Chapter 24 Chapter 24
Zarlia didn’t remember when she’d started running. The noise of the city blurred behind her as her shoes slapped against the wet pavement. She raised her hand, hailing a taxi with trembling fingers, her vision foggy from tears. The driver said something, but she didn’t hear him. Her voice cracked when she whispered, “To the beach, please.”
The hour-long ride stretched endlessly. She pressed her forehead against the cool glass, watching the city fade into gray streaks. By the time she arrived, the sun had sunk into the horizon, the world swallowed by blue dusk. The beach was alive with people laughing, children running, lovers strolling—yet she felt utterly alone.
She kicked off her heels and walked barefoot onto the cold, damp sand. Each step sank beneath her, as if the earth wanted to hold her still. Then she collapsed, hugging her knees, tears spilling freely.
Her shoulders trembled. The taste of salt on her lips—she couldn’t tell if it was from the sea or from herself.
Grandma. The word clawed through her chest. The one person who had ever seen her—really seen her—was gone. Worst part, she totally abandoned her—ever since she overheard her parents talking about using her, she never went home so, she never saw her grandma.
Zarlia’s sobs came harder, the pain in her chest spreading like fire. She remembered the woman’s gentle laugh, her wrinkled hands braiding her hair, the only warmth she had ever known in a cold, cruel world. And she hadn’t even been there at the end.
“I’m sorry,” she whispered into her palms. “I’m so sorry.”
Her fake parents’ faces flashed in her mind—their sneers, their cruelty, the way they had used her pay check like she was nothing but a wallet with legs. Their words still echoed: “You’re nothing but a whore, Zarlia. Just like your mother.”
She choked on a sob. It hurt. It all hurt. The betrayal, the humiliation, the never-ending loneliness.
Her heart felt heavy—like it had been buried alive under years of rejection. Her family didn’t love her. Her boyfriend had left her. Even Stetson… her boss, her mate—he didn’t trust her. He couldn’t love her. Not really.
She laughed bitterly through her tears. “If it weren’t for that stupid Moon Goddess, he wouldn’t have even looked at me.”
Above her, thunder rolled softly. Then came the rain.
At first, it was gentle—tiny drops that kissed her skin—but soon it fell harder, soaking her hair, plastering her clothes to her body. People ran for shelter, but she didn’t move. She sat there and let the sky cry with her, the rain mixing with her tears until she couldn’t tell them apart.
Miles away, Stetson tore through the apartment like a storm. He had been looking for her, didn’t know where else to go but their apartment.
“Where is she?” His voice was sharp, his breath uneven. Asher—the wolf inside him—snarled, pacing restlessly in his mind.
“She’s in pain.”
“I know,” Stetson growled, running a hand through his hair. “I can feel it, dammit, but I can’t find her.”
He could feel her emotions through their weak bond—sorrow so deep it made his chest ache, loneliness that gnawed at his sanity. But no matter how hard he tried to reach her; the bond wasn’t strong enough yet. All he could do was feel her despair.
Asher let out a low growl. “They broke her.”
Stetson clenched his fists. His mate—the stubborn, kind, brave woman who smiled even when the world spat on her—was breaking. And he wasn’t there to stop it. He always disliked what he couldn’t control and his situation was driving him mad.
He waited. Hours passed. The rain grew heavier. Every minute without her was a torment he’d never known before.
By the time Zarlia returned, night had swallowed the city whole. Her hair clung to her face, dripping water down her neck. Her shoes dangled from one hand, the other gripping her soaked bag. Her eyes were red, hollow, her body trembling from exhaustion.
When she opened the door, Stetson was sitting on the couch—towel and food beside him, untouched.
The moment he saw her, he stood. The mask of the cold CEO shattered. His eyes were wild with relief and worry.
“Stetson, I—”
He didn’t let her finish. He crossed the room in three strides and pulled her into his arms. The sudden warmth of him broke something inside her. His arms wrapped around her tightly, almost desperately, like he was afraid she’d vanish if he let go.
“I was so worried,” he whispered into her hair. “Do you have any idea what you do to me when you disappear like that?”
She didn’t answer. Her body was stiff at first, then soft. She mumbled, “I just needed to clear my head.”
He didn’t let her go. Instead, he lifted her effortlessly, her wet clothes soaking into his shirt. She didn’t protest. Her head fell limply against his neck as he carried her upstairs, the steady rhythm of his heartbeat echoing against her ear.
In the bathroom, he turned the tap, filling the tub with warm water. Steam rose, curling in the air. He set her down gently.
“Take a warm bath,” he said softly. His voice was rough—half-command, half-plea. Then he left before she could see the pain in his eyes.
She closed the door and took of her clothes like they stung, getting into the tub. Then a faint deep voice came, “Are you okay Luna?”, Asher’s voice sounded more like a desperate whisper—like a dog rubbing itself against sits owner to provide comfort.
Zarlia sank herself deeper into the water, “Asher”, she tried to hold back her tears but it had already started to fall again.
Asher whispered again. “They broke her” this time to Stetson who pressed his hand against the wall, closing his eyes. “Then I’ll fix her.”
When she came out, the sight of her shattered him even more.
She wore an oversized T-shirt and shorts, her hair damp, her eyes dull—like the light in her had been stolen.
He didn’t speak. He simply reached for her, pulling her gently onto his lap. Her legs rested on either side of him, her head against his chest. His hand stroked her back in slow circles, grounding her.
For a long time, neither spoke. The silence between them was fragile, but it was safe.
Then her voice broke through, soft and cracked. “I won’t ask you any more questions about your family. I get it now—it’s hard to talk about pain.”
His heart clenched. “Zarlia…”
Tears welled in her eyes. “They came today. My… fake parents. They told me Grandma’s dead.” Her lips trembled. “They didn’t even take her to the hospital. She was all I had.” She looked up at him, “I’m so selfish, I should have gone back for her. I should have gone to see her but I didn’t –not even once”
Her words came faster, broken, trembling. “They said I’m worthless, that I’m… dirty. That even you only gave me a job because—because I’m good at—” Her voice failed.
Stetson’s jaw tightened, rage flickering in his eyes, but he stayed silent, letting her speak.
“I grew up not knowing who my real parents were,” she whispered. “I thought I was used to being rejected, but it still hurts. Everyone leaves, Stetson. My family, my ex, even Grandma—and one day, you will too.”
Her voice broke. “Everyone leaves.”
And then—he kissed her.
It wasn’t gentle. It was fierce, desperate, like he was trying to breathe life back into her broken soul. She never expected him to bethe gentle type but his lips gave her a bit of comfort.
When they finally parted, his breath was warm against her lips. “Werewolves are immortal, Zarlia. You’re my mate. I’ll be here until your last breath—and even after that, I’ll still find you.”
Tears spilled down her cheeks as he kissed her again, slower this time, like he wanted to erase every cruel word ever spoken to her. She kissed him back, clinging to him, wanting—needing—to believe. She knew he was just having fate in the moment because she already knew what they have won’t last like she would hope.
He pulled her closer, his strong arm wrapped around her waist like a vice while her fingers glided into his hair, making him hiss. He deepened the his as he pressed her body flush against him and she closed her eyes.
The longer they kissed, the harder it was for Stetson to control himself, her scent was intoxicating—that alone drove him mad. But she wasn’t in a light mood so he shouldn’t take advantage of the situation.
When they broke apart, he pressed his forehead to hers. “My Luna shouldn’t be sad when I’m here,” he murmured, kissing her nose, then both her cheeks. “You can always rely on me. Always.”
Zarlia couldn’t hold it in anymore. The sobs came again, raw and shattering, and he held her tighter, his hand stroking her hair.
“Let it out,” he whispered. “I’ve got you.”
And she did.
She cried until her body ached, until her tears soaked his shirt. He never moved, never let go. Eventually, exhaustion claimed her. Her breathing slowed, her fingers clutching his shirt like a lifeline.
He looked down at her sleeping face, brushed a tear from her cheek, and whispered, “I’ll protect you from the whole damn world if I have to.”
Then he leaned back, still holding her close, and for the first time in a long while, the mighty Stetson let himself fall asleep—with his broken mate safe in his arms.