Zone Zero: Vengeance (Book 3 of 3)

Chapter 3

I lie awake with Alex nestled close to me, his massive arm laying across my waist as I stare up at the ceiling. The stark white paint above me is all I see as I stare blindly towards it from my place in bed.

The room is dark from the blackout blinds and is the same one I spent some nights here when Alex first brought me to Amelia's nightclub before taking me to the lake house.

I want to be at that lake house so badly right now. I want to be with Alex there in our own personal heaven. I want to bask in the northern lights each night and make love under the stars. But most of all, I want to be rid of all of this fear and finally be free with the man I love.

I look over to Alex and find him sleeping soundly with the faintest of snores wafting from him. I can't help the smile that tugs at my lips right now.

The smile soon falters as I think about who else is in this loft right now. Amelia and Etu retreated back to Amelia's apartment not too far from here leaving the second bedroom available. Sabina and Leif were quick to stake a claim to the vacant space.

When Alex and I decided to retire to our room Sabina had already closed herself into the other bedroom while Leif took a space on the couch with his wolf at his feet.

Somehow having Leif and his wolf Odin here does not bother me. The fact that Leif put aside an obvious quarrel with Alex and came to offer a helping hand makes it a little easier to trust him. But Sabina is another story.

Why would she stay if she won't side with us and fight against Cail? Why come at all?

So many questions swirl through my mind and until I get answers, sleep may never come.

I decide to gently slide out from under Alex's large frame and leave him to his slumber. I need a stiff drink of something strong and alcoholic to take the edge off the tension and anxiety that I am feeling in this moment.

As I exit the room and close the door softly behind me I notice that the door to Sabina's room is open wide.

Huh, maybe she left?

I descend the stairs and hear a loud snore from the leather couch in the living area and know that Leif must still be here.

When my feet touch the last step a snarl is heard from the belly of the beast. Odin is standing in front of me with a small scowl on his face. He doesn't bare his teeth though, only watches me unsure of my actions.

"Can't sleep either?" I ask him with a touch of uncertainty in my voice. I just hope he doesn't sense how on edge I feel being alone with this wild animal.

Odin inches closer to me and I notice his ears soften as well. He no longer looks unsure of me.

I decide to press my luck and reach my hand in front of me, stopping just shy of touching him so that he can make the next move. Just as anticipated, Odin sniffs my hand curiously. What I didn't anticipate was him stepping into my hand so that I could rub his head gently.

I smile as my fingers run through the soft fur on his head and watch in awe as his eyes close to savour the moment.

"Well, that's something I have never seen before. That wolf has only ever let Leif touch him." Sabina's words fill the air causing both Odin and i to turn our heads in unison.

Sabina is standing by the black baby grand piano with her fingers lingering on the ivory keys.

"You definitely seem to be full of surprises." She continues as I watch silently. "Couldn't sleep?"

I don't give her a reply. Instead I stay stone-faced.

"I'm not much of a sleeper myself. I only sleep a few hours every few days or so. A consequence of being wary of enemies my entire life."