65. Some Painful Secret

**Third Person POV**

*Two days later…*

Ever since Maeve has woken up from the terrible incident, Xander has not left her side. His brother, Blaize, had to, literally, push him out of the room when he was stinking like a dog and sent him home for a few hours. But he rushed back to the hospital as soon as his business was done.
A small knock interrupted their conversation as Xander whipped his head around.
"Come in," he allowed.
The door opened, revealing a couple of known faces like Sedona's and Blaize's and someone she least expected to pay a visit. Xander's wolf was immediately alerted as his protective arm wrapped around his mate. His lips were pressed into a thin line indicating that he was not very happy with that person's presence.
But Maeve was feeling no such tightness. Probably, her pregnancy made her deliriously happy. "Where's Janelle? And how is she now?" She asked.
Kade took a few hesitant steps forward, flanked by Sedona and Blaize on his sides. He knew that he was not welcomed here by any means, but still, he had to try.
"She is doing better," he said. "I have come to offer my apologies to Alpha Xander and you. Janelle told me that you chose to save her before yourself when you got the chance, and I don't have words to express my gratitude."
It took some time for Xander to believe his words, but his wolf recognized the solemn words. Kade was not pretending but truly sincere.
"We don't want bad blood between the packs," Maeve said, stunning everyone in the room. "It's about time we settle for peace. I am sure that's the will of the Moon Goddess."
Perhaps, it was the pup inside her belly or the closeness to Xander, but she talked like a true shifter.
Alpha Kade smiled softly and then looked at Xander. "Alpha Xander, I might not have acknowledged this before, but you have found yourself a worthy mate. After all, what's an Alpha without his Luna?"
If Xander's chest could expand any wider, it would have. The wolf in him howled with pride and joy. "I couldn't agree more."
"I must take the leave now," Kade retreated a couple of steps. "We have to make preparations to return to our land."
"The hospitality of the Night Pride Pack is yours as long as you wish to stay. In fact, I would request it, at least, until your sister heals," Xander extended his courtesy.
"Thank you, Alpha Xander," he nodded in regard and then at Maeve. "Get well soon."
As soon as he left, Sedona closed the distance between them. "Maeve…" she trailed off, not knowing what to say or how to say.
"Sedona, I don't have words to begin. How about you help me out?" Maeve requested.
"Someday, when you are all healed and we have an entire day to ourselves, I will tell you the rest of the story with a cup of hot coffee and the best croissants in town." The women chuckled. "Until then, please rest and come back home. Everyone at the pack house is missing you." And Maeve missed them as well. In the shortest time, the pack became her family.
"Blaize," she grinned up to him, who was next in line to greet her.
"You scared the crap out of me, woman!"
"Aw! The big bad wolf missed me!" Maeve pouted and then laughed a sunshine smile. Their banter went on and on as Xander watched his perfect world unfurl in front of his eyes.

***

Sedona was not a woman who hid in the darkness. Significantly few people were aware of her strength and knew that she struck fear into the heart of others by her nature. She didn't need to think about hiding or escaping away, and yet today, she found herself sliding into the darkness and running away.
When has she gone from a strong-headed wolf to an escapist?
"You are leaving." The voice came out of nowhere, catching her off guard as the bag dropped from her hand.
"Xander!" She whipped around to find the Alpha standing right behind her outside the hospital. "Gah! You scared me." Sedona rolled her eyes and pretended to be pissed.
Xander's eyes narrowed down on the bag and then slid up to hers. "You are leaving Dylan, again." He didn't bother to frame this as a question.
Sedona pursed her lips for a long moment and avoided meeting his gaze. There was denying him anyway, so she gave up with a sigh. "Sometimes we do things not by choice but by rationality. This is the right thing to do."
"In which universe, leaving your mate is the right thing to do?" Xander enraged. "How many times will you break his heart until he stops breathing altogether?"
"Easy for you to say!" Sedona returned angrily, but the glassy eyes spoke volumes. "I came back because I had a responsibility, a duty to save Maeve and the supernaturals from being subjugated by Ametrine. I have done my part. I must return now."
"Sedona, Dylan will not be able to bear it," he softened his voice this time. "You will kill his wolf if he is betrayed the second again." Like she didn't know that.
Sedona choked on the threatening tears and shook her head. "I am not what Dylan needs. I can't ever give him what he craves."
"What does that mean?"
She went quiet again, but her lips keep trembling. The tears were freely falling as she quickly swiped a hand at it. "It means hybrids like me cannot conceive. Ever." Her voice was angry and broken. "We are abominations, okay? And as brave as I consider myself to be, I could never muster the courage to tell him that. Every full night moon we mated, he passionately made love to me, Dylan would expect that I would be carrying his pup by the next full moon. We tried for years and nothing happened. I can't see him in pain, Xander. I can't see the disappointment in his once again. Please, let me go."
The news shook his core. He understood her pain, but in order to save herself, she was willing to hurt Dylan as well. That did not sit well with him.
He crossed his arms across his chest. "You want to leave? Fine. As an alpha, I won't stop you even though I have every right and authority to do that. But I have one condition." Sedona widened her eyes. "Before you leave, you will bid a proper goodbye to your mate and you will tell him the reason. I will not escape in the middle of the night like a criminal because that's not what you are."
"Please, Xander…I…"
Xander silenced her with a determined shake of his head. "I am not taking no for an answer, Sedona. Dylan doesn't deserve this. His wolf doesn't deserve to be abandoned like this."
Sedona knew he was right, and she has no grounds for rebuttal. Dejected, she nodded slowly. "Okay. I will."