Chapter 333
WILLA
I turned my head just enough to read the message from Lucian that popped up on the screen.
I saw the blog post. Know who posted it? Tell me. I swear on my life I'll make them pay.
I picked up the phone, closed my eyes to compose my thoughts.
I typed, Doesn't matter. They're not wrong.
I threw the phone away from me, heard it fall somewhere. Whether the edge of the bed or the floor, I wasn't sure.
I didn't care anyway. I turned, faced the other side of the bed and closed my eyes.
Some time later, I had no idea exactly when, there was a knock on my door. My wolf, silent all this time, stirred restlessly. It was Lucian again.
I squeezed my eyes shut so tight I saw red behind my eyelids.
Lucian kept knocking.
Please go away, I said in my head. Please leave me alone.
"Willa?"
His voice came floating through the door.
"Willa? Are you in there? Open up. Please."
I heard him jiggle the doorknob. Had I locked the door when I had come in?
I couldn't remember. Everything I had done since leaving coming here seemed hazy.
Outside, I heard Lucian swore under his breath and then the door jerked open. I turned quickly on my side, glaring at him, telling him with my eyes to leave.
He took a quick look around the room, saw me in bed and came forward holding something up in his palm. His phone. He looked angry.
"What is this Willa?" he said, hissing the words through his teeth. "How can you say they're not wrong?"
"Go away," I said in a tiny voice as I fought back tears.
His gaze softened. "I'm not going to leave even if you throw me out. And you're wrong. These people writing these lies don't know you. They don't get to define you. What they think about you means nothing. You hear me? Absolutely nothing."
I gulped, tried to swallow past a lump in my throat.
"Then why does it hurt so much?" I asked him and pressed my hand to my chest.
Lucian got on the bed, gently pulled my hoodie down. He stroked my hair.
"It hurts because you care," he said softly, combing his finger through the strands.
I shook my head. "I don't want to care, but I can't help it."
"Sssh. It's okay. Caring makes you strong, not weak. It may not seem possible now but I swear you'll get through this. I'll be there with you every step of the way."
He planted a kiss on my sweaty forehead.
The last of my resistance broke. I had thought I was all cried out. I was wrong.
Now I felt tears I was helpless to stop welling in my eyes.
My breath hitched. A sob tore through my throat and then I was crying so I hard I was shaking.
I struggled to catch my breath. Lucian pulled me up and into his arms.
I clung to him fiercely and wept.
"There there," he crooned. "Let it all out, sweetheart. Let it all out."
He held me until the tears first tapered off and then stopped. He placed his hands on my shoulders, held me at arms length and looked me full in the face.
"Tell me," he said. "Have you had anything to eat this afternoon?"
I reluctantly admitted I hadn't.
"What you need is some good hot food inside you," he said in a tone that brooked no argument.
He made me some noodles, set it before me and watched me eat every last bite.
"Good," he said as he took the used dish away. "Feel better?"
"A little," I admitted, My voice was cracked and hoarse from crying.
He came to sit by me again and took my hand.
"I talked to Theron earlier," I told him.
A muscle jumped in Luciana's jaw but he sounded composed enough when he said, "What did you talk about?"
"What happened. I told him he could only continue to be my friend as long as he didn't interfere in our relationship anymore."
Lucian's grip on my fingers tightened. He blinked.
"Our relationship?" he whispered. "Do you mean..."
"I mean that even if what you did was shitty, I still want you. I'm hoping we can forget the past and move on."
"Oh Willa," Lucian breathed shakily. He got off the bed, went down on one knee. His eyes shone with relief as they looked up into mine. "That's all I've ever wanted. To be with you. I promise I'm a changed man now. Please... please let me love you."
"Yes," I said and swiped at a tear. "Yes, I will."
Lucian's fingers curled around my jaw. He pulled my face to his and kissed me long and hard.
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