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~ MILENA ~My heart is hammering as I remain still in his arms. Right now, he is at his most vulnerable. I’ve seen him like this a rare few times in the past, but never did I think he’d resort to this because I left.Those moments when all he wanted was to hold me, sometimes I wondered what worried him and now it makes me think it was probably things he just couldn’t tell me.Didn’t he make it clear he hates me? Or was that me being more vocal about my hatred? Had he really been as bad as I had? No, he hasn’t.“This bond… it’s dangerous,” I murmur. He doesn’t respond and I frown deeply; I know that a werewolf’s greatest weakness, or one could say their greatest treasure, is the mate bond. Their mate is a part of them; without them, they are crippled.Unease twists in my gut as a sudden unpleasant thought enters my mind. By any chance did the Arkan know that I’m Zion’s mate? Is that why they put me here? To confirm that? My heart thunders as several theories come into my mind. What if
~ ZION ~The meeting is almost over, and I barely made it through. Although I can scarcely think rationally, I stand my ground.“We are not going to counterattack. If something happens, we let the law enforcement handle it. This will be a rally that the media will cover. We are not going to fucking show them that we are violent.”“And if they harm our kind?” Jasper asks, frowning as he looks at Uncle Zade and Xander.“We are not going to stoop to their fucking level. We’ll make sure the area is clear of our people. And focus on keeping them away from getting caught up in it.” I grit my teeth, my eyes flashing.“Zion, you’re getting soft. What exactly do you want to do?” Cillian asks quietly.“I need a little time; I’m working on it.”“We’re a team, we work together,” Xander reminds me quietly. “If you need our help, we’re here.”“I know, but the fewer people who are in on this, the better it is for us all. But rest assured, I am going to find a solution.”“And what is your view on thi
~ ZION ~I gave her space as she wanted, but it’s killing me. Not knowing what she’s thinking or how she’s feeling. I need a distraction, one that work isn’t offering me.I frown at the email that’s just come in from Sia and frown.Sia.Fuck, I was supposed to talk to her. I told her I’ll speak to her at work, but conveniently, she’s too busy or never alone. I should talk to her, I’ve already left it for long enough.Roman is at work right now, and Sia is at home with the kids still at school. If I go now, she won’t have any excuse not to speak to me. Something gave me the impression she doesn’t want him to know anything at all, regardless of her excuse.Fifteen minutes later, I pull up at her house and ring the doorbell. A few moments later, the door is opened by Sia. She looks at me in surprise before smiling.“Zion! You’re here, what a nice surprise. Is Milena with you?”I shake my head as I wrap my arms around her, feeling a little calmer. “No, she’s not…” I admit quietly.“Oh… are
~ MILENA ~Breaking out was easier than I had predicted; being on the slim side, I was able to squeeze out of the hospital window with ease. For a moment, I had thought to leave him a note, telling him I’ll be back, but I couldn’t bring myself to. Not when my emotions are so complicated right now.What was I going to say, anyway?I’m his mate, bound to him by some kind of magic. I still can’t get over that.Once out, I managed to get to the small rented apartment I had been staying at prior and call a meeting.I lay there on my bed feeling… I don’t know, confused.Zion was never a bad person, nor did he emit weird vibes up until I saw that video, but what we see isn’t always the full story. I know this. Milo made sure I was the best at what I did, but he also told me to always observe, assess, analyse and think everything through before jumping to conclusions.It’s not the easiest thing to do, and it was something I couldn’t even think of considering when my emotions were running so hi
~ MILENA ~The moment he’s out of the room, I rip the cannula from my hand and rush to the bathroom, hitting my knee as I drop to the ground by the toilet and throw up, emptying my stomach. I feel sick from what he told me.He said that the Arkan… that they – I wretch again, but this time only a bit of water comes up.I let out a groan as I drop to the ground, leaning against the wall beside the toilet as I try not to let emotions consume me.Are we really monsters?No…No, please…Staggering to my feet, I flush the toilet and rinse my mouth and stare at my reflection, my fingers gripping the sink basin with full force as I glare at the woman staring back at me.I want to deny it all, but I have always been one to analyse things. How many reports or information did I really have about the Arkan? How do I really know what’s going on?Obey orders and don’t ask questions.That is our motto.Why not, though? Why can’t we ask questions? Why don’t we ask questions?Because that’s what we’re
~ MILENA ~I stare at him for what feels like hours, but it’s barely a few seconds as I try to digest his words. It’s already too much.First, when I heard him say that we were mates, my mind was spinning, but my body had felt so lethargic I couldn’t react despite how shocked I was. I know what mates are; I know what they mean to werewolves and the importance of it, but never in a million years would I have thought that I would be mated to a werewolf.Me – an Arkan hunter, mated to an alpha male?Life really does play sadistic tricks on us.And now this, what is he even trying to say! That he killed him to keep his cover? What cover! That he changed sides? I smell bullshit and I’m not going to believe a word of this crap!“Lies,” I snarl, sounding more animal than human, if I do say so myself; my anger is like a blade, cutting into the man in front of me.He shakes his head. “No, it isn’t a lie. Just hear me out.”“Keep talking. I’m listening.” I cross my arms, my heart thumping as I t