Chapter 18
My heart sank again as Zara from the past finally heard the words she had been dreaming of.
“A few more steps,” Nova muttered, and I silently agreed with her.
“What’s done is done, Marcus.” I snapped: “You found your mate, now get lost p>
He shook his head: “She means nothing to me. It was always you, Zara. I loved you from the beginning, and even now I can’t get you out of my head p>
“What kind of game is he playing?” Nova growled, desperately trying to sink her teeth into the flesh.
I lost the iron grip I had on Nova for just a split second. A ferocious growl, full of rage, left my mouth. Nova was warning Marcus: Stay where you are, and you will not die.
He stopped immediately, caution filling his blue eyes.
“I came back for you, Zara.” His voice was soft and dripping with honesty.
His honesty changed nothing. Even if I wanted to forgive him, Nova would never allow it. He abandoned his entire pack, leaving them all to die. My mother died because of a pathetic Alpha who swore to protect her.
“I had no choice, Zara.” His blue eyes darted around frantically. “I had to go. You would have understood if you had just come with me p>
“Come with you?” Nova growled. “Never in a million years p>
“My mother died, you know,” I pointed out, reading the emotion in his eyes.
Surprise, then guilt, flashed across his eyes.
“Paint me surprised, he’s feeling bad,” Nova smirked incredulously.
I shook my head, “I don’t know what to think. All I know is that there’s no way in hell we’re going with him p>
“I didn’t know that, Zara.” He shook his head, “I swear p>
“What the hell happened, Marcus?” I snapped, “You left everyone to die p>
He shook his head furiously, “That wasn’t my intention, I swear. Kane said he’d let me live if I abandoned the pack p>
“Alpha Kane would have let another Alpha escape.” Nova hissed, “No Alpha would have p>
I gritted my teeth. His eyes were sincere, but something was wrong.
Why would Alpha Kane make such a deal? Rumors about Kane paint him as a ruthless Alpha who is quick to hand out death sentences. Why would he let another Alpha escape?
“I don’t trust him,” Nova growled.
“Neither do I, but you have to admit, he’s convincing.” I frowned.
Nova shook her head. “Anyone can lie p>
“Why should I trust you, Marcus?” I looked at him. “You’ve done nothing to earn my trust p>
“I already had your trust. I can earn it again.” Marcus frowned, but I didn’t hear him.
“Leave Marcus alone.” I snapped, my eyes hardening as I looked at him. “Run before I call the others p>
“It shouldn’t be too hard for him. He’s better at running away than leading a pack.” Nova giggled.
The sincerity and honesty that once filled his ocean eyes were gone, quickly replaced by a hard and almost mocking expression.
“I just wanted to give you a fighting chance, Marcus.” His voice was hard and cold.
I felt my body tense at his words, and a look of a small smile appeared.
“What do you mean?” I asked sharply. Something about his expression made the hairs on my neck stand on end.
His small smile widened, a full-blown grin spreading across his face. It wasn’t filled with playful intent; it was full of secrets.
“You didn’t think I’d just let Kane steal my pack, did you?” He chuckled, crossing his arms over his chest.
I rolled my eyes at him. “Every pack within a five-hundred-mile radius hates you, Marcus. You can’t bring back a pack the size of Kane on your own p>
His smirk widened into a grin, and he flashed me his white teeth. “Oh, I’m not alone. I’ve made new friends. The last thing your new little Alpha would expect p>
“New friends?” Nova seemed confused. “No pack would dare fight Alpha Kane p>
Something about his words made me tense, and everything in me wanted to run straight to Kane.
“Go. Tell your Alpha what little you know. It won’t change anything.” Marcus teased, taking a few steps back until he began to blend into the forest.
“Good luck, Marcus.” I snapped, turning around. “You’ll need it p>
I didn’t want Marcus to see my worry or my fear. A year away from him suited me very well.
“Did you like the notes, Zara?” His words made me hesitate, turning my back on my first love. “My friend was dying to meet you. He just couldn’t help himself p>
My hesitation lasted only a split second before I calmly walked into the forest, his laughter echoing in my head.
The absolute last thing I wanted to do was run to Alpha Kane, especially after what happened in the office.
I had no excuse to be at the bathhouse again, and I was equally terrified and excited for his reaction.
I walked back to headquarters, my stomach in turmoil and cramps.
“I wonder who his friend is,” Nova asked, sending a flood of thoughts through my head.
I winced at her words. “Whoever it is, they don’t seem like our friend p>
“But why leave us notes?” Nova shook her head. “That doesn’t add up p>
“Maybe his friend just likes to play with people.” I shrugged. “Marcus does p>
And that’s how the fifteen-minute walk to headquarters went. Nova and I traded theories and questions, neither of us coming to any conclusions.