In the Night
ZAIA. I stare down at the mark. It’s almost the same as mine, Val’s and Atticus’s, but there’s one thing that sticks out to me. The triangular point is facing downwards… Where all of ours has an upside-down V that forms a triangle shape, his is like an inverted version of ours. More so, somehow it just looks more… sinister? 1
I’m not sure if it’s the correct word, but deep down I feel as if something isn’t right. This mark was not on him before. I’ve seen this man naked countless times, kissed his neck right here so many times…
Unease flits through me as Sebastian watches me intently. “How is this…possible?” I murmur, trying to mask my concern. Why is it different? 3
Sebastian rubs the back of his neck as I trace the mark, slowly ignoring the shiver that runs. down my spine.
“I don’t know… but when the three of your touched, I felt a sharp pain, and I heard a voice, something like ‘Forgive me and how I’m the wildcard?’ I’m not sure… I fell unconscious after that. Maybe I imagined it all or maybe it’s linked ” he says quietly, lost in thought. 1
I stare at him for a moment before getting off his lap and slipping my coat on. “What do you mean, you heard a voice?” I ask sharply, looking down at him.
He sighs frustratedly as he sits-back. “I might have forgotten to mention it with everything going on. We got caught up with a lot of crap going on,” he says as if that explains it away as he observes me intently. His words only irritate me.
I can’t read him, he’s wearing one of his sharp shrewd businessmen expressions and I can never make out what he’s thinking when he’s like this.
“How do you forget to mention something so vital? It literally takes two minutes to share something like that! I mean, it doesn’t even take a minute! That’s not something you can just brush off, Sebastian!” I say, wringing my hands, exasperated. “At this rate, who knows. what else you might have forgotten to mention!” 2
I don’t know why I’m so annoyed, but I can’t deny that the mark has left me shaken. He frowns deeply, looking up at me. “Nothing. else, relax Zaia, why are you overreacting?” 5
Excuse me? “Really? Are you actually saying I’m overreacting?” I frown back at him, trying to calm my irritation.
maybe I am…
“Yes. You are. Things happened. It wasn’t intentional that I didn’t mention it,” he growls. “Well, it surely means something,” I murmur. The difference in the design is what’s getting to me the most.
“Well, I’m sure you’ll figure it out,” he says, standing up. I look at him sharply. There’s a hint of annoyance in his voice and I grab hold of his arm. “Sebastian.”
He sighs, pinching the bridge of his nose. “Sorry … I just mean not everything is necessary to share. Some things are irrelevant and don’t need to be discussed.” 2
His words sting. Are they really irrelevant?
“Did you know?” I ask accusingly. “No. I’m just saying.”
“We’re meant to be a team… I’d have thought that meant sharing everything.” I say softly. Just how I shared the fact that Gerard kissed me with him.
He doesn’t answer, and the atmosphere in the room is suddenly cold. “Well, goodnight… I’ll work on getting you out,” I say, turning away.
“Don’t do this, Zaia,” he says quietly, gripping my wrist.
“Do what?” I say, looking at him over my shoulder. “I just don’t have anything to say.”
Our eyes meet and for a moment I feel like saying so much, but I don’t know what I want to say or how. Once again, he doesn’t answer, but he pulls me close, wrapping his arms around me tightly.
“I don’t want to lose you… Let’s not argue,” he says quietly.
It’s my turn to stay quiet and close my eyes, allowing him to hold me for a few moments. I just wish he understood that right now, every little thing that happens is important to share, but we aren’t seeing eye to eye on this matter and what’s worse is he doesn’t want to.
He kisses the top of my head, and I gently pull away. “I’m just worried about everything, Bastien… I just don’t want to be careless.”
He caresses my cheek. “You never are… you’ve always been the better of us two. You don’t need me.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
He smirks, but it’s not reaching his eyes.
“Nothing.” He strokes my cheek softly before letting go. “It’s late. You shouldn’t be out and about alone.”
“I know, but I have security.”
“Great.” I reach up, placing a gentle kiss on his cheek before I tighten my belt. The unease inside of me is growing and I feel restless, I walk to the door and pull it open.
The guards are standing there, and I wonder if they heard anything. Well if they did, I don’t really care.
“Take Alpha Sebastian to his room, I don’t want to see him handcuffed again. Do I make myself clear? He is your Alpha, and he is innocent.” I
say dangerously not looking at any of them.
“Yes, Alpha.” I look over my shoulder as Sebastian steps out of the room, his eyes are glowing silver but he’s not looking in my direction, lost in thought.
I’m sure the mark has concerned him too, maybe he just didn’t want to think of it.
I walk away feeling my heart hurt a little. I’m almost out of the door to the facility when it feels as if Sebastian’s voice is in my head. ‘I love her, I can’t keep hurting her.’ s I spin around but he isn’t there. I frown, touching my head as I scan the darkness around How strange…
“Sebastian?” “Alpha, Alpha Sebastian is inside.” One of my men says politely concern etched on his face.
“I-I know.” I shake my head staring up at the moon. It’s not a full moon but the urge to go for a run consumes me once more. A run in wolf form…
The driver opens the door and I get in, although my heart isn’t in it.
I just need to clear my mind… I’ve rarely shifted, the process had been extremely painful, and it left me bedridden for days but deep down I feel if I shift now, something will be different… I feel different…
The drive home doesn’t take long and when I reach the entrance, I dismiss them.
But I’m not planning to go inside though, when I’m out of view of the guards I slip away down the side of the house and take cover beneath one of the many trees here. I sit down, taking a deep breath as I stare at the moon.
“Selene… if you are watching down on us, then help me,” I murmur, the memory of the pain back when I tried to shift, making me shudder involuntarily.
I can do this, I have to do this…
I close my eyes, taking a deep breath. I’m still feeling tired after sex with Sebastian, but I’m not low on determination.
Focus on shifting…
I do that, imagining myself turning, willing myself to shift, I pull on my aura as I do the same thing. And then I feel it, the fur springing from my hands and neck, feeling my body bend forward and then a numbing sensation washes over me before I hear my bones breaking and morphing but there’s no pain.
My heart is pounding as my vision changes and I’m in wolf form! I spin around, trying to look at myself.
Dark reddish fur, and I know I have orange eyes, of course! I shifted, without pain and I feel energetic!
I’m unable to stop the howl that leaves my mouth, excitement rippling through me before I rush into the trees, speeding up with every step. The wind rushes through my fur, but this feeling, it’s so…. relaxing.
I feel a surge of excitement rushing through me and if I was in my human form, I’d be smiling ear to ear. Sebastian! If you could see me right now, you would be so proud… Maybe one day we can race one another!
I can’t wait to tell him. I speed up, wondering how fast I can go. The passing trees and buildings are a blur and when I finally slow down I don’t know how far I’ve come until I hear something and I instantly slow down more, scanning the surrounding area.
I’m not even sure where I am… is this the outskirts of the city? Chilling realisation envelops me. I know exactly where I am…
Rogue territory. My sinister thought is confirmed when I hear a low menacing growl from behind me…
