Chapter 32 Old feelings
Jeremy's POV
It had been a while since I came around to check the inn.
Too long, actually.
I needed to see if things were running smoothly. If our staff were maintaining standards. If they were being careful about who they let in.
I pushed open the door. The warmth hit me immediately.
"Alpha Jeremy!"
"Good evening, Alpha."
"Welcome, Alpha."
Staff and guests who knew me started greeting. Bowing. Smiling.
I nodded at them. Returned a few smiles.
Then my eyes traveled to a corner of the restaurant.
To the only person who didn't greet me.
A woman. Sitting alone. Dark hair. Green dress.
She was staring at her drink like it was the most interesting thing in the world.
I stared at her for a minute. Waiting.
She finally looked up. Our eyes met.
But she quickly looked away.
Strange.
Everyone in Lakewood knew to acknowledge the Alpha. Even travelers.
I couldn't stop staring at her.
This woman. This lady.
Something about her made my wolf restless.
Awake. Alert. Curious.
I walked towards her. Slow. Steady.
With each step I took, she looked further away. At the wall. At her drink. At the table.
Anywhere but at me.
"You look new." I said when I reached her table.
She jumped slightly. Like I startled her.
"I haven't seen your face before." I continued. "And I know most travelers who pass through Lakewood."
She looked up at me. Composed herself.
"That's because I've never been here before." She smiled. Polite. Distant. "This is my first visit to the eastern territories."
Her voice. Something about it...
"Traveling alone?" I gestured to the empty chairs. "That's unusual for someone of your... status."
"My status?"
"Your clothes. Your manner. You carry yourself like nobility."
"Observant." She sipped her drink. "I'm Lady Margaret. From the Southern Highlands."
"A Southern lady traveling alone? That's still unusual."
"I love traveling alone." Her eyes met mine again. Direct. Confident. "I prefer privacy when I can get it."
Smart answer. But something felt off.
"What brings a lady so far from home?"
"Alliance. Trade." She set down her cup. "My father wants to strengthen bonds with the eastern packs. Lakewood seemed like the best place to start."
"I'm honored." I pulled out the chair across from her. "May I?"
She hesitated. Just for a second.
"Of course, Alpha."
I sat. We were silent for a moment.
The inn manager, Thomas, approached nervously.
"Alpha Jeremy. I didn't know you'd be visiting tonight." He wiped his hands on his apron. "Is everything alright?"
"Everything's fine, Thomas. Just my usual check."
"Check?" Lady Margaret asked.
"I own this inn." I explained. "I make regular visits. Make sure everything runs smoothly. That we're not taking in dangerous people or unwanted guests."
Her eyes flickered. Just for a second.
Fear? Recognition? I couldn't tell.
"That's very... thorough of you, Alpha."
"I protect what's mine." I leaned back in the chair. "Lakewood has enemies. I have to be careful."
"Of course you do."
Thomas shifted nervously. "Would you like your usual room prepared, Alpha?"
"No. I won't be staying tonight." I turned back to Lady Margaret. "Just checking the guest list. Making sure everyone is accounted for."
"Am I on the unwanted list?" She asked. Almost teasing.
"Should you be?"
"I don't think so." She tilted her head. "But you're the Alpha. You tell me."
I studied her face. Her green eyes. Her dark hair pulled back elegantly. The way she held herself.
Confident. Strong. But hiding something behind that smile.
"No." I finally said. "You're welcome in Lakewood, Lady Margaret."
"Thank you, Alpha."
I stood to leave. My visit was done.
Then I stopped.
Something about her body frame. The way she sat. The curve of her shoulders. The tilt of her head.
It reminded me of...
No.
Don't think about her.
But I couldn't help it.
She had the same build. Same slender frame.
Like Zoe.
My chest tightened.
Zoe.
My mate. The assassin. The woman I killed.
The memory hit me. Hard. Fast. Like a punch to the gut.
The forsaken forest. The execution tree. Her tied up. Wrists bleeding from the ropes.
Eyes empty. Defeated.
The gun in my hand. Her gun. The one she used to shoot Melissa.
"Just do it now, Jeremy."
Her last words before I pulled the trigger.
The sound of the shot echoing through the forest.
The way her head dropped forward.
James checking her pulse. "She's dead, Alpha."
The pack roaring with joy. Celebrating.
And me... falling to my knees. Screaming. Crying.
I'd rushed to her. Started untying her with shaking hands.
"Alpha, we need to dispose of the body..."
"Don't touch her!" I'd screamed at them. "Nobody touches her!"
I'd carried her myself. Through the dark forest. Her body limp in my arms.
To the river.
I was supposed to throw her in. Let the water take her away.
But I couldn't.
I'd laid her on the ground instead. Stared at her face.
So beautiful. Even in death.
Her blonde hair spread out. Her skin pale. Her lips slightly parted.
"I'm sorry." I'd whispered. Touched her face. "I'm so sorry, Zoe."
My wolf had been silent. Completely silent. Dead inside.
Just like her.
I looked at my mate lying on the ground of my mind. Lifeless. Broken.
That's when I realized.
How much she meant to me. How much I needed her.
But it was too late.
I'd killed her.
Seeing how broken I was, the pack took over. They disposed her body in the river to stop me from breaking any further.
I watched her disappear under the dark water.
Gone.
Forever.
"Alpha?"
A voice pulled me back.
Soft. Concerned.
Lady Margaret's voice.
I blinked. Realized I was still standing there. Staring at nothing.
My hands were clenched into fists. My jaw tight.
"Are you alright?" She asked. Real concern in her voice.
"Yes. I'm fine."
"You looked... lost. For a moment there."
"Just thinking." My voice came out rough.
"About what? If I may ask."
I shouldn't answer. Shouldn't share my pain with a stranger.
But something about her made me want to talk.
Made me feel... safe.
"Someone I lost." The words came out before I could stop them. "Someone who..."
I stopped. Couldn't finish.
"Someone who what?" She leaned forward slightly.
"Nothing." I shook my head. "It's nothing. Just my mind playing tricks."
"I'm sorry you lost someone." Her voice was soft. Gentle. "Loss is... difficult."
"So am I." I looked at her. Really looked at her. "Sorry, I mean."
Silence fell between us.
Heavy. But not uncomfortable.
Then she did something unexpected.
She reached out. Touched my hand.
Just a light touch. Her fingers on the back of my hand.
Gentle. Comforting.
And everything stopped.
My whole body froze.
Heat shot through me. From her fingertips. Up my arm. Through my entire body.
Electricity. Connection. Recognition.
The same feeling.
The EXACT same feeling I got when Zoe touched me.
When her skin met mine and somehow broke through the curse that had plagued me for years.
When my body came alive for the first time. When everything worked again.
My wolf suddenly stirred. Woke up. Went completely wild inside.
"No." The word slipped out. A whisper.
"What?" Lady Margaret pulled her hand back quickly. "Did I do something wrong?"
"No. I..." I couldn't breathe. Couldn't think. "I need to go."
"Alpha Jeremy?" She called me and my body just froze.