Chapter 153TM
He was already moving, grabbing clothes from the dresser where he’d been keeping them. “Come with me, he said, turning to look at me with desperate eyes. “Please, Athena. I don’t want to leave you alone.”
But I couldn’t. I shook my head, and I saw the hurt flash across his face.
‘I can’t, Tristan. I’m sorry, but I can’t. I’ll wait till you get back.”
The truth was, I didn’t want to come face to face with her. There was something about Seraphine that made my skin crawl, something dark and manipulative that everyone else seemed blind to.
Every instinct I had screamed warnings whenever her name came up. I didn’t trust her, and I had a terrible feeling that this “suicide attempt” was just another play in whatever game she was running.
But I couldn’t tell him that because he had a duty to his people and I wouldn’t stop him even though it’s someone I don’t like.
He didn’t want to leave me. I could see it in the way he hesitated, half–dressed and torn between two loyalties. For a moment, I thought he might
choose to stay, might prioritize our relationship over his duties as Alpha.
But I knew better. Tristan was too good, too honorable to abandon a pack member who needed help, even if that someone made my skin crawl. His
responsibility to his pack ran deeper than blood – it was woven into his very soul.
“Go, I insisted, even though every fiber of my being wanted to beg him to stay. “She needs you right now.”
He kissed me hard before he left, pouring all his conflicted emotions into that single desperate contact.
‘I love you,” he whispered against my lips. “I’ll make sure to come as soon as possible.”
‘I love you too. I’ll wait for you.” I whispered back, though part of me wondered if that was really true.
After he left, the apartment felt enormous and empty. I tried to distract myself with a book, then television, then cleaning, but nothing worked. The silence was deafening after days of constant companionship.
About thirty minutes after Tristan left, my phone rang. Derek’s name flashed on the screen.
‘Hey,” I answered, grateful for any distraction.
‘Are you home?” he asked immediately.
‘Yeah, why?”
“Are you alone?”
I hesitated. “Tristan went out to handle something. Why? What’s going on?”
‘I’m on my way over,‘ Derek said, and there was something in his tone that made my stomach clench with anxiety.
‘Derek, what..” But he’d already hung up.
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15:21 Sat, Jan 10 G MR
Chapter 153
I set my phone down with shaking hands. First Seraphine’s supposed suicide attempt, now Derek calling with that strange urgency in his voice. What was happening tonight?
Derek and I are now friends, turns out Tristan had spoken to him man to man.
Alpha to Alpha, yep.
I was shocked when I heard too, Tristan was aware all along.
Of course he knew, they were friends and partners.
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Derek wasn’t from from around here, he’d left his place to come start something here.
I didn’t ask for more information because I didn’t think I needed to know. But right now, I couldn’t help but think he was in danger.
I tried calling him back, but it went straight to voicemail. So I waited, pacing around my living room in nothing but Tristan’s oversized t–shirt and a pair
of shorts. Every minute felt like an hour.
When I finally heard the knock at my door, relief flooded through me. Derek was here, and whatever was wrong, he’d explain it and everything would
make sense again.
I didn’t bother asking who it was – Derek had said he was coming over, after all. I unlocked the bolt and pulled the door open, already starting to speak.
“Thank God you’re here, I was starting to…”
The words died in my throat. My steps faltered, and I felt my eyes widen until they felt like they might pop out of my skull. The blood drained from my
face so fast I thought I might faint.
Standing in my doorway, wearing a cold smile that didn’t reach their eyes, was the absolute last person I ever expected to see.
“What…” I stammered, my voice barely above a whisper. “What are you… doing here?”
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SmutGoddess
Daxon??????
Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.
