SEBASTIAN.
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…
Just a little longer, Zaia… Then I’ll come for you.
“Zaia?”
Fuck. “Cara? Oh… it’s 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, you look… gorgeous. I see you’re doing well. Not what we hear.” Cara laughs.
Not wanting to risk being seen by Cara, I stay hidden. Dad had asked me to bring her to the meeting, but right now I wish I hadn’t.
“Thanks, I’m sure the rumours are colourful, but I’m happy. Truly. How are you?” Zaia asks her, not missing a beat and clearly not fazed by Cara’s remark.
“Oh, I’m good, actually I was here on a dinner date…” Cara trails off and I narrow my eyes. No part of this was a date, and for her to insinuate that it is, is pissing me off.
“Oh, I see, well have fun, and good night,” Zaia says. I exhale slowly, hearing the sound of heels. ” Oh, Zaia! You haven’t seen Sebastian, have you?” Cara asks, and I clench my jaw.
“No.” Zaia’s reply comes.
“Oh, 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 ago. “Not at all. He’s long forgotten, Cara. Enjoy your date together.”
“Oh, thank you, we will… I’m sorry.” Cara mumbles. I cock a brow.
Really? “Don’t be. A man like him is not worth crying over. I’ve moved on.” Zaia’s words sting but I can’t blame her when I’m just standing here. Silent. Once again.
“Congratulations.”
“Thank you. Send Annalise my greetings.”
Zaia’s voice comes before I hear her walk off. “Where has he gone…” I hear Cara mutter as she walks down the corridor and I take the first chance I can to slip out.
I’ll alert Jai because I’m sure Zaia will want to meet Valerie. As for Atticus, that idiot 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 reason I agreed to bring Cara.
“I do apologise for the delay. Now where were we…” I say as I sit down.
Where I had felt pissed off 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 fox…
This has got to be a sign… meeting her again after all these years has to mean something…
An hour later, we’re finally done, and the deal is sealed. We part ways and I’m ready to head home and let Jai know.
“That was so good you were so on it, after the break!” Cara says, about to hold on to my arm when I move it away, giving her a cold look.
“Don’t overstep, remember I am your Alpha, nothing more,” I say quietly. She blushes, clearly humiliated, and nods, tucking a strand of her black hair behind her ear.
“Sorry Alpha Sebastian… Umm… You know I saw Zaia earlier…” she mutters, fiddling with her sleeve. “I don’t really care,” I reply coldly, ending the conversation right there.
We head through the large front lawn of the hotel. It’s mainly empty, considering the time, though it’s understandable. The gushing sound of the large stone fountain is the only thing you can hear.
The Valet hands me my car keys and we get in and I put the car in drive. Cara rolls the window down, fanning herself.
“Gosh, it’s so hot.” She says, I’m about to reply, telling her the car has air conditioning when Zaia’s voice reaches me. “Atticus! What are you doing!”,
I freeze, turning my head sharply towards the large fountain at the centre of the front lawn. Her voice is full of surprise and amusement. A flash of irritation and jealousy rushes through me.
When I learned she had gone to her father’s pack, I didn’t expect Atticus to still be a part of her life. Especially to the point that they’re laughing together.
“Atticus…” She sounds shocked now and I can’t help but silently turn to look in that direction. What I see is not something I was expecting. Atticus is down on one knee in front of her, in a position that is far too familiar.
“Zaia… I know that this is a big step… but I want to ask you… will you, my beautiful, feisty queen, marry me?” s
I swallow hard, feeling Cara’s eyes on me and I turn my gaze ahead, sliding the windows up, not wanting to hear her answer.
So she’s moved on….
Three years…. It’s not a short time. I knew the risk of it happening was there, even if I don’t like it.
The ride home passes in silence, and although Cara tries to make small talk, I’m not interested. I drop her off at home before I drive to the mansion and park the car inside the underground garage.
Switching the ignition off, I sit there, the image of Zaia looking down at Atticus fucking replaying in my mind. My eyes flash with irritation and I clench my jaw.
The smile on her lips, the way he was looking up at her… I clench the steering wheel, my eyes flashing, and I get out. No, I’m not losing her. Fuck, not this time.
I make my way up to the mansion and step inside, loosening my tie and head up the stairs only for Mom to call me when I’m halfway up.
“Sebastian!”
She’s awake…
“Hmm?”
“Come here!”
I turn and walk to the lounge instead, where she and Dad are cuddled on the sofa. Mom has a blanket over her, her head resting on Dad’s chest as he drinks his glass of scotch.
“Evening,” I say curtly. Mom may have forgiven me, but it took her several months and when there’s an opportunity to bring Zaia into the conversation, she will.
After everything had happened and she had publicly shamed Annalise and called her a homewrecker she was hell-bent on contacting Zaia but both Dad and I had surprisingly agreed on the fact she shouldn’t. Although Dad’s logic was that I’m the one who should be bringing her back, no one else.
“How was the dinner?” Dad asks not moving his eyes from the television screen.
“It was good,” I reply curtly.
“I’m glad you took Cara,” he adds. “You told me to, since it’ll give her experience,” I say, frowning. He nods slowly. “Of course. Perhaps you need to look into taking a wife, this pack needs an heir.”
“Or bring back my grandchildren. We have heirs!” Mom adds frowning. “I doubt they’re his. Only a fool wouldn’t go after his own pups,” Dad says coldly.
“Mm,” I reply. He doesn’t know my reasons, and there were enough threats through the years to keep me away. But I’m not taking a wife. He can keep dreaming. It’s obvious that was his reason for sending Cara with me.
“Toussaint Enterprises’ stock shares just soared, the value has gone up. I hear Hugh Toussaint has made her his heir, and it’s obvious the business world approves.
Rumours are that Atticus Payne and she may even be engaged. They will become a powerhouse.” Dad says icily. Now turning his gaze on me as if ready to analyse my reaction. “Good for them,” I say quietly.
“Indeed, but not for us, when there’s not even an heir.” He counters. “And you are clearly more worried about the business and status than the fact that groups of rogue wolves have been teeming into our cities without even being questioned.”
“You are the Alpha.”
“Yet you like to interfere,” I reply icily. “Well, I try not to. I’m trying to simply stop you from burning this pack and city to the ground.”
My eyes blaze silver, but I try to control myself. “Goodnight,” I say before turning and heading upstairs. Entering my room, I lock the door after me and shutting the blinds I head to the safe.
Taking out my burner phone, I switch it on and ring Jai’s secret number, hoping his burner phone is switched on.
He picks up after a few rings. “Hey there Batman, Robin speaking.” Jai’s voice comes. I resist the urge to pinch the bridge of my nose. “Ok Robin, how are you holding up?”
I hear a soft sigh before he speaks. “I’m ok… trying to fight them not to do this… they say they want to end her suffering,” he murmurs.
It is a complicated situation, but I know Jai held on to hope… for him I wish she’d wake up, but the chances are next to none. “I’m sorry… if there’s anything I can do, let me know. You know I’m always here.” I reply quietly.
“Yeah… I know… thanks.” He replies. There’s a pause before he speaks again. “So … how come you rang?” “I ran into Zaia earlier tonight and told her about Valerie… she’ll probably be calling you.”
“Oh… cool, I’m sure Valerie will like that, although she didn’t bother sooner,” he replies, a hint of bitterness in his voice.
“Jai…” I begin.
“No, it’s fine. I just think her friend could have been there for her.” “I know, but I also didn’t try hard enough to get through to her. You know I gave up after that visit to Atticus’ pack.”
“Yeah, I know, but you had no choice,” he says, sighing heavily. “I’m just I have a lot on my mind. So, she’ll probably want to visit, I’m assuming?”
“Yes…”
“Sure, got it. What is it? Something is bothering you.” He questions. Got to admit he knows me. “Well… Tonight that Payne in the ass proposed to her and I’m not letting her marry him.”
“Ah… So when she comes to see Val, you’ll want to coincidentally happen to be here, correct?” he asks, sounding a little better. I smirk slightly. “Now we’re on the same page.” He chuckles lightly and the mood lifts. Perfect. So what do you have in mind?”
I lean back against the headboard, swinging my legs onto the bed and crossing them at the ankles. I can’t help but smirk as I begin telling him my plan…
