Secrets Behind the Betrayal

Chapter 4

I sit on the side of the bed, swinging my feet through the air as I wait for Katherine to come in. It's been a few days since I was attacked and my body feels almost back to normal finally. Today is the day I get the cast removed, which means that Rae can finally stop pacing and get some free time in her own form.

I look up as the door opens and Katherine comes in, followed by Neo. I'm only mildly surprised to see him. We haven't spoken since I shut down his advances, but I know he's been itching to talk to me about reconsidering. I still haven't made up my mind about what the goddess told Rae.

I mean, yeah, I could always get the luck of having a second chance mate, but the odds of that are almost impossible.

I shake my head slightly, trying to clear my thoughts.

"Everything okay?"

I meet Katherine's gaze and smile. "Everything is great."

She looks unconvinced, but doesn't push the issue. Coming over to the bed, she slips on a pair of gloves and inspects the cast on my arm. She nods to herself and grabs a small saw. Turning it on, she easily cuts through the hard plaster. Setting the instrument aside, she picks up a pair of scissors and cuts through the gauze underneath. Carefully, she begins to pull the cast open and slips it off of my arm, throwing it away.

I flex my hand, rotating my wrist several times, enjoying the feeling of being able to move those muscles again. I clench and unclench my fingers. Katherine grabs my hand gently and inspects my arm, looking over the scars where the bite wound had been. She takes a moment to look it over and nods, releasing her grip.

"You're good to go. It might still be a little weak for a couple of days, but you're good to shift whenever."

"Thanks, Katherine," I say as I stand up, still avoiding Neo's gaze.

She smiles and, without saying anything, she turns and walks out of the room.

I stand up and go to leave, but Neo steps in front of me.

"Can we talk?"

I look up at him, wishing I could reach out and touch him. I don't want to give him false hope. "Of course. Do you mind if we go outside? I'm sick of seeing the inside of this clinic."

He nods and leads the way out of the clinic and through the back door. The yard stretches out for what seems like forever before reaching the edge of the forest that surrounds the house. I can't help but admire the beauty of their property.

He notices me gazing in awe and smiles.

I blush a little and turn my face away. "What do you want to talk about?"

"You know what."

I look at him, pain twisting my stomach into knots. "Neo..."

He grabs my hand, sending jolts of electricity through my body. "Just hear me out, Zena. Please."

I shake my head, gently pulling my hand away. I immediately long for his touch again, but keep my distance. "I've already explained myself. I'm just not ready."

"That's such a poor excuse!" His voice is full of hurt and anger.

I flinch away slightly, not daring to meet his eyes. "I'm sorry."

"Bullshit! You're avoiding this for some reason that you're not really telling me."

I snap my gaze up to meet his, narrowing my eyes. "You want my real reason?" I growl, my voice low. "It's not me, Neo. It's my wolf. She wants me to reject you." The words leave my lips before I have a chance to think and I immediately regret everything.