Chapter Five

Zenia blinked, coming out of the past. She hadn't let herself think about their meeting in years. It had been too painful.

"I can't believe I lost those memories."

She wiped the moisture from her eyes. "We had one day and one night together. You were gone in the morning."

He frowned. "That doesn't give a person a lot of wiggle room to voodoo my ass."

"You're right. And I can't believe you said voodoo your ass."

"Seemed appropriate."

"What if we can't remove the spell?" It was the question lingering in the back of her mind. A question that could shatter her very fragile heart. "Do you go back to your mate?"

"Seems like she's the one that might have done this to me," he muttered. "And if that's the case, how can I?"

"Then I'll keep my fingers crossed." She rose to her feet. "We should get back."

He stood up, but before she could move too far away, he took hold of her arm.

"Zenia, I want to be completely clear that no matter what happens with this spell removal, I'm not keeping her as my mate."

She searched his eyes, looking for any type of deception. "I wish I could believe that, but history has a way of repeating itself. Let's not promise anything. Okay?"

He hesitated for a moment, searching for something she wasn't sure she could give. "Yeah. Sure."

Zenia pulled her arm away, unable to stand his touch when he had no idea who she was. Who they were. She'd been through too much to ever trust again.

When they made it back to town, they headed to the diner. Payton ushered them to a booth and brought coffee over. Zenia didn't know what to say to him, so she just fixed her drink like she liked and stared out the window.

"Do you have any family?"

She turned back to him. "Not anymore. The last alpha tried a coup, and brainwashed my parents into fighting for him. Alpha Jericho stopped them."

"Why didn't he kill you?"

"First, I would never be part of a coup," she replied. "Second, I was away at a … a care home."

He cocked his head. "A care home?"

She sighed, hating this part. He had a right to know, and if this sent him packing then at least it was now, when he had the chance to still walk away. "A mental health rehab home."

He was silent for a few long minutes as he studied her.

"Why were you in there?"

"Depression and anxiety. Thoughts of…"

She trailed off, not wanting to say the next part of the sentence. She should've known he wouldn't let that lie.

"Thoughts of what?"

Instead, she slid back the cuff on her blouse to show him instead of voicing it. A long, thin silver line led from her wrist halfway up her arm. He gently took her arm and ran his fingertips over the scar.

"You harmed yourself."

"Tried to," she said, pulling her arm back so she could lower her sleeve. "Wolf healing, though, kicked in. Should've gone with something quicker."

"Don't say that," he growled. "Was this because of me? Because I seemingly rejected you?"

"It was part of it."

She didn't elaborate.

"Whoever did this to me, to us, they will pay. I know you don't believe me, but I promise I'll fix it."

She picked up her mug and drank her coffee, effectively ending the conversation. She didn't want him to ask any more questions. Her past was not up for discussion. If this so-called mate of his did mess with his memories and take him from her, then she would want her pound of flesh. She wouldn't rest until the bitch paid for what she'd done.

A cell phone rang, startling her, and by the look on Greyden's face, he knew who was on the other line.

"What?" he answered, his voice clipped. "A bad day? You could say that—"

Zenia made a quick motion with her hand, shaking her head. His gaze narrowed but he conceded to what she asked.

"Nothing," he said. "I'll have to call you back." He disconnected the call and set his phone on the table. "Why did you stop me from telling her?"

"We need to make sure this potion is going to work, otherwise she's going to restrengthen the spell on you."

"All right," he said. "Good call."

Payton came over and asked if they needed anything.

"No, thank you. Have you heard anything?"

Payton shook her head. "Not yet. Soon. Fingers crossed." She held them up to show that they were indeed crossed.

"I hope," Zenia said, trying to smile. She was afraid it turned into more of a grimace.

Payton left them once more, going around to check on the patrons.

"I can't believe the luna is working as a server," he mused.

"Is that a hint of derision I hear?"

"What? No, of course not. I'm just surprised. My mother and ma—that is, the woman pretending to be my mate, would never demean herself by working in a diner."

"Then what does she do all day?"

"You know, I'm not really sure. I have an office I go to and she does her own thing. We've been trying for a child but, well, now I know why we haven't been able to conceive."

Zenia jerked back. He'd been trying for a child. One with her, that woman who almost succeeded in destroying her. Hatred burned in her heart, and it scared her how much she wanted to hurt the unknown mate-stealer. Then she wondered if Greyden realized how much it hurt, hearing about him having sex with this woman that didn't belong to him. It happened, of course. Adultery wasn't exclusive to humans, but it was rare. When the High Luna created mates, she made sure to include the spark of attraction. She also made it extremely difficult for children to be conceived outside the bond.

"Oh," he muttered, looking sick. "I just realized that I've betrayed our bond. Fuck."

"You didn't know," she whispered, wiping away a stray tear.

"Don't make it easy for me," he said, shaking his head. "I can't use the excuse I didn't know, not when you've shown me your scar. You could've been taken from me without me even knowing about you. She's robbed me of that."

His words helped. A little. Where did they go from there? She wanted to forgive him just like that, but she struggled with imagining him wrapped around the body of some nameless, faceless woman. Payton returned, giving her a reprieve of her thoughts.

"Savannah just called. She needs both of you." Greyden pulled out his wallet and she waved him away. "Don't worry about that. I just hope she has good news."

"Me too," he said.

He rose from the booth and held out his hand to Zenia. "Please."

Slowly, she eased her hand into his, letting him help her up. He didn't let go. Staring at where they were joined, she remembered the one night they had together. She wanted to let go of his hand, but she found she couldn't. Perhaps it was foolish to hope she might have a happy-ever-after, but that didn't stop her heart from yearning.