SEBASTIAN.
Sighing, I strum my fingers on the steering wheel as I drive towards Dark Hollow Falls Pack territory, mulling over everything. Handsome…
Why does that feel off? Then there is the way she texts saying it’s too loud for her to talk… Zaia would move away, she’s not that person who would have an issue with that. Maybe it’s wishful thinking, but I don’t think that was Zaia on the other side of the phone.
The more I think about it, the more it makes sense, but again, it could have been her simply behaving that way, knowing it would get to me. Both are possibilities.
Maybe I’m looking too much into it, but the Zaia I know would have had a few choice words to say to me. She isn’t the type to let others handle her problems.
The biggest red flag is the fact she didn’t even seem a little worried about Valerie. I would presume she would check up on her for peace of mind and if it was a lie, she would then let loose on me.
Anger makes a person blind too, so I can’t rule that out either. I’ll find a way to get through to you, Zaia. I really will…
My phone rings and I run my fingers through my hair, glancing at the LCD screen in the car. Unknown caller?
Zaia? My heart quickens a little; maybe she did end up being worried about Valerie..
I hit the answer button.
“Sebastian,” I answer.
“I don’t think my warnings were enough.”
I tense and I almost slam my foot on the brakes as the robotic distorted voice fills the car. It’s rough, coarse and aggressive.
“Who is this?”
“Who do you think? I gave you those warnings, but you decided to ignore them. Do you remember the note from July the 13th?”
I frown, my stomach twisting. It’s been a while since the notes stopped…
Since I split from Zaia…
“I do,” I say, trying to keep him talking I need to alert someone to try to trace the call. I lift my hand, ready to press a button on the phone to send a text when a slow chuckle fills the car.
“Really? Do you really think you can catch me? If I were you, SK, I’d look for a way to get out of the car before you crash. I don’t think your brakes are working.”
I frown as I press my foot on the brakes only to realise he’s right. They aren’t working and the car is moving at a pretty fast speed.
But they were a short while ago!
“I am in charge of the programming of your car. Got to love automatic smart cars! Now answer the question before the car poofs. Time is running out SK. Now focus… focus on that July the 13th message!”
July the 13th…
How can I forget? That was the message that specifically told me that as long as she’s with me he’ll never leave her alone… My eyes flash, my hands tightening on the steering wheel.
“I see you remember,” he hisses, the crackling in the background rings through the car as I try the car door handle.
Locked!
Fuck.
I try to unlock it, but the car is no longer under my control. “So, what do you want me to do? I only went there to tell her about her friend.”
“No, no, NO SK! DON’T LIE! I call the shots here! Remember that! I told you to stay away. You put on a pretty good show by sending her away. But now I wonder, is it all just a game to you?” The voice is almost like a singsong tone despite the distortion to it.
One thing is clear: the person really is unhinged. I grit my teeth. How had I become so relaxed?
“Now… let’s try this again SK. Use your brain, use your brain. I am not here to fulfil empty threats! So, you have about two minutes before that car poofs like popcorn!” He cackles and I frown. He’s fucking unhinged.
“What do you want?” I snarl. “I will give you one last warning because I am such a good person. See, I’m giving you a chance. I even called to help you understand, you dimwit!” a I frown as I tug at the door, trying to slow the car down but failing.
“Let. Her. GO0000! Do you get it, SK?
“Let. Her. G00000! Do you get it, SK? Let her go! If you continue to chase her, do you see the position you are in right now? That will be her, and those little cute babies that she’s cooking inside of her will get squished if she gets into an accident now, won’t she?”
“Hey!” I snarl. “Don’t you dare touch her! Your issue is with me, target me, not her!” He cackles, sounding choked as if it’s so fucking funny he can’t breathe.
“You are a joker SK, oh god you are so funny… but I am serious.” His voice drops the sick playfulness as it returns to deeper and darker. “Now. This is the final warning: Leave her alone or she will die, and you won’t be burying one but three. Stay away and she stays safe.”
I stare ahead. The car is picking up speed and I slam my elbow into the window, shattering the glass, trying the handle from outside as the speed keeps picking up.
Fuck! “Oh yes! Jump jump jump! Time’s ticking!” “Listen to me, don’t touch her and I’ll… I’ll stay away,” I say, my heart squeezing, but the truth is I did get careless…
So lost in wanting her back that I forgot the threats that were the reasons I sent her away to begin with. I can’t risk her for my own selfishness…
“Well…. That depends on you. Stay true to your words, SK, and I will stay away from her and the little cute buns in the over!” He cackles, the sudden smell of something burning reaching my nose.
The brakes aren’t working at all, and I grab my phone unplugging it as I place it to my ear.
“I give you my word. I will stay away from her. Don’t touch her….do whatever you want to me, but leave her out of this.” I say, my voice trembling with rage, but I’m trying to control myself. After all, the ball is in his court.
I can’t let my arrogance or rage get the better of me, for the sake of my children and woman. “Then as long as you keep your side of the deal, she is safe!”
The line cuts and I shove my phone into my pocket. Holding onto the steering wheel to keep it steady and with the other I smash out the large shards of glass in the window before hoisting myself up.
The car’s moving at a violent speed, and I take a deep breath, holding the wheel as steady as possible as I pull myself out of the window.
The car swerves violently and I flip in the air, before I hit the ground. Landing on my feet but unable to keep my balance, jarring pain rushes through my knees and I suck in a breath.
The impact makes me groan as I fall to my knees before I hit the ground, rolling over as I watch the car swivel ahead.
With no one steering, it flips over and I shield my face as it smashes into the corner of the mountain. An ear- shattering explosion fills the air and the car erupts into flames.
The huge explosion causes debris to fly everywhere. I pull myself against the nearest tree, the taste of blood is strong in my mouth as I breathe heavily.
His words replay in my mind, and I feel guilty, regretful, and fucking useless.
“Zaia…”
I’ve failed her, failed my pups and above all failed to keep her safe. I need to stop chasing her… I need to find the person behind this first. Before I even consider winning her back.
I flinch as I reach into my pocket. Pain rushes up my arm and neck as I take out my phone. The screen has a crack, but it’s working. I breathe heavily as the pain in my side gets worse and I dial Jai’s number.
“Hey Seb, where are you?”
“On the way back from Atticus’s pack. I “Yeah… ok, listen. You need to get back here as soon as possible, Valerie’s family is trying to get her out of here. They don’t want to stay anymore. Someone tried to break into the hospital Seb,” his voice is full of worry and I take a slow breath.
Right now, my own situation is not important, my pack needs me.
“Calm down, Jai. I’m coming. We’ll figure this out and tell the Scotts to wait for me. I will do everything in my power to keep her safe.”
“Ok… be quick man… we need you here.”
“Coming.”
I hang up and force myself to shift into my wolf. The agony of my broken bones reshaping and reforming makes me groan, but the pain is soon dulled. I gather up my phone in my mouth before breaking into a run.
With every passing second, I feel as if I’m losing Zaia a little more as I put distance between us. This may be a hindrance to us, but I promise I won’t give up. I just need to do better… and I will.
