Chapter 13

The sky had turned from a beautiful blue with white clouds to a reddish orange, signifying it was evening. As I drove to the hospital, thoughts about Zariya made a home in my mind. The fear of what she could do bugged me continuously, and I hated it. I shook my head to shake the thought off and concentrated on the road ahead. I'd hate to hit an animal or worse, a person.

I parked the car and went into the hospital to check on Red and Logan. Red had refused to come home since what happened to Logan. She often slept in the hospital and Maya and Melody took turns in coming to stay with her and try to distract her from her worries. It was safe to say Ared was a mess.

I entered Logan's hospital room and shut the door behind me. As expected, Red rested her head on the bed whilst she held her mate's hand. The sleeping position was uncomfortable even for me who was watching. I wondered if I should wake her up. I did not know if she had slept last night.

I let her be and sat on one chair. Truth be told, I was glad the ichor was no longer in his system and at the same time sad he wouldn't wake up until weeks passed. No one knew the exact time he would wake up. I needed him by my side. I needed his advice and support.

Carter came into the room. He leaned against the wall, said nothing to me. I made no conversation, either. I wasn't really in the mood to talk to anyone. The silence remained for minutes as both of us just watched Logan sleep peacefully, his chest rising and falling. After a while, I got to my feet.

Carter spoke. "What will you do?"

I met his eyes. "What?"

"About Zariya." He said. "What will you do about her?"

I was silent.

"You don't have a plan?" I could hear the disbelief in his voice.

"The only thing I plan on doing is keeping all of you safe."

"How?" he pushed himself off the cream-colored wall with an icy expression. "How are you going to keep all of us safe when she was able to get to Logan and even hurt you?" When I didn't answer, he shook his head. "Unbelievable."

"I'm still going to try." My voice came out smaller than I had intended.

"Get it done already." His voice went a few octaves higher, waking up Red. "My mate is pregnant and I can't bear the thought of her or my child getting hurt because we're around you."

My heart sank. "What are you trying to say?"

"We'll leave."

"What?" Red stole the word from my mouth. "Carter, do you have any idea what you're saying?"

He ignored her. "I'm sorry, Val, but I don't trust you enough to keep us safe any longer. As long as we're around you, we're targets."

"Family sticks together, Carter." I reminded him. "You can't leave just because things aren't as rosy as they used to."

"That's bullshit and you know it. You and Melody have nothing in common, okay? You're not sisters, neither are you relatives of any sort. Melody's father was your father's gamma, and that's where the relationship ends. You're colleagues, not family. You just happen to live under the same roof."

His words stabbed me like thorns, yet I showed no weakness. "Where will you go?"

"Iceland." He answered. "We'll stay with Melody's parents until she gives birth."

I nodded, despite the ache in my chest. "Fine. Does Melody know?"

"N-Not yet." He tucked his hands into his pockets. "I just thought I'd tell you my plans."

"Well received." I averted my eyes to a dumfounded Red. "Take care of yourself. Don't worry too much."

"Y-yeah." She didn't look away from Carter.

I made my way out of the room and hospital. When I got home, I went to my study. I was in a lot of pain to exercise my frustration out, so I decided I'd drown myself in pack work. For hours, I didn't leave my seat as I signed and reviewed seemingly endless work. It was tougher because I had to do both mine and Logan's work. I only lifted my head when someone opened the door.

"I thought I'd find you here." Mel came into the room and sat across from me. "What's wrong?"

Carter hadn't told her about his plans, so I didn't mention it to her.

"Nothing." I lied, refusing to meet her eyes, "I'm just stressed."

"Did something happen at the hospital?"

"No."

"Val..."

I finally looked at her. "Nothing happened." My voice came out meaner than I had intended. I breathed deep when I saw the hurt on her face. "I'm sorry. I've had a long day."

Her visage softened. "Isn't that why we're friends? You can always talk to me about anything. I'll listen to you."

I was tempted to tell her about what her mate said, but I decided against it. It would only cause problems in their relationship. It'd be better if he told her himself.

"I'm fine."

She wasn't convinced. "I know it's a lie, but I'll let you off. I just need you to know I'll be here when you need me. Always."

I rose to my feet and said, "Let's not make promises, alright?"

"I mean it, V. I'll be here."

I nodded. "I know you will."

She followed me out of the study. As we neared the dining room, she remembered what it was she wanted to tell me at first. Hannah had left hours ago and so did Azura. She also reminded me of the pack training tomorrow. Since she was pregnant and Logan was in the hospital, I was in charge of it. Being Alpha was a pain in the ass sometimes.

The delightful aroma of chicken and waffles, buttermilk pancakes and beignet invaded my nostrils. They instantly made me salivate. Maya had set the table and made dinner with Drake's help. I had told her to hire someone to do things like this, yet she refused. She said she enjoyed making us meals, so I let her.

"You two are right on time." Maya spun with a plate of pancakes In her hand.

"Ooh, breakfast for dinner is my favorite." Mel sat in her usual spot.

When I made to sit down, Maya stopped me. "Why are you sitting?"

Confusion was apparent on my face as I stared at her. "I want to eat."

"Won't you call your man friend? Mavros? Go call him for dinner." She ordered, sparing me not a single glance. She faced me when I didn't move. "I mean it, Valeria."

I sat down. "He'll come down when he's hungry."

Maya went into mother wolf mode as she rested both hands on her face and summoned her most intimidating voice and expression. "Valeria Claire Romero, go upstairs and call our guest. Now."

"But-"

"Missy, the only butt I want to see is yours going up that stairs."

With a groan, I left the dining room and grumbled my way up the stairs. Colorful words slipped past my lips the closer I got to Mavros' room. Once in front of the room, I opened the door, not at all bothered to knock. I doubted he'd be home. I heard him leave my room earlier today.

"Mavros, Maya said to-" I paused when I saw he was fast asleep. I quietly entered the room and closed it.

One step after the other, I got close enough to the bed that I could see how his curly hair covered his eyes as he slept. I made sure to be as careful and stealthy as possible as I pushed his hair aside. His steady heartbeat and breathing confirmed he was really asleep. How he looked so handsome even while he slept was way past my mortal understanding. Just when I was about to withdraw my hand, he grabbed it and pulled me down.

He opened his eyes. "What are you doing in here?"

Like a deer caught in headlight, I was too stunned to speak. The feel of his hand on my waist made it even more difficult. I just gazed into his dark eyes.

"What are you doing here?" he let go of me and sat up.

"I, um, I came to er," I stumbled on my words and it made him smirk.

"You came to what?" he watched me intently, still not losing his smirk. "I'm listening."

I straightened out my shirt and boldness. I was an Alpha, for goodness' sake. "Maya asked me to call you down for dinner. I would not have come, but she insisted."

"Big, bold, Alpha Queen Valeria fears her sister." He joked.

"The all-powerful god of destruction fears his sister." I retorted with a satisfied smile on my face.

He frowned. "I do not fear Fitia. I respect her."

"I feel the same way about Maya."

He nodded. "That's fair."

"Now, come on. Maya hates to be kept waiting."

I pivoted on my heels and advanced for the door. When my hands touched the doorknob, Mavros' words halted me.

"I want to know something." I didn't have to turn to know he was now on his feet. "Turn around."

I did.

"What do you want to know?"

He closed the gap between us slowly, like he was stalking me. I felt like prey. "I want to know," he caged me with his arms by placing both hands on the door behind me. "How you feel about me."

With how close he was, the smell of him was hypnotic and it made my heart race.

"I don't know." I voiced out with my eyes zeroed in on his.

He said nothing concerning my response, but what he said next caused a fire to ignite in me. "I'm going to kiss you," he said. "Tell me if you don't want to."

My head was screaming no, no, no! My body said yes. My darn body needed to feel his lips. To know what he tasted like. I knew I was testing deep waters that could drown me, yet I said nothing. There was no protest, no refusal, and no denial. I stilled as his lips closed in.

The very moment his lips brushed over mine, my senses went into a state of overdrive and my toes curled. The feel of his lips moving against mine silenced every thought I had before I came into his room. I wanted more of this man. A half growl, half moan came from the back of his throat, sent shivers of pleasure, and I parted my lips to deepen the kiss.

I did not know if being mateless for a long while had affected my sense of reasoning because I sealed the little space between us, pressing my body against him. My hands found his hair. It was soft and silky, just like I thought. Maddening sensations crawled all over me, washing me with a sense of fear and lust.

Mavros' hands moved to my hips, and he lifted me up as if I were made of air. My legs wrapped around his waist. Our lips remained sealed. It was official. The water I was supposed to avoid was drowning me and I did nothing. I let it drown me entirely.

Awhile later, I was breathless. I pulled away and nestled my head in his neck. He held me, neither of us saying a word. It felt as though the kiss was a way of saying yes to Mavros. It was insane because I was about to get myself in trouble. Mavros sat me on the bed and sat beside me. I was too confused to speak.

He lifted my chin slightly. "Is something wrong?"

"I shouldn't have let you kiss me." I began, unable to meet his eyes. "It's wrong. Too wrong."

"There is nothing wrong with kissing someone." His hand found mine, and he squeezed for comfort. "Don't feel that way. Please."

"It's still wrong."

I got up from the bed and left his room. Unconsciously, I touched my lips as I went down the stairs to join the others. Carter and I locked eyes. He looked away first. Maya watched me with hawk-like eyes as I went to my sit.

"Well?" she asked.

"What?"

"Will he come?"

"Yeah, I guess."

Fortunately, Mavros came down. Throughout dinner, I didn't say a word. I was afraid I'd say something that would give away what happened up there. Despite my silence, I could feel their eyes stab me. I ignored them. If I didn't talk, they could probably smell him on me. It made me self-conscious.

"Thank you for the meal." My chair protested against the tiles when I pushed it back to allow myself to get up.

I grabbed my plates and disappeared into the kitchen. After washing them, I walked as fast as my legs could take me. I didn't need anyone asking me questions. The minute I was in my room, I jumped on my bed, laid on my back and stared at the ceiling as though it was the night sky.

"Has Aspro told you why he came back after two years?" Mavros' words from the first night we met echoed in my head.

"When I first met you as Valeria Romero, you were going through a tough time. I couldn't just waltz in and say we loved each other in your past life. I would have looked like a fool. And now, I just came to the mortal realm today. When exactly did I have a chance to tell you?"

A part of me felt like I had cheated on Aspro. He loved me. He was there for me. His brother... I wasn't so sure. This was messed up. Whether or not I wanted to admit it, I needed both brothers around. Aspro was someone I could rely on when things got hard and his brother, the one who made me smile when I was down. It was hard.

One thing was certain, though. Loving either of them would only end with me getting punished.

Come to think of it, Zariya's threat existed. Bear a child with Aspro or watch the people I love die.

Truly, I was in a mess.

A mess I couldn't easily walk out of.

FML.