29. Rule #29 Actions Have Consequences

Rule #29: Actions Have Consequences

Daniel

I stood at the back door watching Zoe lay face up on the grass with Lewis beside her. It had been two days since the full moon. We'd all been hanging around the house, not wanting to let Zoe out of our sight. But she said she was okay. Fine, she'd said. But I knew full well that when a woman said she was fine, she really wasn't. I just couldn't pinpoint what it was that she wasn't fine about. Physically, she was one hundred percent fighting fit. But she was quiet, not quite withdrawn, yet she seemed to be in her head. A sense of melancholy hung over her and her smile didn't quite reach her eyes.

I'd tried to get her to talk to me but again, she said nothing was wrong. Even Lewis was concerned and that's why he had her out in the sun right now.

It shone down brightly on the both of them. They seemed to be talking quietly, heads close together, but mostly it seemed like they just existed in a comfortable silence. I couldn't even find it in me to be jealous about their closeness. He loved her like a brother. He protected her like one. If he couldn't get to the bottom of it, I didn't know who could.

Rory was asleep upstairs and Lexi was nowhere to be found and I sort of felt like I was in the way. Zoe had almost died because of me. The guilt weighed heavily on my chest. I couldn't get the image of her lying on Amelia's couch out of my head. Every time I closed my eyes I remembered how pale her skin had been, how close to death she was. My nightmares were haunted with mixed images of her and Aurora. The sound of Zoe's labored, wheezing breath echoed in my sleep, the way she whimpered in pain was something I never wanted to hear again.

She saved my life.

And not for the first time, I wondered if she regretted it. If that was the reason for her melancholy.

I was fucking grateful for her. And as I stood there watching them like an outsider, I found myself at a crossroads. I didn't know if I should leave or stay.

If I left, she'd be safe.

If I left, she wouldn't have to be involved in my mess.

If I left, she would never forgive me.

My feet were frozen and I couldn't move. But I was selfish and I didn't want to leave her. I didn't want to give her up. Not just yet. So I grabbed a couple of cold sodas from the fridge and went outside.

Lewis had one arm slung over his face, while Zoe kept her eyes closed, letting the sun warm her face. I took a second to appreciate the rosiness of her light brown skin. How flush it was with life.

She cracked one eye open, gaze flicking to my hands. "Could have used something stronger, to be honest," she said.

"You don't even like beer," Lewis mumbled from beside her as I sat on her other side .

"Which is why you don't have any in your fridge," I added, handing them each a bottle as they sat up.

"I'm gonna head out," I said.

"I'll come with you," Zoe replied.

"Nah, it's okay. I've got some boring stuff to sort out at the gallery today," I said. Truthfully I needed some space to work through my thoughts. When I was near her, I'd say fuck it and risk it all. But that included putting her at risk. She was the bravest, strongest and sexiest woman I knew. I loved her. But this world needed her far more than I did.

"We're going out tonight," Lewis said to me.

"We're not," Zoe replied, sounding like this was an argument that had been happening for a while.

"We are," Lewis insisted. "You need to get out of this funk and I need to get laid."

"Gross. Don't need to know about your shenanigans," Zoe quipped.

I chuckled, leaning closer to place a kiss on her forehead. "I'll call you later," I promised. I stood but before I could make it all the way up, she grabbed my hand.

"A proper kiss, please." Zoe tilted her head up and there was no way I could deny her anything. So I bent at the waist, cupped the back of her head and kissed her like it would be the last time.

A knock on my office door had me looking up as it opened and Michael poked his head in. "Is this a good time, boss?"

I was currently leaning over my desk, shirt sleeves rolled up as I looked through portfolios that had come in for the artist's call. I wanted a place for up and coming local talent to display their art. I wanted to give those who normally wouldn't have a chance, a foot in the door. Unfortunately, the pickings were rather slim. I'd love to just knick some of Zoe's to display, but I wanted her to have the self-confidence to submit them herself. Maybe Rory could convince her. That girl could sell ice to a hockey player.

"Sure," I said with a sigh.

Michael scuttled in, and closed the door behind him. "There's a rather intimidating gentleman here to see you. He doesn't seem very patient."

Fuck. I knew this was coming. I thought I'd at the very least get a few days. Zoe had killed one of Ben's pack. Of course there would be repercussions. I just didn't think it'd be this fast for a low-ranking beta.

"Bring him through. Best to get this over with," I said.

"If you're sure," Michael hedged, probably fearing for my health and safety.

"Go on, show him in," I confirmed. I stacked the portfolios that we'd be extending offers to on the right side of my desk then put the others in the slush pile. As I took a seat in the leather chair behind my mahogany desk, the door to my office flew open, bouncing against the wall.

"Now, Ben, is that any way to treat someone else's possessions?" I tsked.

Michael crept in gingerly and pulled the door closed before making his escape. I didn't blame him. Benjamin's rage was palpable, his growl barely contained.

"To what do I owe the pleasure?" I asked, crossing my legs and lounging back in an attempt at nonchalance.

"My son!" he barked.

I tilted my head to the side. "What has Jonathan done this time?" I asked .

"You know what!" he yelled, spittle flying from his lips. Ben curled his hands into fists at his sides.

"The last time I saw your demon spawn he was beating the shit out of me about two weeks ago. So, no, I don't know what he's been up to," I replied.

"Your bitch killed him!" Benjamin's eyes were wild with rage and grief.

I shot to my feet, my chair scraping across the hardwood floor.

"Call her a bitch again and I'll cut your fucking tongue out. And she saved my life. Your stupid son tried to kill me!"

"You were warned to stay out of pack territory. He had every right!"

"You can't just claim neutral territory, Ben. That's not how it works."

A strange sort of calm came over Benjamin that set alarm bells off. Unhinged I could handle. Unhinged people made mistakes. But this cold, calculating calm gave me pause.

"I demand compensation," he said.

"How much?" I asked with a sigh.

"You," he said, simply.

My blood ran cold and my heart fell to my feet.

"My life?"

"No. I lost my son. I have no heir now. You will marry Selena and join the pack."

I snorted a laugh. "Absolutely not."

"You will. Because if you don't, that little witch of yours pays the price. With her life, to be very fucking clear."

I stared at him, my blood boiling and heart beating frantically.

"You have a week to wrap things up. See you at the altar."

He strode casually out of my office as if he didn't just drop a bomb that had destroyed everything.