His Savior

The Cave

~Laslo~

               I didn't return to Zahara; I couldn't. I couldn't face her, knowing she knew my secret, a secret I had hoped would die with me. The night of the party, my intent wasn't to force myself onto Zahara. I had wanted to talk to her and just give her the opportunity to get to know me. I don't know why I did what I did, but I am thankful I was stopped before it went too far.

               I wonder how she realized it was me. I kept my scent hidden and stayed behind her the entire time. I didn't think anyone had any idea that it was me that night. It would have been a major scandal had it gotten out that a future Alpha forced himself on a she-wolf or attempted to. I took great care to make sure that it became a dead issue. It helped when Zahara didn't make any type of report. I always assumed it was because she didn't have anything to go on.

               The sun comes up quickly as I run through the woods. I know I can't stay away forever. I have to make sure everything is running smoothly at our satellite location, and I have to check in with the pack. The run was meant to give me a clear mind, though I can't say how clear it actually is. All I know is that I can't avoid Zahara forever.

               I shift back when I get close to the cave opening and grab a pair of shorts I left on the ground. There's some activity in these early morning hours, but many people are getting some rest. The cave has a small light by the opening, but the rest is dark. It doesn't matter since the dark doesn't keep up from being able to see. We didn't know how far they would come searching and didn't want to give them a starting point.

              I pop my head into different rooms and see that my mom is sleeping along with some warriors. We have been getting this cave outfitted for a while now, but I always hoped that I'd never have to use it. The fact of the matter is that I have done some shady stuff over the years, and things will eventually catch up with you. The good thing is that anyone who knew of the stuff I'd done is either dead or here with me. I don't have to worry about the pack finding out and shunning me. I need to take a minute to get some things straightened out, and then I will be back to Alpha duties.

               I pop into another room and see my mate is asleep. I really want to go to her and wrap her up in my arms, but I think better of it. I know she is still upset about the baby, and I need to give her more time to come to terms. Eventually, she will see how this was the best choice, and we can move on with our lives together.

               I make it to a room down the hall and see Zahara slumped on the chair she is tied to. I pull another chair and take a seat, watching her chest rise and fall with her breathing. If she would see that this is for the best, it would make things a lot easier for everyone. We could go back to the pack together and find a way to keep the elders out of the mix. "You know, the more you watch people, the creepier you get." I hold my breath in some foolish attempt to make her think I'm not there. "I know you are aware that I can smell you." Of course, she can scent me. I haven't suppressed my scent, and she is an Alpha herself. Her sense of smell is stronger than my own.

               "How are you feeling?" Zahara lets out a throaty laugh, but the humor is missing.

               "Why did you run out without answering my question?" Shit! She is still on that. I clear my throat.

               "What question?" I can almost hear Zahara roll her eyes even though she is still slumped and her eyes are closed.

               "So pathetic," she whispers, but it wasn't the type of whisper she expected me not to hear. "Why did you try to rape me that night at the party when we were in high school." I take a deep breath. "And before you bother.....spare me the whole 'what party', 'it wasn't me', 'how do you know who it was', and whatnot. I really don't have the energy for your bullshit." Damn, she got me there. I was definitely going to attempt to say all those things and then some.

               Zahara still hasn't moved, but I know that if I don't answer this now, it will come up again and again. "I wasn't trying to rape you." Zahara scoffs. "No, really. That wasn't my intent. That isn't why I went to the party, and it wasn't why I was looking for you there."

               "I imagined you would say many things, but I didn't consider you denying trying to rape me," I growl softly, wishing there was an easier way to get her to understand what was going on that night and the lack of control I truly had. "You just keep racking up the dastardly deeds. The attempted rape, kidnapping and holding your fated mate hostage, kidnapping and holding me hostage, attempting to kill Cory, killing your own child, and who knows what else." I growl out loud this time, a menacing growl. "See, this is who you are, the person that people see. You are all these things, yet you can't understand why people don't want to be bothered with you."

               I can feel the anger making my blood boil. I don't know why she feels like it's okay to speak to me how she does. I deserve a hell of a lot more respect that what she gives me. I stand up and kick the chair so hard that it hits the wall with a thud. The chair breaks into pieces, but the impact doesn't make Zahara move.

               I stand in front of her with my fist clenched at my side. Waves and waves of anger are hitting me, blinding me to only seeing red. "You want to hit me, don't you? You want to rip my tongue out so I can't speak anymore. Do it....go for it. Just keep in mind that no matter what you do to me, people will still see you the same way." I growl so fiercely that the room shakes, and I can see small pebbles fall from the ceiling. Zahara starts to laugh softly. "You are such a weak excuse for a man." I can feel myself lose control. I'm close to losing it when I hear the softest voice.

               "Laslo....." I huff toward Zahara and head out of the room she is in. I hear my name again, and I'm led to Nona's room. She is still asleep, so she must be dreaming about me. I stand in the opening and lean against the wall with my arms across my chest. She is really stunning, and I can't believe she is mine. I start to imagine all of the wonderful things that Nona could be dreaming about me. "Laslo...." Her voice makes me harder than one could imagine. "Laslo, I fucking hate you." My arms drop, and the anger comes flooding back. She hates me? It has to be a mistake. She has to be saying this just because she's still angry about the baby.

               I'm shaking in anger and really want to hurt someone. I feel a hand on my back, and it starts to make small circles. "Son, I think you should give these ladies some space. They will come around; just give them time."

~Cory~

               I took Flora back to the Ash Band Pack and got her set up in a room next to ours. Flora was exhausted and was out like a light the minute her head hit the pillow. Luna Amara said she would take care of her. I head to our room to shower and change. I don't bother to try and sleep because I know it would be a wasted effort.

               Once I change into some sweatpants and a t-shirt, I check on Flora again to make sure she is okay. I head out to the kitchen to find something to eat even though I really have no appetite. I have been without one since Zahara has been away. I really just eat these days to keep energy in my body, but that's it.

               Lennox comes running into the kitchen, looking exhausted. "We found something!" I don't bother to ask what was found. I stop what I'm doing and run out the back door after Lennox. I shift as soon I jump off the deck and follow Lennox into the woods toward the Wild Tail Pack.