*Zander*
“Zander, I need to have a word with you,” Maddox’s voice echoed with concern as he stormed into my room, his footsteps echoing off the walls after I evaded our conversation in the pack’s office.
“Not now, Maddox,” I dismissed him with a sharp edge to my tone, my gaze fixed on the file before me.
“I’m not letting this slide, Zander. We have to talk,” he insisted, his tone firm, unwavering.
Huffing in frustration, I turned to face him, my jaw set with tension.
“You want to talk?!” I growled, my voice low and intense. “Fine, let’s talk. What’s on your mind?”
“Why did you allow Selena to go with that cunning Vampire King?” he questioned, his eyes burning with intensity.
“Isn’t it obvious, Maddox?” I snapped, my frustration boiling over. “He’s Selena’s mate, and I have no right to hold her back.”
“No!” he bit out, his voice sharp with disagreement. “She’s our Luna, and you’re her mate first. You have every right to stop her, to fight for her,” he countered, his words laced with conviction. “But instead, you just stood there and watched her leave with that filthy vampire.”
“I don’t owe you an answer, Maddox,” I asserted with the weight of my Alpha authority pressing in my voice. He backed off, head bowed in submission, but the stubborn wolf refused to yield so easily.
“I’m asking as your friend, Zander. Let me be there for you,” he implored, his tone softening.
“I don’t need anyone,” I retorted, my words sharp and cold.
“Of course, the Alpha King doesn’t need anyone. But my friend Zander needs me in his vulnerable time. Speak to me,” he persisted, his sincerity evident.
I understood his intentions, but I was steadfast in my resolve never to reveal my weaknesses to anyone. So, I remained silent, focusing on my tasks. Surely, he would grow weary of waiting and depart like everyone else. At least, that’s what I assumed. Yet, he remained rooted to his spot.
“No, I won’t leave you alone until you open up to me,” he declared, his voice piercing through the tense air as though he were peering into the depths of my mind. “Please, tell me the reason. It’s tearing me apart to see you like this. Are you intending to send Selena to the Vampire Kingdom? Do you suspect Damon is plotting something? If it’s part of your strategy, why didn’t you confide in me?”
“I have no plan or strategy, Maddox!” I snapped, frustration lacing every word. “All I wanted was for Selena to find happiness.”
“Damn it, Zander! And you believe Selena will find happiness with that Vampire King?!” His voice rose in indignation. “You didn’t even consider your son, Austin. How will he cope without his mother?”
I glared at him, baring my teeth. If anyone else were in his place, they would be dead by now for raising his voice at me. But Maddox was my childhood friend, and only he had the right to talk to me like this because I knew he was fighting with me for my own good.
“I am dying, Maddox,” I announced, and Maddox froze and his eyes widened, looking at me with disbelief.
“What… What did you say?!” he stumbled back in shock.
“My death is near,” I sighed, running a frantic hand through my hair. “Selena has a chance to be happy again with a mate. I can’t be selfish and leave her sad and crying after I’m gone.”
“H… How is it possible?” He stammered, looking dumbfounded. “No, that’s not true.”
“It is true,” I nodded. “And no one can change it.”
“Zander, please, tell me this is just some twisted joke,” Maddox pleaded, his brows furrowing in a mix of disbelief and desperation.
“It’s no joke, Maddox. I wish it were,” I replied solemnly, my tone weighed down by the gravity of the situation. “I’m deadly serious. According to the ancient prophecy, my life will end on my thirtieth birthday.”
Maddox’s expression shifted from confusion to stunned silence, his mind grappling with the harsh reality I had just revealed.
“And your birthday… it’s on the next full moon, just a week away,” he murmured, his voice barely audible as if he couldn’t quite comprehend the proximity of my impending doom. In fact, I also didn’t realize my end came so soon.
___________
*Selena*
“Shh, Austin, don’t cry, my little love. Mommy will be back before you know it,” I whispered tenderly, trying to soothe my sobbing baby boy through the pixelated screen of our video call. Yet, his tears persisted, his tiny face contorted with sadness, and my own heart ached in response, threatening to betray my attempts at composure. My eyes brimmed with tears that threatened to roll down at any time.
“But Mom,” he whimpered, his voice trembling with emotion, “last time you went to work, you said it was your last job and you’d never leave me alone again.”
I swallowed hard against the lump forming in my throat, feeling the weight of his words pierce through me.
“I know, sweetheart, and I’m sorry,” I murmured, my voice thick with remorse. “If it weren’t absolutely necessary, I wouldn’t have left you, you have to believe me.”
“But this time, Dad’s with you,” I added, trying to offer some reassurance amidst the waves of guilt crashing over me. “Speaking of Dad, how is he? Are you taking good care of him?” I inquired, my gaze scanning the room until I finally caught sight of him, attempting to hide from me yet still listening to our conversation.
“Yes, Mom, Dad is okay,” Austin said, but I could see that he was far from it.
His demeanor betrayed a profound sense of misery, his eyes bloodshot and weary, burdened by dark circles etched from sleepless nights. A wild beard sprawled across his once-handsome face, a clear indication that he hadn’t been taking care of himself. He may have thought he could hide himself from me, but he didn’t know that wherever he was, he had my unwavering focus.
“Good, my baby boy. Remember to finish your meal and retire early. Austin, it’s your responsibility to ensure your father’s well-being and happiness, especially in my absence,” I emphasized, projecting my voice so Zander could also hear.
“Okay Mom, I will take care of Dad. I promise,” Austin spoke with maturity beyond his years, his voice carrying a weight of responsibility.
“That’s my good boy, Austin…” I hesitated, my gaze lingering on Zander, who had caught my eye. “Tell your Dad that Mom loves you both,” I declared as my eyes locked with Zander’s for a brief moment before he abruptly left the room.
“Okay, baby boy, finish your homework and don’t miss your training sessions,” I managed a soft smile through the tears that threatened to spill from my eyes. “Mom has to leave for work. But remember, Mom loves you, Austin.”
“Austin loves Mom. I will be a good boy. Please come back soon,” he replied, his expression a mix of sadness and understanding.
I nodded, unable to speak as I disconnected the phone, the tears I had tried to suppress now freely flowing down my cheeks.
I knew time was not on our side; I needed to act swiftly to convince Damon to break this mate bond and reject me. Then I needed to find a solution to defy the prophecy. Zander couldn’t meet his fate like this. There had to be another way.