Chapter 7: Protect at all costs

Zyra's pov

“I don't want to see you near that man anymore, Ronan.”

“Mummy but why?” He whined.

“He's ruthless, you don't want to be around him.”

“But whenever I am around him I feel happy, I wish he were my father.” He pouted his lips.

Wherever he does that, it brings me to my knees.

I had the cutest son in the world, my own gift from the moon goddess.

My chest tightened, could his pup be awakening, could it be perceiving Roland as his father?

No, that's too soon.

But he might be an early bloomer. 

I pushed the thought aside, it was possible he didn't even have a wolf like me.

“You not having a father does not make you incomplete, you have me, Nana, and Papa,” I assured him, ruffling his hair a bit.

"But Papa is sick, I am scared I might lose him too and then I would be completely fatherless.”

“Don't be scared, Papa will still be here with us for a long while.”

“Promise?”

“I Pinky promise,” I held out my little finger to him.

He hugged me tight, “I love you, mum.”

“I love you more.”

After I put him to bed and ensured Nana was no longer crying and was sound asleep.

I grabbed my coat and sent Andrew a text that I wanted to see him.

He requested we meet back at the office, it was way past working hours but that was still the best option for us.

When I entered the shop the light was still on, it didn't even look like he was closing soon.

He was probably waiting for some supplies.

“Andrew, I need your help.” I breathed out, folding my hands together to prevent him from seeing them tremble.

“Whatever it is, Zyra, I am willing to help.” His lips quivered a bit as he forced a smile.

“I will need an extra job, or something I can do on the side to meet up with bills.”

“How much do you need?”

“It's a little bit over $250K.”

“I will give it to you.”

“No, I don't want your help that way, I could never take such an amount from you.”

“I would loan it to you, at least until you can come up with such an amount.”

I shook my head, "No, that's too much.”

“No it's not, you know I would do anything to keep you and Ronan happy.”

“I would pay you back in no time, I would take on extra shirts and get an extra job as well.”

Andrew nodded, avoiding my gaze.

“Thank you so much for everything, I'm really grateful. “You are the only one in the city I can call a friend.”

“Don't mention it.” He added quickly.

He kept on looking over his shoulder.

“Are you expecting someone?”

“No I am not.”

“It's already quite late, do you need help closing the store?”

“Actually, there's no need for that, you can go ahead and rest–.” 

He stopped talking when Roland came out from the back, he and his beta.

They had some large crates stacked with God knows what.

A frown formed between my brows.

Five whole years without setting my eyes on him, and now I get to see him twice in less than 24 hours.

I scoffed.

“Zyra.” He breathed.

His scent immediately hit my nostrils, he still smelled like rich leather and cedar wood trees.

I remembered that scent perfectly, from those nights years ago when I cleaned his rooms to the days I was privileged to even be in his presence.

“Alpha.”

“You don’t have to call me that.”

“Why? Isn't that your role?”

“Not here it isn't."

“Then why are you here?”

“It’s not your concern.”

“Then tell me, are you stalking me or hunting me?”

He scoffed.

“Right, you won’t be caught dead in the same space as me right?”

“Is that what you think?”

“It’s what I know.”

“If anyone is keeping away from each other it would be you.”

“Why would I hide from you?”

“It’s not about you hiding from me, it’s what you are keeping hidden.”

I staggered a bit.

Could he have found out? 

He held my gaze longer almost like he was searching for the truth in my eyes. 

“I am not hiding anything from you and my life is not your business,”

“It used to be,  like you said ‘your Alpha’,” His gaze burned a hole through me, pinning me to the wall.

“I believe you lost that right five years ago.”

“Did I ?” He raised the corner of his lips in a mischievous smirk.

"I am no longer a member of the Riverrun pack, so yes you did.”

“And who gave you the right to decide that?”

“I didn't decide to leave the pack, What are you saying?”

“A confused look passed across his features as he raised his eyebrows in question.

It was probably in my head, I had a long day.

We stood in an uncomfortable silence, staring daggers at each other, Christopher cleared his throat jolting both of us out of our bubble.

“Goodbye Zyra.” Roland finally spoke.

His tone gave the vibe that it wasn't the last time we would be seeing each other. 

A small part of me hoped it wasn't, but a really large part prayed we never crossed paths again, for Ronan's sake.

Christopher loaded the crates, and Hey both left.

Just before Roland got into the car, he turned towards me, and my breath hitched.

His eyes glowed with speckles of gold in them, but they vanished as quickly as they had appeared.

Then he left.

Something deep stirred in me, I couldn't exactly place it but heaviness sat deep in my chest as his car drove away.

 “Ouch!” I muttered beneath my breath, gripping my shoulder.

The exact spot he had marked me five years ago burned hot.

“It can't be,” I whispered to myself.

I ran to the bathroom and pulled down the strap of my dress to take a look in the mirror.

There it was, the mark had reappeared.