Unspoken Wounds: The Regret

Vulvan.

Flashback

The night Susan called, I had been buried in some work, sifting through reports on Savik’s movements. Dax sat across from me, arms folded, waiting for my decision on our next steps. Then my phone rang.

Susan, this was the third time she was calling. She kept calling with different numbers.I considered ignoring it. I didn’t.

I answered, voice clipped. “What do you want, Susan?”

She sighed dramatically. “Is that how you talk to an old friend?”I wasn’t in the mood for games. “I don’t have time for this. Say what you need to say.”

She got to the point. “I need a place to stay. My home is flooded.”

I leaned back in my chair, already shaking my head. “Try a hotel.”

“Hotels aren’t homely,” she said smoothly. “And I’d hate to think you’d leave an old friend like me stranded.”

I exhaled sharply. “I don’t owe you anything.”

“But I thought we were close, Vulvan,” she purred. “Besides, I could be useful. You know how well I keep secrets, and—”

“Enough.” I caught her off hearing her seductive tone from the other line.

Silence stretched over the line.

I should have refused her outright.

But she knew how to get under my skin.

And maybe—just maybe—I didn’t want her too far away. Not because I cared. But because I needed to keep an eye on her, she seemed to be forming some alliance with the Edwoods these days.

“One week,” I finally said. “That’s all you get.”

Her laughter was light, triumphant. “You won’t regret it.”

I already did.

Flashback Ends

Now, here she was, stirring up trouble at my breakfast table.

Susan knew exactly what she was doing.

And Zara—she wasn’t giving her the reaction she wanted.Not yet.

Susan’s words were calculated. Sharp. Directed straight at her."I heard about you, Zara. Back in Edwood, right? You were weak, weren’t you? Everyone treated you badly. That must have been hard."I felt the shift immediately.

Zara’s shoulders stiffened.

Dax shot me a look, waiting for my response.I gripped my fork, debating whether to shut Susan down.

But I didn’t.

I set my fork down instead and stood up, walking away without a word.It wasn’t because I didn’t care.

If I had reacted—if I had stepped in—Susan would have won.She would have seen exactly where my weaknesses lay.And I refused to give her that satisfaction.

Hours passed, but I couldn’t concentrate.I wonnderd what Zara might be doing now.Her reaction. The way she walked away, trying to hide the hurt in her eyes.I leaned back in my chair, fingers pressed against my temple.

What the hell was wrong with me?Dax walked in, holding a report, but his expression made me pause.

I frowned. “What?”

“Zara got hurt,” he said simply.Something inside me went cold.

I pushed my chair back. “Where is she?”Dax didn’t look surprised at my urgency. “Kitchen.”

I was already moving.

---

i went straight to the kitchen but was only met with Erica sweeping the broken glass on the floor. then i went to her room and found her trying—and failing—to wrap her own hand.

Blood stained her fingers, dripping onto the counter.

I didn’t think.I stepped forward and grabbed her wrist.She startled, eyes snapping to mine.For a brief moment, neither of us spoke.Then she scowled, trying to pull away. “I don’t need your help.”

“Stop being stubborn.”

I took the bandage from her, my grip firm, but careful. She didn’t fight me this time.I wrapped the bandage around her wound, and when I applied antiseptic, she sucked in a sharp breath—then grabbed my shoulder.

I froze.

Her grip was small. Warm.I exhaled. Then, without thinking—I blew gently on the wound.

Zara stiffened.

I felt her pulse quicken under my fingertips.Something dangerous stirred in my chest.I wanted to keep touching her.I wanted to say something that I shouldn’t.

So, instead, I kept my voice neutral. “Just give it time. It’ll heal.”She scoffed and pulled away. “Why don’t you go care for your mistress? She needs it more.”

My jaw tightened.I knew what she wanted me to say.She wanted me to tell her Susan meant nothing. That she wasn’t my mistress.But I didn’t give her that reassurance.

Instead, I smirked slightly. “Why? Are you jealous?”

She let out a cold laugh. “I don’t care who she is to you.”I tilted my head, studying her. “Then why do you sound like you do?”Her nostrils flared slightly. “Don’t flatter yourself.”

I should have let it go.

I didn’t.

I wanted more of a reaction.I wanted to see the emotions she was desperately trying to hide.So I said something cruel.Something I knew would cut deep.“Yeah? Maybe Susan is my mistress.”

The moment the words left my mouth, I regretted them.I saw the flicker of pain in her eyes before she masked it.I felt something sharp twist in my chest.But I didn’t take it back.

She stared at me, lips parting slightly.Then, quietly, she whispered, “I hate you, Vulvan Reagen. I hate you so much.”The words stung more than they should have.

I swallowed hard. “I wish I could say the same.” My voice was lower, rougher. “But I have more than just hate for you.”

I stormed into Susan’s room, my wolf raging beneath my skin. She was dabbing fake tears with a handkerchief, but the moment she saw me, she sobbed louder, pretending not to notice me.

“Oh, Vulvan, look at what Za—”

I slammed her against the wall. Hard.

She gasped, fear flashing in her eyes. She had never seen me this angry.

“How fucking dare you put your filthy hands on the Luna—my Luna,” I growled, gripping her wrist. My body vibrated with barely restrained rage.

She scoffed, then slowly changed her expression. Her fingers slid up my arm, her voice turning soft, seductive. “You don’t even love her,” she whispered, pressing closer. “I still love you, Vulvan. I miss us. She doesn’t deserve you. Can’t you see that?”

Disgust curled in my gut. I yanked my arm away. “You’re pathetic,” I spat. “Manipulative, selfish—a mistake I regret ever knowing.”

Her face twisted in shock, but I wasn’t done. “You have three days. Pack your things and get out. And if you ever touch Zara again…” I leaned in, voice deadly. “Consider yourself crippled. Are we clear?”

"You can't do this to me, vulvna, please, I can't leave without you, I'm sorry..... . she held my collar. My life has been miserable since the day you left me. The mate bond doesn't have an effect on you. Please, Vulvan, " I yanked her hand away from my collar.

"Three days, Susan, three days, I'm sure you still remember how i can be when I'm disobeyed?". the fear i wanted in her rose as she looked me in the eyes. she had awaken that beast she once knew. Her frantic nod was all I needed.

I left, ignoring the sound of things crashing inside her room.

I couldn’t care less.Then I turned and walked away.