ZAIA. It’s the truth, and the moment those words leave my lips, I know it has always been the case no matter what.
He’s shocked as he stares at me. For someone who has been so shamelessly flirting with me, you would think he wouldn’t have been so surprised.
But right now, he deserves a little praise. He protected me. He took the blame when I was at fault too, for our separation. I kept them away from him, yet he didn’t let it come onto me. How can you not love that sexy confidence and dominance he exudes?
“Thank you,” I say quietly. I’m not sure if he knows what I am thanking him for, but I don’t mind. I’ll thank him again when we have a moment alone.
I look away, very aware of his arm around me. I close my eyes, cherishing this moment. It feels complete, this family of ours. I want this… somehow; I want it forever. This feels so perfect.
“It does.” He murmurs.
I freeze, as I look up at him sharply before I turn away. I… Did I say that out loud? I shake my head to clear my mind and turn back to him, only to end up inches away from his face. His gaze dips to my lips and I swallow slowly.
“They’re going to kiss,” Sia whispers as she leans closer to Zion, making me move back, flushing.
“No, we aren’t!” I say, jerking back as they burst into giggles. “Now, how about you both go play?” I suggest, trying to pull them away from their silly thoughts as Sebastian sits there, clearly finding it all amusing as he smirks away.
“So Mommy can kiss Daddy?” Sia asks. “Yucky,” Zion adds before laughing again. “No, so Daddy can rest,” I say, daring not to look at the man in question.
“But I want to stay with Daddy,” Sia says, pouting adoringly at Sebastian, who returns her expression with a smile.
“You can stay,” he answers. Hmm, seems like she will have him wrapped around her finger very soon, or … maybe she already does…
“Why do we have to go?” Zion questions unhappily. “Because your dad is still a little hurt. He needs to get some rest.” I explain as I stand up, very aware of Sebastian’s gaze raking up my legs.
I’m wearing a pencil skirt, with a tucked -in silk Cami, but the way his eyes are drinking me up is as if I’m naked.
“Oh no, how did Daddy get hurt? We look after Daddy.” Sia says as she touches Sebastian’s cheek. His gaze softens, and I see the concern in his eyes. I’m sure he’s picked up on her heart rate.
He kisses her forehead, cupping her cheeks for a moment before brushing her nose with his own. “I’ll get better. I just need to be a little more careful with what I’m doing,” he reassures her quietly.
I don’t know what it is, but seeing him talking to them, and just falling into that role he was always meant to fulfil,is making me feel all warm and cosy inside.
Goddess, what is this feeling?
“Come on, let Daddy rest,” I say gently. As I lift Sia up, she looks unsure. “But what if Daddy is gone?” she whispers, making my heart squeeze. Oh, my baby.
“He won’t go, I promise you,” I say gently. She’s about to reply when the sound of shouting reaches my ears and I frown.
Women’s voices…
“Zion!” I say as he rushes to the window.
Is that my Mom shouting?
“Oh, no Mommy! It’s the troll!” Zion says, staring wide-eyed at me. My eyes widen, and I know exactly who he means. Sebastian looks at me questioningly, and I sigh.
“Annette,” I say quietly. He frowns before understanding seems to dawn on him. “Your father’s woman.” He says.
“Yes, I need to handle this. You two stay with your daddy, ok?” “Ok, Mommy!” Sia says happily as she settles down on Sebastian’s thigh once again.
“Oh, boy…” Zion says, sounding adorable, shaking his head as he continues to look outside. I turn and leave the room making my way outside as fast as possible.
The front door is open, and Mom is standing there, blocking Annette’s path as she tries to get past her. Why was she allowed onto the premises?
“You aren’t welcome here!” Mom snarls. “Step aside Melanie! This is between Zaia and I! I refuse to talk to a conniving woman like yourself!”
“What is it?” I ask, looking at the guards, as she is the Luna of the pack. They seem to be unsure what to do, but she had still disobeyed orders. My eyes flash and I don’t hold back my aura.
“First of all, you will lower your voice,” I say coldly to her before I cast the guards a look. “The Alpha has given clear rules that on these premises me and my mother are in charge. If my mother is saying this woman needs to be gone, Luna or not, she should be removed!” I snap, making a couple of them flinch.
Annette gasps and even Mom looks shocked, but I have had enough. “Sorry, Alpha Zaia.” One of the guards says, stepping forward. I raise my hand, stopping him in his tracks, my eyes blazing.
“A little too late for that,” I say coldly. ” I will deal with that issue later.” What worries me is if they simply allowed her onto the premises of our house. Who knows what else they allow her to do?
I scan them sharply, my blood boiling. I know how this woman triggers Mom after what happened last night. This is the last thing Mom needs.
My heart is thundering as she stands there smirking. “I am still Luna of this pack, Zaia, and you are on my land. I am tolerating this woman.”
“The first Luna! The Luna of the Alpha you stole! She was once Luna of this pack and don’t forget she is the mother of your future Alpha!” I snap. My chest is heaving as I glare at Annette. “What do you want?”
“You-you can’t speak to me like that!” She splutters. “Oh, can I not? Then shall I call my father instead?” I snarl.
After last night, I am unable to hold myself back. The scene she had tried creating, the drama was all uncalled for, she and her daughter have been nothing more than thorns in my side!
“There’s no need. This is between us women, or is it that you cannot stand your ground, Zaia?” She retorts.
I cock a brow. “Or is it that you know that he will be angry? I hope for the sake of all the guards here that he won’t be because otherwise, some might just be getting into a lot of trouble.”
A few of the guards, both those who are stationed around us and those who accompanied her, appear worried and I glare coldly back at them.
“Don’t deviate from the conversation, you two have been filling the Alpha’s ears with goddess knows what! So much so that he has begun treating us harshly. That woman is a homewrecker!” Annette shrieks, pointing at Mom.
Mom’s face flushes angrily, and she opens her mouth. “Mom, go inside. Now. Please” I say. My own emotions are getting the better of me and I know it’s upsetting Mom even more so. “No! And look! The pot is calling the kettle black! You stole my man from me, remember?” Mom snaps.
“My daughter is pregnant with Sebastian King’s child, yet I hear that he is here with you! You left him years ago, now that she’s carrying his baby, you are trying to steal him-”
“ENOUGH!” My voice rings through the air. My eyes blaze orange, and my voice is deeper, almost a growl as I glare at the woman before me.
I can feel my simmering aura swirl around me. A few gasps and murmurs spread through those present, and even Annette steps back, her heart thumping. Yes, it’s not a full moon, yes I am letting my wolf unleash her rage.
“You… you’re a monster…”
“No, you are. How dare you come to my house and threaten my mother! Then continue to spew baseless accusations and, above all, disrespect us? You are the home wrecker here. You are the one who came between my parents, and you are the one who raised an equally disgusting daughter!” With each sentence I speak, I take a step towards her, forcing her backwards.
I know I’m being harsh, knowing it takes two hands to clap. Dad is not innocent in this, yet how dare she come and attack my mother like this?
“As for Sebastian, he is not the father of your pathetic daughter’s child! So please, do go and ask your daughter how many men she has been spreading her legs for!” I hiss, glaring at my stepmother. 3
“You… How dare you! You will this, Zaia! You will-” pay for this, Zaia! You will-”
“Enough.” The deadly growl from behind me makes my heart skip a beat and I can feel his aura, recognising him as I hear his footsteps approach.
I turn, worried for him, but the way he’s walking you can’t tell that he’s in pain, save his pale face.
“I have not touched your daughter. As for her accusations, let her know that Sebastian King will be taking her to court for defamation.” He says coldly. His hand goes to my lower back for a moment before his eyes flicker dangerously. “Also… as she is still a member of my pack, let Annalise Toussaint know that two days from now she is to report to the Dark Hollow Falls Pack Hall at 9 am sharp to be questioned by myself. That is an order.”
Her face pales. It’s obvious this visit didn’t go as she wanted. “No, she’s pregnant, she will stay-”
“Do not defy me, Luna Annette, because rest assured you do not want the wrath of me and my pack against you. Now leave.” Sebastian warns, his eyes glimmering dangerously. “Or does the future Alpha of this pack have to have you thrown out?” He looks at me and gives me a small, sexy smirk. “I do apologise for stepping in when you were handling the situation so perfectly. I just get a little mad when someone disrespects the mother of my children.”
My stomach does a flip and once again I’m reminded why I fell so hard for him in the first place, despite him being my mate.
Goddess, this man knows how to melt my heart.
