Chapter 65 You came
ZORA
I was in my room as usual when Courtney came into my room that afternoon, and her face was a little pale like she had been struggling with an emotional battle, on maybe whether to come or not?
I frowned at her.
"Courtney....."
She closed the door behind her and rested her back on it while folding her arms, and by that, I could just tell that she wanted something that she didn't want me to do.
Was she being coerced into doing this? Was it Ryker?
“Lucas asked me to come to you,” she started, her voice was way softer than usual, almost cautious. “He said he wants to see you.... one last time.”
My heart skipped as I remembered how the last meet-up ended in a kiss that I felt bad about, but I kept my face neutral, “One last time?”
“Yes.” Courtney said, as she came closer and sat on my bed, her eyes searching mine. “He said he’s leaving soon, but before he goes, he wants to take you out, just like he asked you the last time you guys saw and you ran away without giving him an answer.”
I pressed my lips together, and my chest felt heavy because I didn’t know what to say.
Courtney sighed and came closer to me on the bed. She then reached for my hand. “Zora, maybe you should go at least just this once. You do know that you owe him that much, don’t you?”
Her words hit me in a place I didn’t want it to. Well, maybe I did owe him, after everything, and after how much he had cared when no one else did.
No, she was right, I owe him.
I closed my eyes for a second, then opened them.
“Fine,” I said softly. “I’ll go.”
Lucas was waiting outside the pack house when I stepped out later in the evening. His eyes literally lit up when he saw me, but I saw that he was trying to keep a calm facade.
He offered me his arm, and I hesitated only a second before taking it.
“You came,” he said quietly.
“I came,” I replied, my voice was low, I really didn't want to be here considering how bad I felt about the situation.
He didn’t push for a conversation so we walked in silence until we reached the small town that was nearby, the lights from a little restaurant spilled onto the street and said that the light caught his attention so we decided to go there, He held the door for me, and I walked in.
The smell of food, the hum of voices, the faint music in the background, all of it did not matter.
Lucas ordered something, though I didn't notice what exactly. When we sat down, his eyes stayed on me, and I could feel the intensity of them.
“So,” he said finally, his voice gentle. “What do you say, Zora? I'm sure Courtney told you that I said I was leaving?”
I looked at him, really looked at him. His face was familiar and safe. It also looked tired and rough.
While he was busy searching and worrying about me, I was get screwed.
“Where are you going?” I asked because I really wanted to know if it was far enough for him to start over.
He smiled a little, though it didn’t reach his eyes. “Far away from here and away from all this.”
“And what will you do there?” I pressed.
“Live, I'm going to try to live.” His voice was low, almost breaking.
I swallowed hard. “Then don’t wait for me, Lucas.”
His eyes narrowed slightly. “I should not wait?”
“Yes.” My fingers twisted on my lap. “If I ever manage to leave this place, and if you’re still alone, then maybe, maybe we could start all over again, but don’t wait for me.”
His jaw clenched, but I kept going because if I stopped, I’d never say it.
“There’s too much at stake here, my children, the mate bond between werewolves. Do you even know about mate bonds, Lucas? Werewolves don’t just choose. It’s... it’s something that ties you, body and soul.” My voice cracked.
“If I reject Ryker again, I don’t know if I’ll be able to survive it because my wolf is already too weak as it is.”
Lucas froze.
He just stared at me like he didn’t recognize me.
His eyes burned through me, but he didn’t say anything, not right away.
Finally, he leaned back in his chair, his voice was calm, but I could see the emotions he felt. “So that’s it?”
“Lucas..”
“No, it’s fine.” His lips curved in a smile.
“It’s fine, Zora. I want to take you somewhere else before I go. Can I?"
I hesitated but then nodded slowly.
We left the restaurant after we ate something, the night was cool, and the road he led me through was quiet.
We passed through the woods, the sound of our steps crunching on the ground.
“There’s a garden I found,” Lucas said, his voice lighter now as he described where we were going “Wildflowers everywhere and a breathtaking waterfall, I just thought you’d like it.”
I almost smiled because it sounded like something he would say. Something sweet and harmless.
So I just followed him now intrigued by the place without seeing it.
When his hand brushed against my waist, I stiffened but didn’t move away. It felt too familiar, too much like a past that still lived inside me. My throat tightened, but I stayed silent.
But then,
The weight of his hand suddenly fell away.
I stopped and turned because I was confused.
And then I saw what would forever be engraved on my mind."
Ryker stood behind him, his eyes burning with fury.
In his hand,
Oh goddess,
In his hand was Lucas’s heart, still dripping blood and beating faintly before it stopped.
My breath caught in my throat.
I couldn't scream.
Ryker threw Lucas heart to the ground like it was nothing with his eyes locked on mine.
I stared at him in horror.
Did that just happen?!
His chest rose and fell with anger. His voice was low, dangerous, and filled with everything I despised right now.
“I told you no one touches you, and if anyone did, their blood would be on your hands.” He took a step closer, his gaze pinning me in place. “How did you forget that, meiga?”
My whole body shook, my lips parted, but no words came out.
The scent of blood filled the air. The sound of my pulse thundered in my ears. And Ryker’s eyes, those dark, burning eyes, held me captive, daring me to give him a reply.