I beamed at Niall as he watched me in disbelief. I knew I was a hard mate to keep up with. One minute
I'm saying this, then the other I'm saying that.
But Niall's features then softened, and he looked content with my words. "Really. You changed your
mind?"
I nodded. "I had an eye opener. Vic told me something about my dad, and I realised that the truth didn't
hurt me like I thought it would. It actually made me feel better."
He pecked my lips as he wrapped his arms around my waist tighter. I could see that this was a part of
his plan. He knew Victoria was the only one who could've gotten through to me. And even though at
first it annoyed me, I'm glad he did.
"Besides, she reminded me that whatever I find out, however hard it will be, I have a mate that will stick
by me throughout it all."
"That's what I've been trying to tell you," he pointed out with a small smirk. I quickly kissed the stupid
smirk away from his face.
"I know. I know. But she was right." I smiled at how much better I actually felt. I was still terrified of
whatever truth was tucked away in England, but I had faith that it will all be worth it.
This was what I wanted from day one, after all. Clarissa's death just scared me a bit. I was shaken up,
still am actually. All the disappointment, hard choices and painful realities I've faced in my life became
too much. I understood why I'd want a break from it all, telling myself that I didn't need to know the rest.
But it was just the pain and fear speaking. Zoey--the Zoey deep down--knew that sooner or later, I'd be
back on my mission again. I'm just happy it's sooner.
I proceeded to tell Niall all that Victoria had just told me, making sure not to leave out any detail. He
had a thoughtful expression on his face once I was done, before it transformed into concern.
"How are you taking it? Are you sure you're okay? This is a lot." I knew my mate would only be
concerned about how I was feeling about it before telling me what he thought. That was just how Niall
is.
"I'm fine Niall. It hurts a little knowing that she and Luka knew this all along, but I have to consider that
she had her reasons for keeping it from me. I just have to trust that she was going to tell me soon," I
told him honestly, and he simply nodded in understanding.
"So what now?" he asked. "We leave for London soon?"
I fiddled with the hem of my shirt as I stepped back a little, shaking my head. "I leave for London soon."
I told him, knowing he would protest.
"No way am I letting you go alone Zoey. I know you've been visiting Emerald Pack since you were a
child and they're basically family, but-"
"But I'll be fine Niall." I wrapped my arms around his neck and pulled him closer to me. I needed to get
him to agree. "Look Niall, you have left your pack three times already on my account. I won't take you
away this time. You know it, I know it, the pack knows it. You need to stay here."
"Zoey-"
"I promise to call you every hour, and I won't be gone for more than three days. Trust me, I want you to
come with me. But you are an Alpha. You have a pack to run. Think about them. Think about all the
work you have been catching up on because you were absent so much, and there are just some things
Asia and Jared cant do here, because they aren't the Alpha." I took a deep breath as I ended, pleading
with my eyes for him to listen.
"You're my mate, Zoey. If you go out of linking range, I still won't be able to work because I'll be too
worried," he mumbled, even though I could see that he was giving in. Deep down he knew I was right.
I smiled at him, pulling his lips between mine as I kissed his worry away. "As I said, I'll call you every
hour, and I'll call you when I'm going to sleep and we can fall asleep together. It'll be like I never left."
He didn't reply, simply sighed and buried his nose in my neck, no doubt trying to soothe his wolf.
"Besides. The wolves at Emerald's Alpha house are basically family. Luka's younger brother, Ty, is the
Alpha, and Ty's twin, Emma, is the Beta female. It's so cute how both of them found their mates in the
same pack, but that's beyond the point. I've been going there since I was a child. I will be well taken
care of there."
"I know baby..It's just my possessiveness," he admitted, and I knew this from the very beginning. "At
least let Jared go with you. I'll feel better."
I shrugged. "Why not? We can go ask him right now."
He agreed, and I made a move to leave, but then I saw his eyes glazing over. I always forgot he had a
mind-link with them.
We talked about informing Ty as we waited for Jared to come to us, but it wasn't Jared's scent that I
was met with before the door opened.
"Um..I could go with her." The request came from the one wolf that I was not expecting. Asia.
She looked sheepish and shy--something completely odd for Asia. I scrunched my face into confusion
as she entered and closed the door. Niall didn't seem to mind, but I didn't like the idea.
"Where's Jared?" I asked, completely avoiding her suggestion.
"Niall must've gotten so used to mindlinking us both at the same time, that I got the message too. I
asked Jared to let me go instead."
"Okay and why?" My attitude was probably a bit unnecessary. But Asia didn't like a bone in my body.
And even if she has been on her best behaviour nowadays, I didn't understand why she would want to
do this with me. I mean, we aren't friends.
"Zoey," Niall mumbled, silently asking me to be nice. I shot him a warning look before looking back at
the woman.
"Look I haven't been the best house mate..."
"No shit Sherlock," I mumbled very lowly.
"But in all honesty, you intrigue me nowadays. There's something about you that is different..." she
trailed as she gazed at my hand. "And I want to help you know for sure."
I eyed her oddly. I could see that she wasn't necessarily doing it for me, she was just curious about
something. "Asia do you know something?"
She shrugged, but I could see that she did. "I have a hunch about something. Look, I can help you. We
can learn to at least tolerate each other and Niall will be at peace with your departure because he trusts
me. If you don't want to, I can get Jared now. But I am offering my company and help."
"Well you aren't really the best of company," I pointed out, and she actually laughed.
"I know. But hey I can try," she offered, coming in front of me and holding out her hand. I eyed it oddly,
before reluctantly taking it.
"Fine. But don't start acting like my bodyguard or anything. I can protect myself."
"From what?" Niall asked, and I regret opening my big mouth. If he believes there is even a speck of
danger, this whole plan of making him stay will be erased.
"Nothing babe. Just saying." I smiled innocently at him with a quick peck before turning back to Asia.
I stared her dead in the eyes before I spoke again." From the day you saw my shifter's bracelet. You've
been acting weird--nicer than usual. If you know something, tell me now."
"I know nothing Zoey. I'm just a Beta wolf helping my Alpha's mate."
"You know I don't trust you right?" I narrowed my eyes at her, but she didn't look phased by my
bluntness.
"Come on Zoey. You really think I'll hurt or plot against Niall's mate? Have you seen him when he's
angry?" I couldn't help but chuckle with a shake of my head, and I took a peek at Niall to see him
looking at her warningly.
"No, actually I haven't. But I'll take your word for it." I squeezed his shoulder, bringing his attention to
me. "Niall? What do you think?"
He smiled down at me as he brushed a couple curls from my face. "I trust Asia. And I feel much better
knowing someone will be going with you."
"Okay so it's settled then." I clapped once, feeling anxious and excited at the same time.
"Great." Asia beamed. "We're going to England then."
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