Tension charged the air between us.
At the brink of Shadow Moon's pack lands, Sebastian fixed his golden gaze on me. For years, fate had been dragging me to those eyes.
But to me today, they meant nothing.
I did not move. I didn't talk. Not thinking about his weight, I let the stillness extend.
Sebastian was the one that broke first.
"Zaia," he repeated once more, his voice softer this time, as if he were attempting to absorb what was in front of him.
Like he no longer knew me.
decent.
Kai was at my side, arms crossed and silver eyes sparkling with laughter. Still, well, well. At last the ex-mate chooses to show his face.
Sebastian looked at him, his face stiffening. "This has nothing of relevance to you."
Kai laughed—the sound heavy and deep. You are mistaken in that regard. Now everything about Zaia worries me.
Sebastian's wolf bristled under his skin as his hands closed.
I paid close attention to him, waiting for the wrath to flow. since Sebastian followed that. When he lost control, he snipped.
This time, though, I was not terrified of his rage.
My voice calm, I turned to him. " Why are you here, Sebastian?"
His mouth constricted. "I really needed to see you."
I drew an eyebrow. " why?"
He hesitated, only for a moment. But that was sufficient.
Enough for me to see the struggle in his eyes, the regret he aimed to swallow.
Years of knowing every change in his feelings, every flutter of uncertainty had gone towards me.
And presently?
Sebastian King fretted.
Not going to lose me.
Still, of knowledge he already possessed.
"You shouldn't be here," I said, sharper than before. "Remember you, you turned away me."
Guilt, fury, something he wasn't ready to label flashed across his face.
"I erred.."
The words loomed large and oppressive between us.
a fault.
I laughed silently and humorously without any force. Not, Sebastian. You made decisions.
His lips parted like he wanted to protest, but what could he possible say?
He had split apart my universe.
He had left me to bleed among our bond's wreckage.
And now, at last starting to rebuild, he wanted a second chance?
I walked forward slowly and deliberately. "Exactly what do you hope from me?"
Sebastian tried hard to swallow. "I—"?
Kai moved in before he could complete. "I believe we are finished here." His voice was cool but firm, flavoured with enough power to cause even an Alpha to pause.
Sebastian turned to meet Kai and his eyes clouded. You believe you could keep her here?
Kai wore a slow, thoughtful smile. I have no need to keep her anyplace. She remains because she so wants.
Sebastian gasped, and I knew those words had struck more powerfully than any physical strike ever could.
Not in charge for the first time in his life.
I turned away and silently headed back towards the packhouse.
Since nothing else could be said.
The area was barely illuminated, gentle shadows created by the fire casting against the wall. While my body hurt from exercise, my mind was far more tired.
I still could hear Sebastian's remarks.
I blundered.
I closed my eyes, bidding the memory away. I was not going to let his regret weigh me.
I was taken from my thoughts by a gentle knock at the door.
Go in.
Kai came in, not sporting his customary smile. His eyes were nonreadable for once.
With folded arms, he leant against the door. You handled that rather nicely.
I let out a slow breath. I meant what I had stated.
Kai nodded. I know.
Silence enveloped us, loaded with something unspoken.
He then moved forward a step. "But that doesn't mean it's over."
I wrinkled. What do you mean?
Kai had silver eyes that shone. You felt it, did you not?
I tightened. " sensed what?"
His lips started to twitch. "The change. The link between you and Sebastian is virtually lost but not entirely gone.
My chest tightened. I had sensed it as well.
Though Sebastian had come for me too late, his presence had aroused something inside me that I chose not to admit.
I let out a hard breath. "It is meaningless. I no longer live with him.
Kai looked at me for a protracted period. Then he reached into his pocket and grabbed a tiny, silver pendant.
Simple but exquisite, the metal bore complex marks.
He pointed it in my direction. "Pick it."
I halted. "What are you asking for?"
Kai's face became serious. "A charming quality. Worn by wolves with... uncommon bloodlines.
My mouth stopped in my throat. Exclusive bloodlines.
My fingertips stroking the cool metal, I reached for the pendant. "Why are you handing me this?"
Kai let out a measured breath. "Because you're more than just a dropped Luna, Zaia."
A shiver slid down my back.
"What are you Saying?" I said silently.
Kai turned his eye towards me. "You are waking up whatever power you possess."
Sitting in my office, I fixed a blank stare at the whisky bottle before me. Though the packhouse was quiet, inside my head everything was anarchy.
Zaia passed away.
Not only on the bodily level.
The link was virtually terminated entirely.
And I knew it as well.
The second she had turned away from me; I had sensed the link that previously tied us to disintegrate into nothing.
Restless, furious, my wolf hissed inside me.
I ought to have been glad. Was not this what I had wanted?
Why then did it seem as though I was losing something I could never recover?
I looked up a light knock at the door.
Elara entered and her emerald eyes narrowed. "You saw her, did you not?"
I did not reply.
She stepped forward, her words cutting. Sebastian, pay close attention to me. Now she is nothing. You decided upon this. You went with me.
I closed my mouth tightly. I was not really sure at first.
Elara laughed dismissively. "You still find her on top of mind?
I let out a hard cough. "She is changed."
Elara closed her arms. "So what?" She still is the same weak, useless person.
Before I could stop a growl tore from my chest. She is not feeble.
Elara stopped and widened her eyes.
I had never before defended Zaia. Not like this.
But now, seeing her standing next to Kai and the way she had looked at me like I was nothing more than a stranger—I realised what I should have known long ago.
Zaia never gave in.
I had only been too blind to notice her fortitude.
And then?
She currently belonged to another pack.
Possibly even the arms of someone else.
Inside my chest rumbled a snarl.
This wasn't done.
Not quite likely.