Diamond in the Making

41. Her Inner Demise

♥ Nate ♥

There's a fine line between wrong and right and I know that I crossed the line.

Zara doesn't deserve any of this.

Somehow I managed to hurt the woman that I love more than anything.

She wasn't meant to find out. It was supposed to be settled before she even knew there was an issue. It was settled but there is always unaccounted revenge from someone.

The bitch was after me since day one. She just wanted to sink her claws into me and watch me bleed. I wouldn't let it happen, maybe that was my mistake. I wasn't gonna fall into an irreversible trap. I ripped her claws off of me but then she sunk them into the one person I care most about.

Daphne wanted me to herself and when she realized that wasn't going to happen, she made it so no one could have me.

She is a wolf after all and wolves are vicious.

I met her at a party that I now regret going to. She's obsessive, that's the only word I have to describe her. Once she saw me, she never let her eyes look in any other direction.

Her dad is the 'big bad wolf' and he would stop at nothing to make his little girl happy even if it meant making me miserable.

The wolves aren't a huge gang but they are powerful enough to be known.

When they approached my father for a partnership, he was quick to accept. There was a big price to pay with little to no reward. The exchange was simple; my freedom for their resources.

I played along for a while, I didn't have much of a choice. If I said no I risked losing my soon to be title as leader.

The game dragged on and Daphne just moved the pieces. She was a demanding 'fiancé.' The ring had to be made by Zara Wilson and only Zara Wilson. I thought it was an odd request but I found it less bizarre when I saw her talent.

Meeting Zara was a fluke. A happy accident but a sad coincidence.

I didn't feel the need to tell the intriguing woman of my newly engaged status because it wasn't permanent.

Maybe Daphne somehow planned this all out but I wouldn't think that highly of her.

I called the engagement and the alliance with the wolves off when they betrayed us. I don't know if Daphne had anything to do with the betrayal or if it was just her father's foolish mistake. Either way Daphne wasn't finished with me yet. She must have found out about my relationship with Zara which is why she went to get the ring. Her way of throwing one last punch.

That's how I ended up in this position.

I'm totally fucked.

I boarded the plane as soon as I could. Having that phone call with Zara killed me inside. At first I was confused since it was the store calling me but then I got excited knowing it was her. The tone of her voice dripped of despair and it tore my heart into pieces. Death is less painful than heartbreak and my heart broke for the pain she was feeling.

I couldn't just sit back on a five hour flight and do nothing so I sent Theo. I know he cares about her, we all do. He agreed to keep my engagement quiet since we both knew it wouldn't last long.

Theo called me saying he found her at the airport. I just wanted to get into her head, I needed to talk to her. From what he told me, she doesn't seem any less resentful since I last spoke to her.

I just want to hear her voice again. I want to hug her and tell her everything will be fine because she's all that matters.

The flight felt longer than usual and I rushed to see those green eyes that always seemed to stare into my soul.

Theo lost track of her whereabouts. I knew there were only three places she would wander to; her parents' house, her apartment, and her store. I had eyes on her parents' house at all times so that wasn't the place. I wanted to believe she wouldn't go alone to her apartment that Bradley has invaded multiple times. Roman went there to check while I drove eagerly to her store.

My adrenaline was pumping when I saw the back door wide open. She wouldn't be so reckless to leave it open so late at night.

Grunts of pain filled the air as I got closer. All my senses were on high alert. I quickly made sure my gun was loaded as I stepped in and prepared myself for the worst.

Zara laid on the floor cowering in defeat with a man standing over her. Without a second thought I shot him in the shoulder. Another man lay hunched over on the floor with a knife in his stomach. I admire Zara for getting this far in an escape. Two armed men, but why?

When I questioned the shot man he was hesitant but I wasn't in the mood for games. That's when he said it.

"Richards."

Richards is back for Zara but why? What does this man want from her? How can I protect her?

My mind was too busy running through plans to finally put Richards at bay when another gunshot sounded. Turning around I was faced with a dead man facing my direction holding a gun and Zara shakily dropping the gun in her hands. As sick as this may seem, I know she cares. She wouldn't have taken a life in exchange for mine if she didn't care.

"Not again," the grief was evident in her stuttered words.

Again. When it happens more than once does the guilt go away any faster? I'm numb to the guilt but Zara isn't. You can see it in the fear her eyes hold.

Her eyes stare at nothing. They are wide open. She's stuck in her mind. The lights are on but nobody's home.

I've been through this before. It's not easy to get over. The repercussions from your actions can consume you if you let them. I let them but I won't let her make the same mistake I did.

I took her home. She didn't make a sound on the way here and her eyes wouldn't move. I brought her into our room. I hope I can still call it 'our room' because it wouldn't be the same without her. She sat down on the bed and I sat next to her.

"Zara, do you want to talk about it?" I asked softly as I stroked her back.

She slowly fell into my touch, almost like she wanted to resist it.

"I'm here for you," I said reassuringly as I put my arm over her shoulder.

She rested her head on me. After a few minutes her chest started to heave. Her tears decorated my shirt and her broken sobs filled the silent room.

"I killed him," she said, pulling away slightly. "I killed another man," she lifted her shaking hands to pull at the roots of her hair.

I pulled her close to me and consoled her until she finally fell asleep.

No matter what, I promise myself that I won't let her go down the same rabbit hole I fell into. I'm with her until the very end, there's nothing she could do that would cause me to walk away.

There is nothing stronger than the connection I have with her.

————
The truth is out!😱
What do you think?