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~ MILENA ~“Xander, take Milena’s bags up to Zion’s room.”I look up, surprised at Zaia’s words. Zion’s room, where he’s been staying for the last seven-plus years?She smiles at me. “I don’t think he’d like me giving you any other room,” she says.“Thank you. This was really sudden. I’m sorry for imposing,” I say, looking around the grand hall.Zion trusts me enough to leave me alone with his family… but I wished the first time that I came here, that he was here with me.Something was a bit off with that call, but I’ll ask him when I can. And the fact he told Xander to give me a phone… I don’t know how to process it all.Zion’s messing with my emotions more than I want to admit.“Is everything ok?” Sia asks me as she walks towards me.“Yeah, yes… I was just thinking, it would have been nice if the first time I visited was with Zion…” I’m shocked that I admitted that out loud. She places her hand on my arm.“Hey… I know how it is, but this is the first of many visits to come. This is
~ ZION ~I turn in my chair, staring out at the bright sunlight through the windows of my office, pondering on Milena’s words.Milena’s final words on the discussion still ringing in my mind.‘If they know… then maybe I should tell them. It’s the only way they’ll trust me, and when I tell them that is what I’m going to use to defeat you, they will buy it. If I don’t tell them, they’ll become more suspicious.’I had told her I’d think about it, but I don’t trust them. She wants to find out what Milo wanted to tell me that night, and by doing so it does mean she’ll have to cross paths with them at some point.I sigh, pinching the bridge of my nose. Just then there’s a knock on the door and I look up to see it’s Roman, holding a couple of files.“I got you the files regarding the disorders in the next town with werewolves attacking the humans for no reason. It got messy,” he answers grimly.I sigh, taking the files from him and flipping through them. I frown as I look at the photographs
~ 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