جميع فصول : الفصل -الفصل 160

“Have you heard from Maya or her parents?” Marshall asked.“Maya? The runt?”“Please don’t call her that,” Zion said.He thought about that summer three years ago. Taking her hand and leading her toward the lake had been one of the stupidest things he’d ever done. Everyone in the pack had warned him that Maya was delicate, but he’d not listened. They’d stood on this very rock and jumped into the water below.He’d released her hand as they hit the water. When he broke the surface, everyone was cheering, but Maya was nowhere to be seen. He recalled the panic he’d felt as he dove into the water when Maya didn’t emerge.The pack had started to herd the people who were not part of the pack away from the scene. After his third dive down, he’d found her tangled in some weeds. Pulling her out, her parents had been waiting.“You can’t blame yourself for what happened,” Marshall said. “No one talks about it. Not even her parents.”They’d done emergency CPR and called the doctor. That time she h

Silence descended on the room. She looked at each of them, smirking.“I’m kidding. God, what happened to your sense of humor while I was away? Anyone would think that you died.”She rolled her eyes, taking a bite of the sandwich that she picked up off the tray. Minutes later her father entered the room. Something passed between her mother and father, but she didn’t know what.“Welcome home, honey.”He kissed her head like he always did before going around the counter to his woman. She watched the love passing between her parents. Would she ever have that?Her uncle believed she would. She was stronger now than she’d ever been before.“I’m just going to head up to my room. Unpack.”“Okay, honey,” Emma said.She grabbed her cases and walked out of the room.“Well, what did the alpha say?” her mother asked once Maya was out of sight.“He’s going to look into it, but he doesn’t know if there’s anything we can do. There are not many runts, and if they are, they don’t survive in a pack long

Be normal around her. She smelled amazing.“I wanted to apologize,” Zion said.“What for?”“I shouldn’t have let go of your hand, and you almost died on me.”The very thought that he had been the one to almost kill his mate scared him. He wouldn’t ever put her at risk.“Please. Will everyone stop going on about that? I’m tired of hearing about how I almost died and lost everything. I’m perfectly okay right now. Shouldn’t that matter?”He wrapped his arm around her shoulders, pulling her against him.“It’s important to me. You could have died.”“And money grows on trees. Believe it or not, almost dying was a good thing.”“How?”“I got to go and visit my Uncle Paul.”“He’s not a wolf.”“I know, but he’s been amazing to me.”He watched as she bit her lip, glancing down at the ground.“He’s taught me to accept myself.”She shrugged.“I know it’s crazy and I’ll never be a queen at fighting or anything, but I’m stronger now.”She looked stronger and happier within herself.“I’m happy for yo

“You really didn’t need to.”She made to turn away, but Zion held onto her arm.“Who were you talking to?”“That’s none of your business.”“Do you have a boyfriend?”“Again, none of your business.”She pulled out of his hold, hating how her skin seemed to heat under his touch. The last thing she wanted was to be attracted to Zion. He was the beta and would probably laugh at any attraction from the pack runt.“You better tell me or I’m going to be having a serious conversation with your father.”She picked up her shirt and glared at him.“It’s none of your business. Stay out of it. I’ve not seen you in three years, and on my second day back you’re threatening me?”“You almost died the last time you jumped off that boulder. I almost had a fucking heart attack, and I’m nearly nineteen years old.”“Then shouldn’t you be chasing after girls your own age? Why are you following me?”“I saw you escaping out of your house with a backpack. I happened to be looking out of my bedroom window when

Maya watched Zion enter the diner. He was so self-assured, so big, massive even. If she had a problem with her size, her issues would only grow bigger if she stayed beside Zion. She liked how his presence comforted her.Whoever mated with Zion was going to be very lucky.“I’m helping you,” he said, handing her back her phone.“You’re helping me?”“Yes. I’ve spoken with Paul, and we’re going to continue your training here. My parents are not always home, and we’ve got some workout equipment. You can come by my place and I’ll help you.”“I’m not looking to work in a gym.”“We’re going to strengthen your overall body. Slowly, over the summer we’re going to work on your reflexes. I’ll be joining you at your uncle’s afterward.”“How are you going to do that?” she asked, amazed at the dedication he was showing.“I’m going to talk with my dad. He’ll understand. It’s important for you to be as strong as possible.”“So you’re finally admitting there’s a risk.”He kept staring at her for severa