Chapter 12: Turmoil

***Natalia***

Zane leaves to collect his things and Agnes from Nikki and Micah’s place, giving me the chance to really think about what I just agreed to.I head to the bathroom to splash cool water on my face and neck, letting out a huge sigh as I wipe the sweat from my brow.

My reflection mocks my pathetic situation, laughing at me for accepting yet another wolf into my life.

‘Don’t let him get too close” I remind myself.

‘ Every kind gesture, every kiss, every gentle caress of my face…it will all be a lie.He doesn’t really love me.He doesn’t care about me no matter how much he says he does”

Tears spring to my eyes as I think about all the times Christian looked me in the eyes with such false sincerity, professing his undying love for me all the while f*****g my sister behind my back.

Wiping the tears that stain my cheeks, I inspect my reflection, my eyes scrutinizing every imperfection.

Dark circles hug my eyes from my restless night.

Fearful that Zane would find me, I called out of work this morning, keeping Kota home instead of taking him to daycare.

Of course, my attempts proved futile.

The wolf found me without much effort.

‘I am not good enough to fall in love with anyways” I shrug to myself, drying off my face.

‘I couldn’t even keep my husband interested in me before he looked elsewhere…Perhaps Zane will also find me inadequate as a mate and move on as well..” I nod at my reflection reassuringly.

‘Yes.Sooner or later, he’ll stop liking me and I’ll be free”

Having given myself the pep talk of the century, I hurry to find little Kota playing in the backyard and call him to me.He happily waddles over to me with a grin on his face.

“Where’s Zane, mommy?” he asks, looking behind me into the living room.

“Can he come play with me?”

I crouch down and lift him into my arms, carrying him over to the living room and sitting him down on the sofa.I smooth down his hair and cup his chubby cheeks in my hands.

“Kota,” I say, forcing a smile for him.

“What do you think about Zane staying with us … just for a little bit?”

His eyes widen with joy.

“Yeah!” He cries, jumping up on his feet and clapping his hands.

“Yeah! Yeah! Yeah!”

“You like that idea?” I ask, raising an eyebrow at him.

Kota jumps onto the couch and bursts into laughter.

“Yeah,” he giggles, resting his chin in his hands.

“And what about Agnes? Can she stay here too?” I ask.

Kota bounces on his toes, shooting his fingers up in a happy I pout at him.

“I thought I made the best cookies…”

“No,” he grins, shaking his head and jumping up like a rabbit.

I feign hurt at his honesty and he rushes up to kiss me square on the lips.

“But Mommy makes the best pancakes!” He chirps.

Kota suddenly stretches out his arms like a plane and flies over to his toy chest, pulling out his favorite toy train and action figures.

“What are you doing?” I ask as he makes a small pile of toys.

“To play with Zane,” he shrugs as if that were the most obvious answer.

Worry fills my heart as I realize that Kota would be affected by Zane’s imminent departure.

I would need to do everything in my power to make sure Zane rejects me quickly and leaves us both in one piece.

“Remember, Kota,” I sigh, crawling over to him.

“He’s only here for a little while.He won’t be here forever.Entiendes? understand ?”I ask.

He nods and continues to make a pile of toys for Zane when he arrives.

Seeing no point in explaining any further, I rush off to the guest room and ensure it’s comfortable for Agnes, changing the sheets and myself to share my space with a man.

clear out two drawers for Zane and make room in

Queen sized bed I was

us both but we would

thought of this man touching me in my pajamas makes me

not punish me so! I readjust the pillows

to set in the horizon and a small part

enters my mind, the doorbell rings, my heart sinking knowing

the bed and rush over to the door, taking a deep

mother smile politely at me, Nikki and Micah

will soothe my dry throat, stepping off to the side to let

a single small bag with what I assume are their belongings while Niki and Micah carry what appear to be

up to the man

“You’re here!”

at the sight of my

only met this morning and Zane had already won Kota over.Would I fall so easily

strong.I have to be

“Sorry we’re late,”

“but we promised Agnes we’d take her to town to go shopping for more clothes.They…they didn’t bring much with them

while Micah and Niki begin unloading the shopping

we reach the room, I turn to Zane and have him translate

your room” I

hall to

find it impossible to hate her.She was not my mate.She

widening as she takes

Zane and he smiles

a seat on the bed, shocked by how bouncy and comfortable it is, her hand feeling the

wipes at her eyes and rushes to hug me, my body stiffening It was just a simple room with a large window looking into the garden

else to do, I wrap my arms

leaning

she crying?”

he remains silent

flushed pink in embarrassment as she

room and begins unpacking her

me,” I say curtly, gesturing to Zane and

Kota down and follows close behind me, Kota running down

Zane, I force my thoughts elsewhere as I feel the urge to turn around

bond, I mutter to

room and I point to the

some space in the closet for you to hang your things,” I shrug.I turn to find him

I go to

sleeping over there,” I smirk, pointing

me completely dumbfounded

“What?” I shrug indifferently.

It did not specify

presses his lips together in what I can only assume is annoyance and nods solemnly, knowing he could not force me to share

feel bad for making this small adjustment but it

share my home with a wolf, a stranger no less, but I could not stomach the idea of

his entire

of the way, I will

Kota chattering away with Micah in the living room, Kota

as he hears me

a wolf on his

at Micah’s tattoos and

I say, forcing a

okay?” Nikki asks as she comes

hadn’t stopped thinking of last night and the possibility that my friends were not who I thought they were.I decide to bite the bullet and ask for

at Kota who continues to

Zane and Agnes?” I ask, clasping and unclasping my

exchange glances

know he’s your

at their lie but at the fact

everywhere, infecting every aspect of

upset with us?” Niki asks, a worried look

quickly, as if to clarify that

hurting you or Kota.” I almost scoff at

won’t

what every werewolf promised before they sank their teeth into your back when you

you,” I reply

done.” Niki shifts nervously on her feet and I ask a

I

me.I would need to leave at once

Micah shakes

only wolves in Poulsbo.Nikki and I are rogues just

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