< Chapter 29
Chapter29
Ziana’s POV
As soon as I walk into the pack house I am met by the two men I want to try to avoid. Killian stands there with his arms crossed, while Zane is standing with his hands behind his back rocking back and forth on his feet. I look between them without saying anything.
“Where were you?” Killian grumbles.
“Um.. At the orphanage?” I answer in question. I know I told him that. I told them both that.
“All day?” Killian questions, squinting his eyes, then coming closer to sniff me. Electricity flickers across my skin as my irritation rises. I push him back, his eyes going wide as I accidentally shock him.
“Yes all day you prick. I let Marissa have time off, which she hasn’t had any in years… AND I enjoyed getting to know the kids.” I say, stomping past him.
“Ziana.” Zane calls after I walk past. I pause, the string in my chest pulls me to him, but I keep walking.
“Sh*t. Ziana. I’m sorry.” Killian rushes, following me up the stairs. He keeps calling out to me on the way up and I huff, turning around to face him. He is right behind me, making us the same height. Zane is right behind him.
“What Killian?” I snap as he almost runs into me.
“I’m sorry if I upset you. I didn’t mean it. I just. I missed you today.” He says, sheepishly. The admission stops my heart. I can feel the color drain from my face as I stare into his dark pink eyes, my heart breaks.
“It’s fine, Killian.” I say then turn around and continue up the stairs, they both follow. As I reach my door, I sigh and face them.
“Thank you for walking me to my room. Have a good night.” I smile slightly and they return it. Both bidding me goodnight before turning and walking away. I fight back tears as they walk away.
“Stupid mate bonds.” I grumble as I close the door to my bedroom.
“You okay?!” Addie chirps from behind me, forcing me to jump about 10 feet in the air. I turn and place a hand on my heart.
“Goddess you scared me Addie.” I gasp and she laughs. “What are you doing here? You should be spending time with Kai.” I say wiggling my eyebrows at her and she slaps my arm.
“Oh stop.” She blushes then turns serious.
“After the initiation, Kai showed me around the pack. This is my pack and I will do whatever it takes to keep
this pack safe. With that determination in mind, I figured it out.” She rushes out and looks around like
somebody might be listening.
“Okay. What did you come up with? I’m all ears.” I say and shuffle nervously, staring intently into her bright pink eyes.
“Well I can’t go, as you pointed out, but that doesn’t mean anybody else can’t join you just because you are in a different pack.” She says and I raise my eyebrow in question. She looks around and hands me a burner cell.
< Chapter 29
“I will drop you and Lettie off tonight and tomorrow Mark will join you. They are going to take turns traveling with you, since their schedules are almost exactly opposite. You will text me every hour from this cell phone and at 3:00 I can come get you. I will have your trails mapped out. You will need to make it to the resting point by the time I come get you, all of the stopping points are places I have been so it won’t be hard.” She
says, then hands me a map.
“Addie, what will Kai think if he finds out? Me texting you every hour won’t help with the risk of getting caught. “I say and she shakes her head.
“It will be fine. You need to find Reg–eye–na in order for the pack and… well. everybody to be safe. It’s our only
chance.” She says and I nod.
“Fine. Let me get changed.” I say making my way to the closet.
“There’s no time, just grab your vest and weapons. Kai is expecting me soon.” She says and I grumble about not having the appropriate attire, while grabbing my backpack that holds all of my weapons. She doesn’t even give me time to stand up all the way before we are standing in Lettie’s room. He jumps then smiles.
“Let’s go.” He says. I take in his all black attire and the weapons adorning him and nod. He and Mark would help me and Addie hunt sometimes. Not too frequently because they needed to be able to work. Lettie works at the hospital and Mark is a warrior. Their schedules are all over the place.
Addie grabs his arm and transports us to an open clearing. She lets go and looks at the both of us.
“Good luck. Call me if you need anything. And don’t forget to text me. If you are outside of the three minute window, I am coming to find you.” She says sternly and I nod.
“Yes, ma’am.” I answer, saluting her and she shakes her head.
“I will see you both at 3:00 a.m. Don’t be late.” She says and before we could answer she disappears. I sigh and look at Lettie, his black eyes studying me.
“What are you wearing?” He asks and I cannot be more grateful to the friend I grew up with. I could see all of the questions he wanted to ask, but didn’t. At least not yet.
“Addie didn’t give me time to change.” I respond and he huffs. I bend over and start rummaging through my bookbag, pulling out knives, holsters, and my favorite whip. After I strap those on I throw a vest on. After I am done + stand up and glance at the phone, it’s 8:33 pm. I text Addie, telling her that the hour timer started at 8:30 and I will text her within the allotted time frame. She shoots me a thumbs up and I pocket the phone. Then hold out the map she gave me. Lettie comes to stand next to me, studying the map as well.
“Looks like she gave us plenty of time to make our own path. If we were to walk straight there that would only take us 4 hours. We have 6 1⁄2.” Lettie says and I nod, then place the map in my bag.
“Let’s start heading north and we can roam around from there.” I say and he nods then begins to follow
beside me.
After a few minutes Lettie broke the silence.
“So…. How is the whole mate thing going?” He asks and I grumble under my breath.
“Oh. It’s absolutely wonderful. Just lovely.” I chirp and he laughs.
“Seriously Z. How is it going?” He asks again and I sigh.
“It’s not going. I am avoiding them as much as possible.” I answer and he looks at me sadly.
< Chapter29
“You’re mom told me what happened. Not all of it, but that they marked you to save you. I tried calling after you left, but found out quickly that you didn’t have your phone.” He explains and I nod.
“Yea, I just got it back. I’m sorry that I didn’t call. I have just been busy.” I say and he nudges my shoulder.
“Busy avoiding.” He banters and I chuckle, while shrugging my shoulders. “Seriously though, why don’t you give them a chance. Addie says they’re actually good people and want your crazy a’s.” He says, causing me
to furrow my eyebrows.
“Yea, like that will happen. What am I supposed to do just go up to them and say ‘Hey I helped Frankf*ck kidnap both of your mom’s then killed them. Oh and I was a part of the attack on your pack, killing your people too. Now that that’s aside, let’s f*ck. ?” I ask, causing him to make a strangled sound.
“Well probably don’t put it like that, but..”
“Let’s not put it like anything. There is no way I can tell them about that.” I interrupt him and he looks at me
sharply.
“Don’t you think they deserve to know what happened to their moms?” Lettie counters and my heart hurts. “Do you think it would be better for them to know that the woman who they are supposed to spend the rest of their lives with kidnapped and killed both of their moms? Or to not ever know?” I ask and he sighs, shaking
his head.
“You were 8 Ziana. They won’t blame you for it.” He says and I narrow my eyes on him.
“You can’t know for sure.” I counter.
“You’re right I can’t. But if they can’t get past the fact that you were a child who was forced to do what you did then maybe they should be miserable.” He says with a shrug of his shoulder. “Don’t you dare say that.” I sternly say and he just shrugs his shoulders again. We continue the night I silence as we keep a lookout for any signs of life.
