Chapter 45 Lingering Fear
Alyssa's POV
My arms tightened around my mate, wondering what could've happened after I left. I'd felt his uneasiness through our mindlink and at first, I assumed he was just overwhelmed but when it continued, I knew something was wrong…just not to what extent.
“I love you." He whispered, and for a moment, I forgot why we were in our current position.
“I love you." I repeated as he put some distance between us. And I met his gaze, although they were filled with love, it still looked distant like he was holding back. “Are you okay?"
He shook his head, telling me not to worry about it. “I'm going for a run, I need to clear my head." He told me, his hand cupping my face gently. "Don't wait up for me.” He said, and before I could ask why, he kissed my forehead and was gone.
I didn't move, it felt like my leg was rooted to the ground until Mel came to me, touching my arms a little. "Are you okay, Luna?” She asked, her eyes held worry but I just nodded, not trusting my words.
"Can you talk to Kael?” I asked Nira who shook her head and I let out a sigh. And without thinking twice, I went in search of the boys. They were going to have an idea of what happened.
Several questions went on through my mind, was it the herb? Did something go wrong with the timing? I was mostly worried because since I knew Zayne, he always had things under control but now it felt like he was barely holding on.
I passed some Pack members, who greeted me but I was a woman on a mission, so I murmured what I hope came out as smoothly as I thought it did.
After searching for a few minutes without any results, I stood, not knowing what to do. It made me realise how little I knew of the Pack, apart from the places I frequented everyday.
I looked around, trying to figure out where either boys were. Mel was confused, so she just stood beside me. It didn't make things any better that Nira was choosing not to say anything.
“Luna…” Lori's familiar voice called, before I finally ran crazy.
"Hi.”
"Are you looking for someone? Alpha Zayne…I saw him going towards the forest.” She said, and if she noticed the weird look on my face, she didn't say anything.
I swallowed hard, "Tristan…do you know where he is?"
A genuine look of surprise appeared on her face but she quickly covered it before nodding repeatedly. “Yes, I can take you there if you want." She offered and I nodded.
I didn't miss the frown on Mel's face but that could wait as I followed Lori quietly, ignoring the stares we were getting…no doubt it had something to do with Lori and I walking side by side without being at each other's throat.
Lori led me to an open space outside the Pack house where we found Tristan yelling out orders to the warriors. The training ground alone looked big enough to be a pack on its own.
“I'm just going to wait over there." Lori said, the same time Tristan's eyes landed on me. He jogged over to me immediately and he didn't hide his confusion.
“Are you okay, Luna?" He asked, looking around, “I don't think Alpha Zayne would want you to be here."
“I just want to ask you something…can you put a shirt on so we can talk?”
He smiled sheepishly, "is it distracting you? I know you find me irresistible.”
I rolled my eyes, “Oh, I've seen better…very much better.” I murmured, not taking my eyes off his body. The smile was quickly replaced by a frown.
"Since when did you become so mean?"
He finally pulled a shirt over his head before leading me towards a shed, where we both sat down. “What's going on with Zayne?" I asked, not wasting time. “I don't know if I'm over thinking things, but I can tell something is off…do you know anything about it?”
Tristan looked torn for a few minutes, "it's probably just his dad.” He replied, "he was here earlier…I'm guessing their conversation didn't end well."
I paused, he never mentioned anything about his dad coming and knowing how things went down with his mom, I had no doubt that whatever happened with his dad had something to do with me.
A wave of guilt washed over me again, my presence seems to be doing more harm than good. First it was his mom, now his dad. I didn't want to be the reason their family would fall apart.
My own mom was a lost cause but I know I would give anything to see my dad one more time.
I said goodbye to Tristan but just as I turned to leave, his voice stopped me. “What's that witch doing here?" He whispered, nodding towards Lori, whose head snapped to glare at him.
“Like I said, witch."
“She brought me here…we're kinda friends now." I told him, not taking my eyes off her and I didn't miss the smile on her face.
“I don't like the sound of that."
I just shrugged, “good thing I'm not asking for your opinion." I said, turning to leave before he could argue.
My heart felt heavier than before, as I went back into the Pack house with Lori and Mel walking behind me. Lori was the first to leave, saying she needed to get back to her friends but I barely acknowledge her
“I don't trust her, Luna." Mel said, once Lori was out of sight.
I turned to face her, my brows furrowed. "Why? She apologized…you were there."
She looked away, “I can't explain it but I just think she's up to something."
“You're probably right, but what if she's not?"
She opened her mouth to reply but she changed her mind. “I'm sorry if I overstepped, Luna." But I shook my head, assuring her that it was fine.
Instead of going back to the girls, I went to our room, throwing myself into bed, letting Zayne's smell settle around me like a blanket. It always calmed me down even when my mind wouldn't stop spinning.
But today, it barely helped.
My mind was coming up with crazy scenarios of what the conversation Zayne had with his dad was, to put him in a mood where for the first time since we got together, he didn't want to watch me fall asleep.
I wasn't sure at what point I fell asleep, but when I opened my eyes again, Zayne's arms were wrapped around me, warmth from him, engulfing me.
“Hey baby," I murmured, leaning closer towards him, the smell of sweat filled my nostrils.
“I'm sorry I made you worry.” He said, kissing my forehead.
I shook my head, "It's okay." I assured him. “As long as you're fine."
He sighed softly, “I don't know what I'll do without you."
"I guess we'll never find out.” I murmured, more to myself than to him.
I didn't want to know what I'll do without him.