Chapter 28 Little Secrets
Alyssa's POV
For my own sake and sanity, I've been avoiding both Zayne's mom and Lori. Luna Valerie made it easier by disappearing from the Pack like she was never there in the first place and everything that happened was my imagination.
Lori on the other hand smiled and waved at me whenever she saw me while I looked at her, trying to figure out what was going on through her mind.
“She's up to no idea, that I can assure you about." Nira said, and I agreed. Just a few days ago, she was reminding me about how I wasn't fit to be Luna and how compared to Nyra, I was nothing.
“What are you thinking so hard about, Luna?” Tristan asked, entering the office, "If I listen closely, I'm sure I can hear your thoughts."
He threw himself on the couch beside me and I turned to face him. His eyes were a bit swollen like he hasn't gotten up to two hours of uninterrupted sleep, which made me frown.
“Are you okay?" I asked, “You look like you could use some sleep."
He shook his head, "I'm okay.” He replied, even though he looked the opposite of that. He opened his mouth as if he wanted to say something but closed it. He repeated the actions repeatedly, causing me to raise my brow.
"I have this friend,” he began, and I rolled my eyes, knowing exactly where the conversation was headed and why he found it hard to ask. “He likes this girl, but he doesn't think she feels the same way…and he might have messed things up.”
"You have another friend other than my mate and Xavier?”
He let out a groan, "not the point, Luna.” He said, running a hand through his hair.
"Whatever, I just want to be able to give the best advice.” I murmured and Nira snorted. But it wasn't my fault, who gives half a story when they might as well let everything out. And I couldn't remember Aileen saying anything about him…apart from how she hoped he would break a leg during training.
“If you…your friend thinks he has messed things up, it's easy, talk to her about it and be sure where you…he stands.”
He ignored my slip of tongue while sitting upright, “Do you think it'll work? What if she doesn't want to work things out?"
"You won't know until it happens.”
He thought about it before giving an excuse that he needed to go and discuss some things with Xavier about back matters and he was gone, leaving me alone to wonder what was going on.
“What does he take us for?" Nira asked, as the door slammed shut behind him.
I waited for a few minutes hoping that Zayne would come in but I wasn't lucky. While I could've easily mindlinked him, I wanted to surprise him since for whatever reason, he didn't want to tell me what he was dealing with.
When I didn't see him, I chose to leave but just as I opened the door, I came face to face with Zayne and I pouted. “Where have you been?" I asked, jumping into his arms, "I've been waiting for you.” I murmured, as his arms tightened around me.
"Sorry, Red.” He apologized, "I had to take care of something…but I'm here.”
He lifted me like I didn’t weigh anything, his hands steady and firm against my waist and I couldn’t help but smile, my fingers sliding up the back of his neck as I looked down at him.
“You always disappear when I want to see you the most,” I teased, brushing my nose against his.
Zayne chuckled, the sound vibrating through his chest. “Maybe that’s my way of making sure you miss me.”
I rolled my eyes, though my grin gave me away. “That’s a terrible plan.”
“Is it?” he murmured, tilting his head slightly, his gaze softening as his thumb traced slow circles on my back. “Because it seems to be working.”
Heat rushed to my cheeks, and I buried my face in the crook of his neck, breathing in his familiar scent. “You’re impossible,” I muttered.
He laughed quietly, pressing a kiss to my shoulder. “And you love me anyway.”
“Unfortunately,” I said, smiling against his skin.
He shifted me a little higher in his arms, his eyes glinting with that playful spark I’d missed all day. “Good thing I’m making it up to you now, huh?”
I nodded, snuggling closer to him. Without putting me down, he walked towards the couch, making himself comfortable with me still in his arms.
“Are you going to tell me what you're working on?"
“It's nothing you have to worry your head about." He assured me and I simply nodded because I know talking about it won't change anything."
I put a space between us, my gaze meeting his, “I need to get back to the girls…I'll see you later.” I told him, and it was his time to frown.
"But I just got here." He murmured, his voice low and I was tempted to stay but I already promised the girls that I was going to come back. “They're not going to miss us, let's just stay here." Nira said.
“I'll make it up to you tonight." I told him instead, standing up and a groan escaped his lips. “You can't say things like that, Red." I just chuckled softly, placing a kiss on his lips.
Making my way out of the office, I went towards the childcare, my face still warm from my moment with Zayne. “I love the effect we have on him…and the one he has on me.”
“You're glowing, Luna." Was the first time Aria said when she saw me, winking suggestively.
I could feel my face burning up, “it's not what you think." I muttered.
“So, you're saying it has absolutely nothing to do my brother." Aileen asked, not letting it go.
“Why are you here?" I asked her instead, trying to change the subject from me. “I thought Tristan went looking for you.”
It was her turn to blush, “Why would he go looking for me?" She asked, looking away.
Aria and I hummed at the same time. I swear, the fact that they had a crush on each other was obvious to everyone except them. But I was sure it was her Tristan was talking about earlier and even her face confirmed it…or was I missing something?
“That aside, did you tell Alpha about Lori? “ Aria asked, "I really think she's up to something."
“Maybe, but Zayne already has a lot on his plate.” I replied, "I don't want to stress him with whatever is going on with Lori…I'll tell him later though.”
She looked like she wanted to argue but changed her mind and just nodded.
“Alright,” she said quietly.
I forced a small smile. “It’ll be fine. I’ll tell him when the time’s right.”
But even as I said it, a part of me wasn’t so sure.