ZAIA. Annette’s face pales as she glares at Sebastian. “Lies. Complete lies. My daughter is pregnant with your child, Alpha!” Her voice is shaking, but I look at her sharply. Does she really believe that?
Sebastian looks at her unphased and cocks a brow. “You should really tell your daughter she needs to stop lying. Now leave. If you wish to speak to me, you may join her in two days.” He dismissively. says
I look at the guards, my eyes glimmering, and I know my wolf has surfaced again by the fear and nervousness in the eyes of the guards. ” Escort her out.”
“Yes, Alpha.” One of them replies, bowing his head to me before he motions for the men who had come 60 A Mother’s Displeasure with her to take her out.
“And one more thing… I want the eight of you to report to the pack house at eight tonight. I will talk to you all there.” I say quietly.
A tense wave of unease surrounds us, and I cross my arms. “Yes, Alpha.” They murmur in unison. “My men will be on duty,” Annette says, her voice shaking with rage.
“Someone else will have to cover, no excuses,” I say before I turn away. My eyes meet Sebastian’s, who is smirking, but there’s that sexy glint in his eyes that makes me giddy.
He watches as Annette leaves and I’m about to walk back inside when he grabs my upper arm and pulls me back, looking down at me.
I poke my eyes out questioningly at him, refusing to be the first to look away as I gaze into his gorgeous piercing eyes that are devouring me with ease.
“Why is it so damn sexy to se go all Alpha mode on those assholes!” He murmurs, “It’s so damn sexy seeing you act so dominant.”
Oh, he’s such a charmer. I cock a brow, tossing my hair back. “I never knew Don’t tell me you like being submissive?” I whisper back tauntingly. you liked a woman to be dominant. It doesn’t phase him, and he smirks. “
Don’t get too ahead of yourself sweetheart, a woman who doesn’t bow down to a man is all the more satisfying to win over.” I roll my eyes. “Mhmm, your sweet- talking won’t work on me,” I whisper, but I don’t sound so confident.
He scans the now-empty garden before leaning closer, his lips grazing my ear. ” Are you sure about that? Because I’m certain if I slip my fingers between your sexy thighs, they might just be soaking wet.” a
My cheeks burn, my core clenching and I realise once again he’s won this round. 1 glare up at him, pulling free. “You wish,” I say haughtily before I head back inside.
He chuckles as he follows, and I come to a stop, seeing Jai leaning against the door frame, grinning with amusement. “Check you two out. Seems like the both of you are turning up the heat.”
“Nothing of the sort,” I say, walking past him. “Obviously we are.” Sebastian’s cocky reply comes from behind me. “What is going on?” Mom asks. She’s standing there tight-lipped, and I can tell she’s visibly upset.
I walk over to her and touch her shoulders. “Nothing we can’t handle. Something happened last night. I need to talk to Dad and ask what is g on.”
“She said her daughter is pregnant.” Mom whispers, looking at Sebastian suspiciously.
My heart squeezes, and a sudden thought niggles in my mind. Mom has always been negative and distrusting of Sebastian…. Did it subconsciously become the reason I never pushed for answers back then? I did distance. myself from Mom, and rarely visited because it was always negative when I did…
I shake my head, pushing the thought away; no, that was my fault. I can’t pin the blame on anyone else. “Mom, please, Sebastian is on our side, please accept it if not for him, then for me and the children. Please stop this.” I whisper to her.
She looks hurt before she turns away. ” I just pray that Annalise is indeed lying” She whispers. “I don’t want you hurt again.”
I want to say more, but the boys are right there and I’m unable to bring myself to say anything, so I remain silent. I will have a talk with her when we are alone. “I won’t get hurt,” I say quietly.
I glance at Sebastian and although he’s talking quietly to Jai, there’s a frown on his face. I’m certain he’s heard everything.
I look down, suddenly feeling down. He was never accepted by this family either …Mom and Dad both felt I was too good for him…
I smile softly, “Excuse me.” I say. I turn away from Mom and go to find the children before Mom can stop me. I hear the sound of their gigglind spot them in Sebastian’s room.
“Mommy! Has the troll gone?” Zion asks as he looks up from where he’s jumping on Sebastian’s bed.
Tilting my head, I go over to him and lift him onto the floor. “What have I said about jumping on the bed?”
“Daddy said we can do anything we want but to stay away from the window,” Zion says with a shrug.
My heart warms at that. Smart move, Bastian. “Oh, did he? But we know that jumping is naughty.” I say tickling him. He cackles as he runs away and I look at Sia, concern flooding me.
She looks tired as she sits on the corner of the bed. She’s definitely overexerted herself today. I pick her up, listening to her heartbeat before I stand up.
“I think it’s time Sia had her and gets some rest. Do you want to come with us, Zion?” I ask. He looks at Sia, hesitating before he stands up and I can’t help but smile.
He’ll always come to join Sia when she’s having downtime, although it’s extremely hard for him to stay in one place.
“We should tell Daddy, Sia needs downtime.” He says sombrely. “We will,” I say, holding my hand out to him as I carry Sia, making our way down the hall to their room.
It’s a short while later and Sia has fallen asleep, her heartbeat a little steadier, and Zion is building
something out of Legos on the floor. I caress her hair, pondering over everything.
If I move back, Mom will come with me, albeit perhaps unhappily. Would the children be happy and safe t Sia’s health isn’t good, and I don’t want her to experience any distress or to overexert herself.
There’s a light knock on the door, and I look up to see Sebastian standing with his arms crossed.
“Daddy!” Zion jumps up and Sebastian places a finger to his lips as he crouches down, opening his arms to Zion, who runs over.
“Careful,” I say, knowing he’s tired. “I’m good.” He says as he walks over to Zion’s bed and sits down on it. “Sia’s asleep!” Zion whispers loudly, pointing at our little princess.
“Then we better not make any sounds,” Sebastian says, ruffling his hair as he slowly lies back on the bed.
1 hear him suppress a grunt, as b back and Zion happily lies down him, putting his arms behind his head as he imitates Sebastian, making both Sebastian and I smile.
Sebastian has one arm under his head, with the other he runs his fingers through Zion’s hair slowly, and I can see he’s already drifting off into a deep slumber. Neither of us speaks until Zion’s eyes shut and his breathing becomes heavier as he falls asleep.
“You’re upset.” I look up at him. It is not a question but a statement. Our eyes meet, but I can’t read him. I sigh softly, running my fingers through my hair
“I told your parents we’re together and we’ll be returning soon…. I told my father I’ll still head this pack, that I’ll make it work and it’s an act… although he doesn’t think I’ll come bac OW he’s made mistakes in his life, but he’s still my dad and right now he’s going through a lot.”
I sigh heavily as I lean back on my hands and tilt my head back, staring at the ceiling. about them… Annalise’s lie, Annette’s interference…. The Blood Born
“Mom’s attitude, and the secrets she’s kept, secrets I know that have eaten up at her and I still need to talk to her Triquetras, who are the missing pieces? To what extent will this go before it’s over? What will we lose in the process? We’ve seen what they will and can do.”
I look at him, the weight of it all hitting me hard. “Valerie is improving. People know that. What if something happens? I mean, what if she knows who did this to her? Did she see her attacker? Will she remember him and if so… will they come for her?” I whisper, terrified.
“Zaia…”
I shake my head, turning away and looking at my little angel. “Then… my princess… she’s not well, Sebastian. We don’t know what’s wrong and I just want her to be safe and stress-free. I’m terrified, if something happens if she’s overwhelmed, her heart won’t be able to take it.”
“Look at me.” His voice is quiet yet firm, and I slowly look up at him. “That is a lot when you put it like that, but we’re going to deal with it, one step at a time. Let’s tackle one issue at a time. You aren’t alone, Zaia, I promise you.” I nod, before I look away, not knowing
what to say. “I… umm, so when do we head back?”
“Home?” I nod before I realise what he did, and a smirk crosses his lips. “Whenever you’re ready.”
“Cool…” 1 exhale. “About earlier, thanks for taking it on yourself when you told the children – you didn’t need
to do that.”
“No, I did. It’s my duty to take care of the three of you and I’m the one who keeps on lacking when it comes to that. There will be changes when we go back in terms of where we will stay, and the security. I know my family will see it as extreme, but I don’t trust anyone.” He says seriously. That makes me feel better and I nod.
“Thanks, the children will be happy about coming with you… so, how did you feel about your first meeting?” I A Me Do ask, leaning back and resting my weight on my hands.
He smiles slightly as he looks at both of our sleeping children. Seeing him side by side with Zion shows how similar they are. From their dark hair, to their blue eyes. I look down at Sia smiling softly, she’s a lot like me, just far more beautiful and precious.
“It was incredible, the fact that you can feel so deeply for someone you have just met. They are my pups and that makes me incredibly proud.” He says quietly.
I look up at him, my heart skipping a beat. “Pups…”
“We are werewolves.” He says, winking at me, and I nod. Yes, yes, we are and although others may frown at him for using that term; I
