Chapter 23

SEBASTIAN.

“I understand,” I say quietly. It’s not something I want, but I have to respect that this is what he wants.

“Are you sure?” there’s guilt in his eyes as he stands opposite me. We are on the back patio of the

packhouse.

The weather is warm, but a soothing breeze rustles the grass, yet it does nothing to soothe the storm in

my mind.

“I am. I need someone to keep her safe, Jai, and who better than yourself? Something tells me she has

some answers that may help us. We need her to wake up.” I say quietly.

It’s going to be a great loss to have him gone, but… it’s the right thing. “Thank you, Seb… I promise I’ll

do what I can from over there. I’ll gather what information I can too…”

I nod. It’s been three days since the crash and although I made it back before I ended up dropping

unconscious, I’m healing well.

I also have learned that Zaia has moved to her father’s pack. One of my men was able to dig that up,

and it only strengthens my opinion that it may not have been Zaia on the other side of that call that day.

Although I need to stay away, it gives me a glimmer of hope. It means she’s not with him.

“Seb?” “Sorry, I got distracted… go, Jai, she needs you more than I do.”

“And who will you assign as your Beta?” Jai asks. I shove my Hanus to my pocket as glance out at the

sky. “I have a few options, but I think I’ll be going with Justin Seagrave.”

Jai tilts his head and nods thoughtfully. “Didn’t the Seagraves initially belong to the Crystal Shadow

Pack?”

I nod, “Actually, yes. They moved to this pack over twenty years ago, but still have ties with that pack.”

“And that’s where she is…” he murmurs.

I don’t respond, and he grins. “Well, glad you got things sorted, I think you’ll be fine Seb, and once Val

is awake, we’ll be back because I know she will want to come home.”

I nod as our eyes meet and although deep down a part of me wonders if she’ll ever wake up, I will not

shatter his hopes, for his and Zaia’s sake I wish she wakes up.

“Then I’ll await the day,” I respond quietly. He nods before giving me a hug and slaps my back, sending

a pang of pain rushing through my shoulder.

“I’m going to miss your arrogant dumb ass,” he says, making me chuckle. “Same,” I grunt massaging

my shoulder. “Sorry man, I forgot,” he grins and I can’t help but smirk back. It is a while later when

there’s a knock on the office door and I look up.

“Enter,” I call. The door opens and Justin steps inside. “Alpha Sebastian, you called for me?” “Yes, I

did, Justin, sit down.”

Justin is a few years younger than me. He’s from a middle-class family and is of warrior rank. However,

he is extremely intelligent and has a knack for strategy and battle.

“I hope I have not upset you, Alpha.”

“Not at all, actually due to certain factors, Beta Jai O’Dell will be stepping down from his position as

Beta of this pack and I want you to take his place.”

He looks up at me, surprised, “Alpha… me? Are you certain? I I mean, I don’t come from a ranked

family… nor do I have an influential family…” he trails off, bowing his head.

“I don’t need power or money Justin, I need a Beta with a good head on his shoulders. You will be my

Beta.” I say with finality.

He gives a slow, hesitant nod. “Of course, it would be my greatest honour. That’s a position I never

dreamed of… but… there are so many people who hold far more power and wealth…. I

understand you don’t need it nor want it.”

I nod. “Exactly, the initiation will take place next Monday. You are going to be my Beta and are the next

best for the position,” I say, dismissing him.

He bows his head as he stands up. ” Thank you, Alpha. I will not disappoint.”

Once the door shuts after him, I stand up and walk to the window. He may think he’s got nothing… but

he has ties with the Crystal Shadow Pack that will come in use… I may not be able to approach her,

but I will have a way to keep an eye on her.

Zaia… I promise I’ll find him.

Somehow.

ONE MONTH LATER…

ZAIA.

“I don’t feel too well.” I sigh as I enter our new home.

We moved to The Crystal Shadow Pack two days after I had talked to Dad, telling Atticus that I needed

to leave. To my surprise, he didn’t argue and although he wanted me to stay; he understood and

respected my decision and hoped we could stay friends.

I accepted. It was the least I could do, considering everything I had lied to him about. He had been

nothing but helpful and said he’ll keep it quiet where I had gone.

I am truly grateful for his help and despite certain actions of his not being to my liking; I understand he

was still trying to help me.

Valerie never got back to me, and the only thing I got from her was one email a week later, saying

Sebastian found out and she can’t stay in touch with me and she’s sorry.

I respect that, after all, I can understand Sebastian’s temper. Sometimes he did lose it. I can only hope

that in a few weeks or months, he’ll calm down.

“Maybe you overdid it at the office. Did that witch irritate you?” Mom asks, referring to Dad’s wife.

“I didn’t see her today, and she can’t bother me,” I say confidently, feeling a spasm of pain rush through

my stomach.

The doctor said I was getting Braxton Hicks contractions, as my body prepares for the birth and that it

can happen for months before birth. They aren’t pleasant and today they’ve been worse.

Mom and I are getting better. The antidote helped, and I had given one to the lab to make a new batch

and I can see Mom looking better too.

As for my pregnancy, there are complications, the poison and the rejection have done their damage. I

have many hospital appointments and checkups to make sure everything is going smoothly.

Dad has been true to his word and has given us a home, security, and protection. In turn, I have got

down to work and am doing my best to help and assist my father.

The start has been bumpy, with him running things so differently than how Sebastian and I did, but he’s

beginning to take my opinions on board.

“Zaia! What’s wrong?” Mom shouts as she rushes over to me. Sharp pain rushes through my stomach,

and I gasp, clutching my belly. I don’t know what happened. One second, I’m talking to Mom, the next

I’m experiencing intense pain.

“The doctor! We need a doctor!” Mom shouts as she grabs her phone. “Madam! I’ll have the driver

ready. She should go to the hospital!” The maid exclaims as she rushes from the room.

My head feels dizzy as Mom calls someone on the phone. What’s happening? It’s too early to go into

labour. I’m not even anywhere near full-term!

Something wet trickles down my legs and I can’t even look down with my belly in the way. Have my

waters broken?!

“You’re bleeding… Goddess, Zaia!” Mom’s voice is full of horror as she drops the phone in her panic

and runs to my side, “We need to get you to the hospital immediately!”

Terror, like never before, rushes through me. Nothing can happen to my babies… Fuck, please. I’ll do

anything, goddess, please… protect these children….

My heart is thudding violently as I’m rushed out and into the car. Blood covers my legs and the amount

is horrifying. My vision darkens as another powerful wave of pain rushes through me.

“Mom… It hurts.” I say, feeling a powerful contraction rip through me and there’s a sharp stabbing pain

in my chest, one that reminds me of how I felt when he had rejected me.

The dreadful thought that now comes to the forefront of my mind is undeniable. I’m in labour, at only

twenty-eight weeks.

Goddess…

“… Intensive care.”

“…Oxygen immediately…”

“The heart rate is dropping…”

Beep. Beep. Beep.

“What’s going on…” I mumble, it takes great energy and as I look around, my vision is blurry. The last

thing I remember is getting to the hospital before falling unconscious.

There’s pain in my lower abdomen and I touch my stomach. “My babies!” I gasp, my eyes flying open

as fear envelopes me feeling my flattened stomach.

“Calm down Zaia, everything is alright .” I turn my head to see Mom standing weeks.

Goddess…

“… Intensive care.”

“…Oxygen immediately…”

“The heart rate is dropping…”

Beep. Beep. Beep.

“What’s going on…” I mumble, it takes great energy and as I look around, my vision is blurry. The last

thing I remember is getting to the hospital before falling unconscious.

There’s pain in my lower abdomen and I touch my stomach. “My babies!” I gasp, my eyes flying open

as fear envelopes me feeling my flattened stomach.

“Calm down Zaia, everything is alright .” I turn my head to see Mom standing there, a small smile on

her face, but it’s not reaching her eyes. Something is wrong!

“The babies, where are my babies!” I shout.

“Ms Toussaint, you have given birth to a baby boy and girl. Congratulations.” The doctor’s voice is

vague and distant as I struggle in and out of consciousness, trying to clear my head.

There are too many people here… are the babies ok?

“Where are they!” I say, trying to sit up.

“They are in intensive care, but we are trying out best.”

My heart thuds as I stare at the doctor fearfully.

“Will they be ok?” I whisper, horrified Silence.

“Tell me!” I say, my voice breaking. They are all I have. I can’t let them die. I can’t let anything happen

to them! “We are trying our best.” Comes the quiet reply.

In other words, they don’t hold much hope…

“Be strong Zaia, it’s going to be ok,” Mom says soothingly as she strokes my hair, but the truth is, I’ve

failed them.

I should have been strong enough to bring them into this world, but I wasn’t. I’m so sorry…