Secrets Behind the Betrayal

Chapter 10

We spend all night tangled together. When we're not making love, we talk about everything. I tell him about home and my family. He shares his own memories of meeting my parents and getting to know the pack.

"I remember the first time I visited. My father was still Alpha at the time and I was in the process of meeting all of the packs under our jurisdiction. I was only about fifteen, but my father insisted on me going to the Black Shade on my own. Said it would do me some good," he says with an eye roll. "Gerard was so shocked to see me by myself, he called my father and tore him a new one for letting a child go so far by himself. He was more worried about me than my own parents. It was kind of endearing. As we were in his office, Jay came in with this stuffed wolf dragging behind him."

"I remember that toy. Jay carried it everywhere with him until he was thirteen," I say with a laugh.

He laughs at that. "It was quite cute. He was probably about eight, if I had to guess. He told Gerard he wanted to be a part of our meeting. The funniest part, before he could answer, guess who came waddling into the room?" He grins at me.

I put my hands over my face with a groan.

He laughs. "Little Zena. You came into the room, babbling the nonsense of a toddler, but I swear you were so bossy. You stomped your little feet over to me and demanded to be picked up. Your father couldn't apologize enough and he scooped you up before I could. It was the cutest thing. I was beyond fascinated with you. Even back then."

I lightly punch his chest and he laughs.

"What?" he says with mock exasperation.

I get on top of him, straddling his hips with my hands on his chest. "You're unbelievable," I say as I place a gentle kiss on his lips.

He smiles as I pull away. "It's the truth."

I roll my eyes, but smile back. I look out the window and notice the sun beginning to rise. I giggle a little, looking back down at him. "It's morning," I murmur.

He glances at the sunrise then back at me with a small shrug. "Time flies when you're having fun," he says, pulling me down to kiss me.

I pull away after a long moment, sitting up. "I need a shower and food," I say just as my stomach growls.

That makes him laugh and he nods. "We can make that happen. You go start showering, I'll let one of the Omegas know to bring up some food."

I place my hand on his cheek for a moment. "Thank you," I say before getting off of him.

As I get off the bed, he slaps one of my buttcheeks, making me jump a little. My face flushes red and I shake my head with a smile as I walk to the adjoining bathroom, closing the door behind me. I walk over to the sink, looking at myself in the mirror. The scars on my neck and arms have faded slightly, but they're still raised. I raise one hand to touch the scar around my neck and I cringe with the memory of it. I run my hand down my arm with a small sigh. I'm just turning to inspect the scars on my back when Noax walks in. I glance at him, then away, leaning against the sink with my back to the mirror. He walks over to me and places his hand gently on the scar around my neck.

"I hate that whole pack," he growls. "I hate that they hurt you and I hate myself for not saving you earlier."

I look up into his eyes, anguish and hatred swirling in their depths. I put my hand on his forearm, squeezing lightly. "It's not your fault. Please don't blame yourself. Rae warned me and I didn't listen."

He sighs and wraps his arms around me, pulling me close. "I can't help it. It's my responsibility to keep you safe. I should have gone to the Black Shade pack on your birthday. I knew you were mine. Your parents knew you were mine."