Chapter 48 A Troubling Thought
ZAIA. My shoulder is aching, and my entire body feels like I have been run over,
but seeing him sitting there makes me forget it all. I know I’m not ready to take
him back, even if I want him…
I need time. My heart still hurts, but at the same time, I’m terrified, terrified that
something could happen to any of us at any time. “Blue eyes…” He says,
frowning deeply. “Who has eyes like mine?”
I look at him, frowning slightly. “I don’t know… your eyes are pretty sharp. The
kind of eyes you don’t miss…” I muse, slowly leaning back against my pillows.
“That’s a clue, and I’ll work on it.” He says, looking down for a moment,
pondering over what I’ve just said before he looks up at me.”
Maybe… maybe it was better if I stayed away from you. You weren’t harmed until
I came back into the picture… that was a wrong decision made on my part. ‘m
sorry.”
I’look up at him, thinking of life without him in the picture. I enjoyed his
presence… even if it hurts at times…
I was just getting used to him again. Not that I’ll admit that. “No, we need to do
this together. I mean, whoever is behind this is adamant about splitting us. Surely
there’s a reason for that.” I try to reason.
A slow smirk crosses his lips and I wonder if I’m saying a bit too much because I
am delirious or high on medication.
“Or is it you just want me around?” He growls. Why is that low, deep, guttural
sound such a turn-on? “You must be dreaming.” I roll my eyes as I suck in a
breath, resting back against the pillows. I bite my lip, looking away smoothly.
He stands up, leaning over. He adjusts the bed positioning, his scent invading my
senses. I glance up at him. From this angle, I can see his chiselled jaw and
Adam’s apple perfectly.
He looks down at me, his gaze dipping to my lips before he swallows, making my
stomach. flutter. He places his hands on either side of me on the bed and leans
closer. I don’t look away, defiantly holding his gaze.
“If that’s the case, Foxie; then I’m probably dreaming from the moment you said
you want to be ravished by me,” he whispers. My heart thunders as he leans
closer, his nose brushing against my neck, making my breath hitch.
“Bastien… I…” I place my good hand on my chest, but it’s a mistake because all I
can think of is how his chest feels beneath my fingertips… 1
“You always do smell absolutely divine…” My core clenches and a part of me
wants him not to respect my wishes and ravish me right now.
I must have hit my head hard. He suddenly moves back, and it takes me a
second to realise the door is opening as he stands there so smoothly, as if he
wasn’t just leaning over me.
“The doctors want you to spend the night, and well, I’m not going to bé at ease
unless the children are under my watch.”
“Then I’ll watch her,” Sebastian says. Dad frowns. “That’s not necessary. I don’t
trust you fully yet.” “I can assure you, I won’t let anything happen to her in my
presence.”
The moment the words leave his lips he looks away and I don’t need to be a
rocket scientist to know he’s blaming himself for not being able to protect us.
“Very well, I will handle Harrison, Zaia. And once you are discharged, we will fly
home. I know my properties here are safe, but I’m not sure how sufficient they
are…” he’s talking more to himself now.
I want the kids with me and safe, and knowing that they may be at risk is
worrying me. “I think you should leave… for now. I don’t want the children to be
at risk.” I say softly to Sebastian. “I don’t know if that’s wise,” Sebastian says.
“The kids are our priority,” I say. Our eyes meet, and he frowns, giving a small
nod. “Then I’ll watch them, and you should stay with Zaia.” He says to Dad. Dad
looks surprised at that before he frowns.
“I don’t appreciate being told what to do… Zaia has full security at the hospital.”
He says firmly. “They are my children too, and even though I may not have a part
in their lives, I want them
safe, but I also want to make sure Zaia is safe. I can’t be here… I get that, then
at least let me try to protect my children.” Sebastian says coldly.
“It is not up for discussion,” Dad says. I look between them before Sebastian
nods curtly. “Fine.” He says, “Then I’ll take my leave.” He looks at me and I give
him a small, apologetic smile. “Take care of yourself.”
I nod, and he glances at Dad. “Make sure the security around this place is tight,
and anyone coming in this room, including the doctors, should be under the
watch of one of your men,” he says before he glances at me.
He wants to say something, but he changes his mind before he walks to the door
and leaves. The door shuts behind him with a snap, and I look at Dad.
“He isn’t wrong.” “I know, but I don’t plan to keep you here. Everyone, including
my men, will think you are here, but it’s not safe. I want to see if anyone attempts
anything.” Dad says, his eyes glinting dangerously. “They’ve messed with the
wrong Alpha.”
I open my mouth, wishing he had at least told Sebastian, but I don’t say anything.
“I see,” I respond quietly. “You still have feelings for him,” Dad states, making me
look at him.
It’s not a question. His face is unreadable and I look down. “It would be a lie to
say I don’t, but he has hurt me and that is not something Lean forget,” I murmur.
“He is a mistake, Zaia. I need you to remember that.” “We were fated,” I reply
softly. It is the one thing our kind still holds the importance of somewhat, anyway.
“Even a destined mate can be a mistake. Don’t hold importance on such
meaningless things, Zaia. I still hold to my words, Atticus is an ideal option.
Consider him.” He’s lied to me too…
I remain silent and after a moment of waiting for a reply; he frowns and walks to
the door. “Someone will come get you soon.” He says quietly. He leaves the room
and shuts the door behind him, leaving me alone in the room.
I sigh heavily as I stare at the ceiling, unable to stop myself from delving into
what Dad had said about the Blood Born…
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Three… Does it mean there is more
out there? And does Mom know
about them? I need to ask her too. A
birthmark on one of your children
Sele t :
isn’t just nothing. I remember
: ,
growing up, when I asked she’d brush
0 x x ,
it off, almost as if she didn’t want to
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: i

She must know something. I’ll ask
her when I get home tonight. It was
nearly midnight when I finally
reached the house where Mom and
the children had been moved to. It
was on a local road in the human
area, but if Dad said it is safer, then it
must be. Visit Novelxo.org to
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I had a jacket and hood on as I’m led inside from the car by Dad and the first
thing I do is rush to see the children. Mom intercepts me, giving me a gentle hug
and kiss before she allows me to hurry up the stairs to the children.
Thank the Goddess they are all ok. I kiss them softly so as not to awaken them,
struggling to bend down with the pain in my shoulder and gently sitting on the
bed beside Sia. What must they have thought?
I told them I’ll be back early and then I was gone the entire day. “What did you tell
them?” I ask Mom. She sighs. “Just that work was busy. They were upset, but
they understood.”
“That’s the sad part… they will soon become accustomed to me never being
around,” I say bitterly. “Zaia, it’s not your fault.” Mom comforts me gently.
“Isn’t it? I didn’t even think Mom, I was so determined to find out who it was
behind that helmet that I just acted recklessly. I could have been killed and then
what about these two?
They need me.” I say as I look up at her. The thought that has been niggling on
my mind all morning now making itself known.
“Zaia… child, you acted to protect someone, don’t forget that. Under stress and
fear, we do things… don’t blame yourself.”
“I don’t know, Mom, life is short, and I want them to know Sebastian… because if
anything happens to me. They will need him.” I whisper.
“Zaia… Nothing will happen to you, do you understand?” Mom looks shocked,
but I mean it, from the bottom of my heart.
They need their father. “Still, they need him in their life.” I respond. Deep down, I
am scared, scared something will happen to either Sebastian or I. She sighs and
nods in understanding.
“Mom, there’s something I want to ask you,” I begin as I now turn to her as she
begins to set a few pillows behind me to make it easier for me. I know once the
pain medication wears off, I’ll struggle with the pain more so.
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I PE )

What is it?” Mom asks. I’m about to
ask about the birthmark when Dad
opens the door without even a knock.
His face is pale, and I know
something is very wrong before he
even speaks. His eyes flit to mine and
I know it involves me. Visit
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“What is it?” I ask sharply. “Sebastian was shot.