“Ok… let’s eat,” I say, hoping the food distracts them from the intense eye lock between them.


    “So now the car crash makes sense. What exactly are you involved in that is putting Valerie in danger?”


    Atticus growls just as I te the grilled chicken.


    “Atticus…” I say, feeling a sting at his words, pausing from what I’m doing and looking over at him.


    “Please.”


    “Let him say what he needs to. Once it’s out of his system, he might be ready to actually fucking listen


    and then feel like an idiot.” Zade says quietly, his hand now cupping the back of my head as his fingers


    tangle in my hair, and he turns my head to face him just as I eat a bit of chicken.


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    I think Atticus growls, but I’m not sure… distracted by the man looking at me. My heart skips a beat, far


    too enraptured by Zade, and it’s crazy how just being in his presence messes with my mind. He doesn’t


    say anything, simply staring into. my eyes intensely for a few moments.


    My throat feels dry and I swallow, wanting him to kiss me, but instead, he simply massages the back of


    my head with his fingers for a second before he lets go of


    1. me. T


    It takes me a moment to focus on what we were talking about. Whatever Zade just pulled there has left


    me feeling hot and bothered. I shake my head, fanning my face. “This chicken is hot.”


    “I’m sure it is,” Zade says, pouring me some water and cing the ss in front


    of me.


    “Thanks.”


    “I will say what I need to because if you’ve somehow made her forget that you were the one who


    killed-”


    “Atticus, stop.” I close my eyes, knowing what he’s about to say. “We were in battle, we killed them –


    they killed us… two sides at war…. Don’t do this.” I whisper pleadingly, feeling the ache inside my


    chest once again.


    “Are you telling me that, or trying to make yourself feel better?” Atticus asks softly, his eyes burning into


    mine.


    Maybe if that question had been posed to me a few weeks ago, I would have doubted it and the


    thought would have stung, but there’s nothing but rity in


    +10 BONUS


    my mind now.


    “I’m telling you because it’s not only what I believe, but the truth. I’m not justifying what he did. There


    was a battle, and there were casualties. Jai did what he knew best. He protected Alpha Hugh. He died


    a hero, and I will always love him and respect that.”


    His frown softens, and I nce at Zade for a second before looking back at Atticus. “But I need you to


    trust me. I’m happier than I have been in years.” I whisper.


    He looks down, and when he looks back into my eyes, there’s a sadness in them. ” I wish I could have


    done more for you,” he says.


    I shake my head. “You have been an incredible brother, and I will always need you, Atticus,” I say,


    standing up and walking around the table. I hug him from behind, resting my cheek against his. ‘Really.


    I mean it, you have been my support when I’ve been at my lowest. You did more than anyone else. I


    love you Atticus.‘ I whisper through the mind link.


    He ces a hand on my arm, giving it a gentle squeeze. ‘But him?‘ he asks. ‘Did he really protect


    you?”


    ‘Someone is after me or more like after our kind and that’s something I do need to talk to you about, but


    yes, he has done nothing but protect me, even when I’ve only hurt him. He might act like he doesn’t


    have a caring bone in his body, but he does. He truly does and I think I’m already in love with him.‘ a


    I can sense Atticus’s surprise as he stares across at Zade and even my heart is thudding at what I’ve


    just said, but… I think I do…


    I nce over at Zade, my heart racing, and I suddenly feel a little dizzy at the thought.


    “I really don’t see what you love about him.‘ Atticus states, bringing me from my


    reverie.


    Seriously? Is he for real? Zade is the sexiest man I’ve seen, and he doesn’t even need to try.


    ‘Well, aside from being drop–dead gorgeous, he looks out for me, and he cares for me.‘ I say. Atticus


    looks up at me and I smile warmly at him, hoping he understands that.


    He sighs and nods. ‘I’ll try to be mindful. You’re old enough to make your decisions and you have


    always had your head screwed on right. It’s going to be hard, but I’ll try.”


    +15 BONUS


    I smile, hugging him tightly, or almost choking him.


    “Thank you!” I say, before I let go of him and hurry around the table, hugging Zade around the


    shoulders and kissing his cheek before I sit down, feeling relieved.


    “Now then, shall I fill you in? Or do you have anything else to throw my way?” Zade asks, his eyes


    trained on Atticus as he loosely ces his arm around my shoulders possessively, tugging me a little


    closer to him, his hand resting against my breasts.


    Atticus frowns slightly before he nods. “No. I’m done unless you mess this up. So, yes, please do fill me


    in, because I was going out of my mind with worry.”


    Moonlight Muse Author


    Thank you for reading. I’ve caught whatever my son had, but I will update when I can


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