Chapter 59

Chapter 59
Talia

Zade sat with me whilst I cried and cried and cried, holding me and rubbing my back when I needed comfort. He didn’t once call me pathetic or emotional, or even delusional. He just let me cry and told me that everything would be ok as long as I had him around.

He didn’t coddle me, but he didn’t leave me to cry alone either.

He told me that now we had a connection he was never going to leave me again, not today, not tomorrow, not even next month. He would stay around for as long as I needed him, and he would help me get the therapy that I desperately needed to get over the trauma I had faced.

He repeatedly told me that it wasn’t my fault the alphas were fighting, and that it wasn’t my responsibility to make them see eye to eye, that was their choice, and they should want to do it for me if they cared about me at all.

I didn’t know how to handle all the attention he was giving me, and I certainly wasn’t ready for the softness in his voice. It was easy to see that he cared about me, even if he didn’t know me too well.

It was also clear that he was trying to understand my needs and my feelings. He didn’t care that the alphas weren’t getting along with each other, but he cared that it affected me so heavily. He said that all he wanted was for me to be cared for and loved, and once I had that, he could leave me alone.

But until then he was sticking around, for as long as I wanted him. He didn’t believe that either Alpha loved me, even though I told him that they weren’t all bad, from what I knew.

“I wish I could tear the mate bond away from them for what they’ve done.” He growls, giving them both a very pointed, aggressive look.

The fighting had ended a few moments ago, both alphas dropping to the ground and sitting there silently, their heads bowed. They seem to have released what they’ve done wrong, but I’m not ready to talk to them just yet.

I asked them not to fight, but they ignored me, multiple times. I pleaded with them, and they still ignored me.

They care more about their pride as men than the manage they are doing to their mate, and that hurts. A lot. A mate is supposed to love and care about you no matter what, they’re not supposed to make you fall back into the trap within your own mind.

They both know that fighting triggers me, and they did it anyway, they hurt each other, and for no reason at all.

I don’t think I can forgive them, not yet anyway.

Tristan looks over at me, “I’m sorry love.” He says softly, “I didn’t think how it would affect you.”

“You’re damn right that you didn’t think.” Zade shouts, rising to his feet, his fists clenched. “She nearly passed out from sheer panic alone, you knew she’s fragile about this kind of thing and you ignored her pleas for you to stop.”

Silas looks just as guilty, but he doesn’t speak, he just watches me silently, as though searching for a way out of the mess he created.

“Please Talia.” Tristan says, his voice more desperate. “You need to forgive me, I didn’t mean to hurt you like that.”

I say nothing, what could I possibly say to make him realise how much he has hurt me?

How can I explain the betrayal I feel in my heart?

“You’ve said enough.” Zade snaps, “it’s time for you to shut up.”

Tristan walks towards me, his arms outstretched, “Talia, just let me comfort you, let me show you that I care.”

“I don’t want to talk to you right now.” I say, slowly standing up and heading for the door, trying to get as much space between Tristan and I as I can get. “You need to figure out what’s going on between the two of you, and you need to do it soon because one more incident like this and I’ll leave with Zade.”

Tristan looks shocked, hurt and heartbroken all at the same time, maybe now he knows how that feels. I don’t want to fight with him, or with Silas, but they need to sort their shit out before I’ll even be in the same room as them again.

“Talia wait!” Tristan calls, trying to follow me.

Silas stops him with a hand on his shoulder, “let her go.” He says quietly, “she needs space and we need to give her it.”

Tristan looks back at him and nods, his shoulders sagging in defeat.

Zade follows me out of the room, gently taking my hand, “I’ll always be here.” He says again, “no matter what you need, you can come to me, and I’ll make it happen.”

“Thank you.” I whisper, though I’m not entirely sure which part I’m thanking him for. “You’ve helped me a lot.”

He smiles down at me, he’s taller than our father, much taller, at least over six foot five.

I never realised before now, but when he smiles he has the same simple on his left cheek as Aria does. He’s gentle like her, maybe I’m just the odd one out, I have a harder shell and I don’t let people in.

I try to be kind to people, but it always seems to backfire and someone I care about gets hurt. Every time I tried to protect Aria, I failed. I did my best, but it was never good enough.

“Let’s go and see Aria.” I say with a smile, trying to cheer myself up as I guide Zade towards the door, “I think she’s going to love you.”

“I think I’ll love her too.” He says with a smile just as bright as my own.

I hope Aria likes him, because it seems like he’s going to be around for a while to come.

And I’m not sure I have a problem with that, it’s nice to have someone on my side, even for a little while.

I’ve never been able to rely on blood family, maybe Zade can change that.