When she clears her throat and brushes a stray hair behind her ear, I’m finally able to form words again. She lets me help her onto a stool and waits for me to finish cooking.
I serve her breakfast, then sit next to her, letting my knee brush against hers. I resist the urge to place my hand on her thigh. “What do you say we go into the forest today? Let Lavender and Rocky play for a bit. Or did you already have plans?”
“I was just going to work on the solution in the living room,” she shrugs and takes another sip of coffee. “But it’s your birthday. If you want to go to the forest, I would be happy to join you. Lavender says she would love to go for a run, too. Do you know somewhere safe for us to go?”
“Cool. We can go once you’re ready. I have a place I like to go where I let Rocky out to blow off steam. It’s pretty isolated. We won’t get interrupted.” I can’t help but grin and lean my elbow on the counter so I can put my chin in my hand. “I’m going to dinner
Zara lets me buckle her in after I help her into the car, but takes she my hand before I’m finished. “What changed your mind?” Her question catches me off guard. I look up at her and think of the best way to answer. She looks so tired. I wish I could give her my energy. Hopefully, after I accept her, she will start feeling better. If not, I’ll search the world for a doctor that can help her. “I think it’s more that I stopped changing my mind. I stopped trying to convince myself that I'm not good enough for you or that the differences between us are reasons to not be with you. Thinking about you leaving, not being able to talk to you or spend time with you, no more notes on the kitchen counter, spending my nights watching cartoons, or making sure I stock the fridge with apple juice instead of beer.” I shake my head resolutely and kiss her hand between my words. “I would be stupid to miss out on sharing my life with you, Zara. The more I get to know you, the more I see
****TRIGGER WARNING****The next four chapters depict ATTEMPTED SUICIDE, DRUG OVERDOSE, and STALKING.*****************************“Keller. Wake up. Blood. Our mate is hurt,” Rocky rouses me out of a deep sleep. I open my eyes groggily and look at the clock. Four seventeen a.m. It feels like a hammer is pounding on my head when I sit up.“Holy shit.” I try to open my eyes wider, but I can’t manage it. “What happened Rocky?”“Jensen drugged you. I don’t remember after that.” His voice sounds agitated. “It doesn’t matter. Our mate needs us.”“What are you talking about?” I yawn, but when I inhale, the distinct metallic scent wakes me up immediately. I look around at the three women passed out in the bed with me.
“ZARA?!” I call out, panicking and sniffing the air for her rose and chamomile scent. I follow my nose to the bathroom. “Zara?” I crack the door open and peek in. I see her curled up next to the toilet. She looks clammy and her eyes are closed, her head is resting against the toilet seat. When she opens her eyes, she tries to look at me, but the movement upsets her stomach. She turns and vomits into the bowl. Well, mostly into the bowl. The smell of apple juice and a faint familiar sweet tang mixes with the pungent bile from her stomach. Oh fuck. This can’t be happening. I look at my watch. It’s four forty-five a.m. If she’s vomiting now, that means she took the drug before she cut herself. She must have mixed in it with the juice. “No no no no no, Zara, no no no…” I run over and kneel next to her, taking her face in my hands. Her head is heavy and her eyes try to roll back, but she’s fighting to keep looking at me. I use my sleeve to wipe
“That should do it,” Estelle says, putting the last of her supplies in her bag. “She needs help, Keller. Like, from a professional. Not a dog doctor.” “She wants to be a scientist.” I sit on the edge of the bed and hold Zara’s hand while I watch her sleep. “What?” I hear Estelle say. “A biochemist. I don’t even know what the fuck a biochemist does, Estelle. But my living room is full of papers and whiteboards with a problem she is trying to find a solution for. She was her class valedictorian. She has a full scholarship to college, and she wants to quit because of me.” I take a deep breath to push down the lump of tears in my throat. “I thought you were joking when you said she was your mate… or you were obsessed with her because of the pheromone or something. But you’re serious. Aren’t you?” She stands by my side and crosses her arms over her body. “You said she is a sigma. Keller, we both know sigmas aren’t smart and they certainly don’t have mates.
“Zara, what are you doing out of bed?” I put her phone in my pocket and rush to her. “Why were you looking at my phone?” Her voice still sounds small, but the color is back in her face. “Come on, Zara. Let’s get you back to bed. I don’t know how you are even awake right now, but you need to rest.” I turn her by her shoulders, but she stops me. When she tries to turn back around, she wobbles on her feet and grips the doorway. I catch her by the waist and support her. “No, wait, what were you doing with my phone?” She persists, trying to push my hands off of her. She is still weak, but determined. “No arguments. Back to bed.” I pick her up and carry her. To be honest, I don’t even know how to explain how upset I am about what I just saw without lashing out at her. Thankfully, she doesn’t fight me and lets me carry her back to her bed. “Keller, tell me.” She sits up straight in the bed and looks at me. Her face is full of concern. “What were you
Waking up with Zara in my arms just feels right. I kiss her forehead and nuzzle my nose into her hair, taking in her rose and chamomile scent. It is so much stronger now than it was yesterday. I close my eyes and listen to her slow, rhythmic breathing, grateful that she is still alive and laying next to me. She and I still have a lot to talk about from last night, but she’s here. That’s a start. The Goddess heard my prayers. I breathe a contented sigh while running my fingertips lazily over the arm she has draped over my chest, focusing on the flow of our mate bond. Why was I fighting this? Why did it take our blood mixing for me to feel it? It doesn’t matter. The important thing is that I have her now and I will do everything in my power to keep her safe for the rest of our lives. I adjust my position when I hear her yawn with a little snarl. I bring her closer to my body and stroke her soft hair. “How do you feel, Pocket?” “My head hurts.” She p
Zara’s POV “How about some eggs with your bagel, Pocket? If Lavender is feeling stronger, you’re going to need more calories to keep up with her.” Keller helps me on the barstool and prepares my breakfast. “Um, okay. Maybe just two eggs, though. I don’t want to upset my stomach.” I feel my mouth twist into a smile when he looks at me happily. Before he goes to his office to call Mike the lawyer, he takes my face in his hands and gives me the sweetest kiss. “Hopefully, this won’t take long. I’ll let you know if we need you.” “Okay, I’ll keep myself busy in the living room when I’m done eating.” I pick up half of the bagel and nibble on the edge. I let my legs swing on the bar stool below me until Keller shuts the office door. As soon as it’s closed, I crawl off the barstool and open the trash can to throw the food away. I’m not hungry. I told Keller that I’m ready to move forward. But am I ready to move forward with him? Can I trust what he told me
Keller’s POV “Keller, this is the literal silver bullet. Is your girl going to be able to sit in front of the pack now?” Mike is more excited about the information Zara and me sent than I thought he would be. “Mike, you should have seen the look on her face. The harassment by these assholes has taken a serious toll on her.” I think back to Zara scrolling through her phone with a frown on her face. “It’s more than just isolated incidents, Keller. They are bullying her. Alpha Williams probably doesn’t give a shit, but the Regents will. They have to.” He says with an air of confidence. “I’ll try to-” Before he can finish, a loud crashing sound shakes the penthouse, making me jump. “What the…?” “Hold on, Mike. Something just happened.” I take the phone off of speaker mode and run out of the room. When I leave the office, I see the door to the dining room open. I can smell Zara’s scent coming from inside. “Oh shit, no