She twisted around with wide eyes. âHow did you find me?!â
"What? Did you think it'd be hard?â Zayd sighed, tightening his grip around her wrist, âI'd been
watching you suffer for hours, forcing yourself to run as though your life depended on it. I
considered letting you go, Quinn... really did. I mean, you tried so hard to get this far, but I can't,
not when you're like this.â
He stepped closer to her, placing his hand against her forehead. âYou're burning up... figured you
were."
âNo I..."
âI only got tricked once by your little diversions, after that, I followed the scent that kept getting
weaker and not the ones that remained stagnant. It was a sensible trick that might've worked if you
could move a little faster. But in this form, you're not fast enough, Quinn. Your struggle humbled
me, I kept reminding myself that you're the same girl who killed four rogues in one night and left
with just a single scratch, tried telling myself that you're strong and you could survive without me...
that you'd be happier without me. But I-1 can't let you go like this, Quinn.â
His forehead fell against her shoulder as he sucked in a shaky breath. âStay with me for as long as it
takes you to heal. You can leave when you're better, I'll search for and find the courage to let you go
then...please...â
Quinn stood speechless in her spot, even when she felt his tears wetting her shoulder. His words
weren't comforting at all, they made her helplessness even more blatant. The fact that he had to
remind himself that she was strong and the fact that he felt like she couldn't live without him
strained her pride.
She wanted to delude herself into thinking sheâs still that girl, but in truth, she wasn't the girl who
could kill more than just four rogues in one night...and she wasn't strong, at least not anymore.
âCome on, Quinn.â He turned his back to her, giving her no room to argue, and Quinn hesitantly got
on, her hands caging his neck and her legs crossing around his thighs. âTell me if it gets worse. I'll
stop...â
Quinn didnât want to acknowledge the way her heart kept palpitating at the care and concern in his
words.
This was the second time the alpha king had gotten down on his knees in front of her and both
times, it felt the same. It made her feel like she was his equal, like he was barely a rank above her,
and the fact that he was not begging for help, but begging to help her...it was...astounding.
His words had always been a surprise to her...they always made her speechless.
âYou know...â Quinn started. âYou don't have to be so nice to me, especially if it's because of pity.â
Zayd's hands closed beneath her bum, a harmless act to keep her from falling. âIt's not pity, Quinn...
it's love.â
Again, his straight to the point words caught her off guard, leaving her speechless.
But the silence got too loud and uncomfortable that she had to break it. âBack on the meeting
grounds, why did you allow them to tie you up like that? I've heard the tales of how you became
alpha king, so seeing you like that was surprising.â
âI allowed them to do so because I didn't want to destroy your home. At least I thought so while I
stood on that podium last night, but now, I regret not ripping Jeovanni's head off, I regret not
murdering at least half of the people who stood there that night.â
âI'm glad you didn't...regardless of everything, they are still my family.â
Silence settled between them again, but it wasn't dense, and it wasn't uncomfortable or awkward. It
was alright.
As Quinn looked forward at the woods, she dived back into her thoughts. She wasn't the Quinn she
used to be, but she'd work towards that Quinn.
She'd fix her broken self and be who she wanted to be. She'd find herself because right now, she
was too lost and helpless...and too dependent.
She needed her strength back...only that way she could again be able to depend solely on herself.
And to do that, she really needed his help.
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