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23

23 - Charred Silences

ZARA

"Well, you must have amazing powers of persuasion," Rebecca said once the door was shut, and she was released from my hold. A sly grin played on her lips as she made her observation, and I couldn't help but roll my eyes in response as I made my way to sit on the edge of the bed.

"The guy said Alpha Haden gave the okay for me to come see you. I can't believe you have the scariest Alpha wrapped around your little finger!" Rebecca continued, her voice dripping with amusement. "This is crazy."

I couldn't help but chuckle, although I was quick to defend myself, "I don't have him wrapped around my finger. This is his way of getting back in my good books. If he thinks it's going to be that easy, he can think again."

"Well, I can't say I object. It's better than being in a cell," she mused, hopping into the bed with me.

"I hate that," I frowned, the frustration of her being imprisoned all this time gnawing at me. "You shouldn't be in a cell facing the worst."

Rebecca shrugged, her grasp on my hands tight and reassuring. "It isn't so bad. I mean, sure, it would be nice to be out and running about, but they treat me well. The food is amazing; I was surprised at the quality but then a few of the other rogues mentioned that the cook upstairs is amazing. She doesn't care if you're a rogue or not; she keeps you fed and fed good."

Her words eased my fears and warmed my heart.

"But the Alpha didn't just bring me here so we can talk about me. Don't think I missed the little interaction between you two. What gives?"

A sigh escaped my lips, and I reluctantly opened up about the complicated situation between Haden and me. Rebecca listened intently, her hazel eyes filled with understanding, uncertainty, and outrage as she absorbed every detail.

"The thing is, I'm not angry at Natalia," I explained, my voice tinged with weariness. "She didn't do anything wrong, and you know how much I hate women who blame the other woman for her man's actions. There should never have been a reason for her to even think there was something going on, especially if you kissed me the night before."

Rebecca's disapproval was palpable. "It sounds like he didn't even break things off with her. What an ass."

I agreed, nodding with a somber expression. "He is, which is why he's going to have to make up for it, big time."

"But?" Rebecca prompted, her curiosity unmistakable.

A brow raised. "But what?"

She scoffed.

"I know you well enough to know there's a but coming, now spit it out,"

I hesitated for a moment before continuing, "But me finding my mate doesn't change the fact that I have to keep running. You know what he'll do when he finds me."

We shared a knowing look, the haunting memories of my past flooding back. The relentless pursuit of the man who had killed my family, and later, my unwitting acceptance of Haden as my mate, had haunted me for years. He wouldn't stop hunting me.

Rebecca tried to offer words of reassurance. "He hasn't found you yet; I don't see why he should now. Don't worry about it."

I chuckled and playfully shoved her. She wasn't lying. She was one of the only people left who knew me well enough.

"But me finding my mate doesn't change the fact that I have to keep running. You know what he'll do when he finds me."

We both shared a look, the memories fleetingly fogging our minds, a hint of fear having my stomach in knots. The ghosts of the past would always haunt me, threatening the level of normalcy I had built for myself. No matter where I went after all this time, he still found me. I had spent ages chasing after one ghost - the man who killed my family - but when I gave that part of my life up, I welcomed another phantom in my life without realizing it.