
stay until morning, even if you
a brow as Valerie looks between us before she walks over to
7/13
ask, smiling
annoyance.
and gives me a small smile. I’ve always known she’s been
think I
you can share a
coming to yours then.”
that’s what he
simply smiles and shrugs. She might not be showing how she’s truly feeling, but I’m sure she
speak to Mom, but I need to do it with a clear mind. Maybe staying
my head will help.
lived a lie
I glance over
and stare at the far wall, a thought had crept into my mind not long ago but now that it’s in my mind
Is Zaia awake?
my phone
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
The Novel will be updated daily. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone!