Chapter 12: Turmoil

***Natalia***

Zane leaves to collect his things and Agnes from Nikki and Micah’s place, giving me the chance to really think about what I just agreed to.I head to the bathroom to splash cool water on my face and neck, letting out a huge sigh as I wipe the sweat from my brow.

My reflection mocks my pathetic situation, laughing at me for accepting yet another wolf into my life.

‘Don’t let him get too close” I remind myself.

‘ Every kind gesture, every kiss, every gentle caress of my face…it will all be a lie.He doesn’t really love me.He doesn’t care about me no matter how much he says he does”

Tears spring to my eyes as I think about all the times Christian looked me in the eyes with such false sincerity, professing his undying love for me all the while f*****g my sister behind my back.

Wiping the tears that stain my cheeks, I inspect my reflection, my eyes scrutinizing every imperfection.

Dark circles hug my eyes from my restless night.

Fearful that Zane would find me, I called out of work this morning, keeping Kota home instead of taking him to daycare.

Of course, my attempts proved futile.

The wolf found me without much effort.

‘I am not good enough to fall in love with anyways” I shrug to myself, drying off my face.

‘I couldn’t even keep my husband interested in me before he looked elsewhere…Perhaps Zane will also find me inadequate as a mate and move on as well..” I nod at my reflection reassuringly.

‘Yes.Sooner or later, he’ll stop liking me and I’ll be free”

Having given myself the pep talk of the century, I hurry to find little Kota playing in the backyard and call him to me.He happily waddles over to me with a grin on his face.

“Where’s Zane, mommy?” he asks, looking behind me into the living room.

“Can he come play with me?”

I crouch down and lift him into my arms, carrying him over to the living room and sitting him down on the sofa.I smooth down his hair and cup his chubby cheeks in my hands.

“Kota,” I say, forcing a smile for him.

“What do you think about Zane staying with us … just for a little bit?”

His eyes widen with joy.

“Yeah!” He cries, jumping up on his feet and clapping his hands.

“Yeah! Yeah! Yeah!”

“You like that idea?” I ask, raising an eyebrow at him.

Kota jumps onto the couch and bursts into laughter.

“Yeah,” he giggles, resting his chin in his hands.

“And what about Agnes? Can she stay here too?” I ask.

Kota bounces on his toes, shooting his fingers up in a happy I pout at him.

“I thought I made the best cookies…”

“No,” he grins, shaking his head and jumping up like a rabbit.

I feign hurt at his honesty and he rushes up to kiss me square on the lips.

“But Mommy makes the best pancakes!” He chirps.

Kota suddenly stretches out his arms like a plane and flies over to his toy chest, pulling out his favorite toy train and action figures.

“What are you doing?” I ask as he makes a small pile of toys.

“To play with Zane,” he shrugs as if that were the most obvious answer.

Worry fills my heart as I realize that Kota would be affected by Zane’s imminent departure.

I would need to do everything in my power to make sure Zane rejects me quickly and leaves us both in one piece.

“Remember, Kota,” I sigh, crawling over to him.

“He’s only here for a little while.He won’t be here forever.Entiendes? understand ?”I ask.

He nods and continues to make a pile of toys for Zane when he arrives.

Seeing no point in explaining any further, I rush off to the guest room and ensure it’s comfortable for Agnes, changing the sheets and myself to share my space with a man.

for Zane and make room in the

Queen sized bed

enough to fit us both but

of this man touching me in

wish their Moon Goddess would leave me be and not punish me so! I readjust the pillows and an

the sun begins to set in the horizon and a small part of

doorbell rings, my heart

finish cleaning up the bed and rush over to the door, taking a deep breath as

me, Nikki and

my saliva will soothe my dry throat, stepping off to the side to

what I assume are their belongings while Niki and Micah carry what appear to be shopping

the man

“You’re here!”

at the sight of my

had already won Kota over.Would I fall so easily for him too? *No, I shake

have to be strong

“Sorry we’re late,”

her to town to go

nod silently and lead Agnes to her room while Micah and Niki begin unloading the shopping bags in

the room, I turn to Zane and have

is your room” I

left you some towels on the bed.The bathroom is down the hall to

hate her.She was not my mate.She had not forced me into

widening as she

to Zane and he smiles

bed, shocked by how bouncy and comfortable it is, her hand feeling the soft fabric of the quilt I put on the bed for

at her eyes and rushes to hug me, my body stiffening It was just a simple room with a large window looking into the

wrap my arms

leaning

she crying?” He asks

for an explanation but he remains silent as ever, only patting

flushed pink

the room and begins

say curtly, gesturing to Zane and turning to leave Agnes

down and follows close behind me, Kota

my thoughts elsewhere as I feel the urge to turn around and

bond, I

at my room and

in the closet for you to hang your

bedding arrangement, I go

over there,” I smirk, pointing to the

at me completely dumbfounded at

“What?” I shrug indifferently.

It did not specify that we had

only assume is annoyance and nods solemnly, knowing he could

bad for making this small adjustment but it could not

to share my home with a wolf, a stranger no less, but I could not stomach the idea of sleeping in the

his entire species disgusted

now that the formalities are all out of the way, I will leave you to unpack,” I say, stepping around him and

with Micah in the living room, Kota inspecting the tattoos in Micah’s arms

chirps as he hears

his arm! Look! Look!” He

Micah’s

say, forcing a smile for his

okay?” Nikki asks as she comes in with the

friends were not who I thought they were.I decide

looking over at Kota who continues to stroke

Zane and Agnes?” I ask, clasping and unclasping

glances before Niki

know he’s

under my skin, not at their lie but at the fact

aspect of my life

us?” Niki asks, a

you or Kota any harm,” she adds quickly, as if to clarify

or Kota.” I

I won’t hurt

what every werewolf promised before they sank their teeth

mad at you,” I reply

on

packs nearby?” I ask, my

Crest wolves came looking for me.I

shakes

only wolves in Poulsbo.Nikki and I are rogues

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