Chapter 48

Zora POV

Dash's phone went to voicemail a third time. I sighed and hung my head in defeat. I had a shift in the evening. I couldn't blow it off. I needed this job.

My phone rang again before I could leave. It was Dash.

"At least I know you're alive!" I blasted.

"I'm sorry, things have been pretty hectic."

"Are you okay?"

"I'm fine…" he exhaled deeply. "Are you alright, babe? Damn, I miss you."

I cleared my throat so my voice wouldn't crack when I spoke. "I miss you too. I need you a lot right now."

"Zora, what the hell happened?"

"Nothing I just miss being in your arms. Any new leads?"

"Uh… a few wrong turns."

"Wrong turns? Dash, did you get beat up?" I questioned sternly.

"Would your man get his ass handed to him?" I could imagine him raising his brow.

I laughed. I decided to leave the hospital so I walked towards the elevator. "I guess not. Do you know how long you'll be gone?"

"Don't miss me too much babe. I can't wait to have your legs around my waist though. I have another meeting tonight. I'll call you once I'm done."

"I have to prepare for my shift later but I was thinking of going back to my house… just to check something out."

"As long as you go with Kaleb I'll be at peace."

"Yeah… he's busy."

"Then go with Gunner as much as I hate the thought of you two being alone together."

I scowled. "I'm not talking to him."

"Damn, Zora, you're not going there alone. What's so important anyway?"

"Keegan called and said something about the Pandora being there. It's not out of the ordinary. Considering what we've learned so far."

"If that's the case then you're not going alone. Stay away from the house until I get home. Babe, I'm begging you."

Cassidy would have been my first choice in my boyfriend's absence but since she was in a tricky situation.

"You know what I think I'll go with my sister. We still have to talk."

"Excuse me? Sister?"

"Oh yeah, that's what happens when you leave, you miss out on all the fun. I have a sister and she's Kaleb's fated mate and want to know the reason Kaleb's so busy. He's with Cassidy in the hospital because she's pregnant with Gunner's baby," I sucked in a deep breath.

There was silence on the other end. "Fuck."

"Yeah… wait did you know Gunner and Cassidy were messing around?"

"Uhh… well… it was a long time ago I didn't know they were still doing it, especially now he has a girlfriend."

"Dash!" I exclaimed.

He groaned. "It was a long time ago."

"Ugh, fine. I'll call Zelda, bye, Dash."

***

"So you grew up here?" Zelda asked.

We walked to the front door. The house was still under construction but the workers had left for the day. They'd done a good job of removing the weeds and tall grass.

"Yeah, I know it's old-fashioned," I replied.

"What? It's great. We moved around a lot but we had to…" she trailed.

"Why's that?"

She shrugged. "Like I said Dad's an eccentric man. We were always moving for one reason or the next. I don't know why Mom put up with him but I guess she really loves him."

"At least you had them both," I offered.

She smiled. "Yeah, those few family dinners we had together were nice. Mom drew the line on more kids which I kind of resent because it was lonely then I found out about you but Dad wouldn't say anything. That really hurt me."

"Did he ever say why?"

Did he resent my existence that he tried to erase me?

Zelda and I marched upstairs.

"He said it was for your own good. I think it was because of Mom too. What are we looking for again?"

"The Pandora but I don't know what it looks like."

Zelda gasped. "It's dangerous!"

"Do you know what it looks like?"

She blinked a few times and looked away. "No, but Dad does. He's spent his whole life searching for it. It's incredibly powerful. It does more evil than good. When it's found it has to be destroyed."

"So the Serpent wants it to destroy it?"

Her eyes went wide. "You know about him too? Let's get out of here."

She grabbed my wrist and dragged me downstairs.

"Not so fast these stairs are a hundred years old."

"I'd like to live until tomorrow. He's an evil man. He came to our house before we moved when I was six and threatened Dad. I'll never forget the snake tattoo wrapped around his neck."

We burst out of the house and ran into the car. Zelda backed out of there in seconds. Considering the number of times, I've been attacked I wasn't risking it.

"I don't think the Pandora's in your house, but I believe it's in this Pack. Our Dad's the expert on it that's why we've moved around a lot and because everyone who's anyone wants a piece of him. If they find out we're his children then our lives are in danger."

"Zelda someone already knows I'm his kid. I'm screwed."

"No, you're not. I think you should consider leaving the Pack."

"What? I can't. I have my friends, my whole life's been here and Dash…"

"Your life's important too. Think about it. I know where to go."

***

Kaleb called me because Cassidy wanted to see me. She was still in the hospital. The doctor insisted on keeping her for the night. I believed it was because she was carrying the heir to the Pack. That was a big deal around here.

Zelda went with me to the hospital but I knew she was there Kaleb even if she wouldn't admit it.

Kaleb walked out of Cass's room and locked eyes with Zelda. It was like I wasn't even there.

"I'll be right back," I told my sister.

She nodded.

Kaleb took my place by her side as I entered the private room. I half expected to see Gunner by her side but she was alone staring at the ceiling. I could only imagine the shock she felt.

"Feeling better?" I asked.

She turned her head. Her eyes were red from crying. "Oh, you finally came. I didn't think I'd have to call for you."

I shrugged. "You were with Kaleb. I wanted to give you space."

She sniffled. "All he did was yell."

"He's shocked, Cass, we all are."

She laughed cynically. "Are you shocked I slept with your man?"

I clenched my teeth. "Gunner isn't my man or is there something you want to tell me about Dash?" I crossed my arms.

She ran her hands down her face and cursed. "Gunner, Dash they were both crazy about you! They still are. It was always Zora no other woman could measure up."

"Stop. Quit it."

"Why? You don't want to hear the truth? You're like a tattoo on Gunner's skin. He can't get rid of you. No matter what I did."

How could she say that? Gunner made my life hell. He made me walk naked, he put gum in my hair and made me cut it, and he ruined my love life before it ever began. I hated Gunner and I still might!

"Stop! I don't want him I never did."

She turned away and sniffled.

"Cass, you're my best friend. Don't do this."

"Please just leave," she whispered. "I want to be alone."

"Cassidy…"

"I mean it, Zora. I want to be alone," she snapped.

I stepped back a knife went through my heart. "I'll go. I won't be there when you get home. I'll let you have your space."

I walked out of the hospital room feeling like I lost a member of my family.