Page 22 of Daddy Wolf’s Secret Baby (Fated To The Wolf #10)

21

Zahra

“ H ello, Son. Did you have a good day at school today?” Zahra asked as Jace slid into the car and shut the door.

“Hello, Mom. I had a great time at school today, but something weird happened.”

She looked around carefully, making sure she wasn’t about to run over any kids, parents, or teachers before pulling into traffic. “What was that?”

“After the last recess, I got called to the office. There was a man who handed me a box and a letter. He said it was for you.”

Zahra jerked the wheel and nearly slammed into the car next to her on the road. She managed to pull into a parking lot, ignoring the honking cars and middle fingers.

“What?”

Jace’s face had lost all its color. “What’s wrong? Did I mess up?”

“You’re not in trouble and you most definitely didn’t mess up.”

He unzipped his backpack and pulled out a small black velvet box. Her hands shaking, she opened the envelope.

My Dear Zahra,

The date for our mating ceremony is getting closer. You had best be getting your affairs in order in Angel’s Creek because you won’t be returning. You also need to make arrangements for Jace. I won’t tolerate another man’s bastard child in my family.

Elias.

The letter fell to her lap and she flipped open the lid on the box. It was a huge diamond engagement ring. She sucked in a huge breath of air, trying to calm her nerves. Zahra bit her bottom lip until she tasted blood.

“Did you recognize the man?” she asked, trying to control her voice.

“I thought that he looked familiar, but I can’t be sure. I didn’t know his name or anything.” Jace grabbed her hand. He looked terrified. His face was pale and his eyes were wide. “Mama, are you okay?”

“Yeah, Baby, I’m okay and so are you.”

She folded the letter up and put it back into the envelope, then put it and the box in the console. Zahra worked hard to control her breathing and heart rate as she carefully drove back to the house. She tapped the code for the garage door and made sure it was completely down before she let Jace get out of the car.

Once inside, she immediately called Zac.

I’m sure Zac’s about tired of hearing from me about this by now, but he’d be furious if I didn’t tell him about something this big.

When Zac answered, she asked him to hold on and called Josiah, so she could tell them both what happened at once.

“On my way,” Zac said.

“Me, too.”

She and Jace sat on the couch. He reached for her hand and Zahra knew that Jace was scared but was trying not to show it. Neither of them spoke while they waited.

Even though she was expecting them, she nearly jumped out of her skin when the doorbell rang. She ran to the door, peeked out the peephole, and saw Zac standing there. Breathing a sigh of relief, she unlocked the door.

Josiah pulled into the driveway a second later.

“I’m so sorry to call you guys all the time. I’m pretty sure you’re about tired of hearing from me every time someone says ‘boo.’”

Zac looked her in the eyes. “Baby Sister, I expect a phone call if someone so much as breathes wrong in your or Jace’s direction. Not only is it my duty to protect you as a brother, but it’s also my job as the Alpha.”

Josiah growled at her. “I’d be so pissed if you didn’t call me the second you or Jace felt anything was off.”

The two men inspected the letter and ring.

“I recognize the box. The jeweler is my friend. I’ll go talk to him and see what I can find out,” Josiah said.

After he left, Zac looked at her and sighed. “I really wish you would reconsider moving in with Mom and Dad.”

“Zac, I can’t and it wouldn’t make any difference. I’ve thought about having Jace stay with Josiah or Mom and Dad for a while, but the more I thought about it the more I realized that it wouldn’t make a difference. The guy today went to the office to talk to Jace. But if he had wanted to, he would have found a way to take him.”

“That’s true,” Zac admitted. “I’m worried about you, though.”

“Me, too. However, I have you, Josiah, and Callie on speed dial. I have a great alarm system, and I always have bear spray in my pocket.” She smiled at her brother. “I know you think that I’m being stubborn for the sake of being stubborn. I’m not, though. If I move because of him, he wins. I won’t let him dictate my life.”

Zac growled at her but decided to change the subject. “What are your future plans?”

“I intend to stay in Angel’s Creek, even after Mom is all better. This is our home. I wouldn’t take Jace away from his father or the rest of the family and pack. The reason I left was because I didn’t want Josiah to think I was trying to force him into being with me. That’s no longer an issue.”

“What’s up between the two of you?”

“Honestly, I’ve always known that he was my fated mate on one level or another. I guess that’s why his rejection hit me so hard. It was more than just a schoolgirl crush. Hopefully, he’ll figure it out, sooner, rather than later.”

“I hope so, too, but he’s a bit hard-headed.” Zac looked at her and smiled. “Just like you. No wonder you two are meant for each other. You both will likely be trying to out-stubborn each other for the rest of your lives.”

“Could be,” she said.

Josiah called. “The jeweler said that he sold the ring this morning and described the man who bought it. His description matches your depiction of Elias perfectly. He’s in town. You are in even more danger than we thought.”

“Before you suggest it, no. I’ve rehashed the reasons a million times. Not going to happen.”

He growled at her and told her he would talk to her later before hanging up.

Zahra looked at her brother. “Do you think that back in the ‘good ole days’ he would have slammed the receiver on the phone down?”

Zac grinned. “Quite possibly.” He stood and hugged her. “I’m going home. Call if you need to.”

“Thanks. I appreciate you.”

He went into the living room to hug Jace.

“Is Mom going to be okay?”

“Yes, and so are you,” Zac said. “Don’t tell her, but you’re the man of the house so you’re secretly in charge. Take care of your mama.”

“I will.”

Zahra shook her head and laughed as Zac left.

“I need you to be extra careful when you’re at school, especially when you go outside. Stay close to the teachers and don’t let anyone get you separated from them or your friends.”

“I promise.”

Josiah called. “I’m on my way over. I’m staying the night.”

She started to speak, but he said, “Don’t argue with me. I’m staying the night whether I sleep in your bed, on the couch, or in the driveway.”

“Actually, I was going to ask you to pick up some Chinese food for dinner. Jace likes General Tso’s chicken and I like Hunan chicken. Also, we prefer fried rice and crab rangoons.”

“Why do I suddenly feel as though I’ve just become a delivery driver?”

“Because you have. If you get here in a timely manner and the food is still hot, you might get a good tip later.”

Josiah arrived an hour later and in spite of being shaken up by the day’s events, Zahra realized she was starving. She gobbled her food and helped Jace finish his fried rice.

“Wow. I never eat this much. I guess all the stress is making me hungry.”

“I guess so. I hope you’re done because I really don’t feel like going back out.”

“Nah, I’m good.”

Josiah played video games with Jace until it was time for his shower.

“Thank you for not arguing with me about staying,” Josiah said.

“I’ll be honest, it was a little nerve-racking and it’s comforting to have you here.” She smiled at him and licked her lips suggestively. “Besides, you’re really sexy and I like looking at your naked body.”

He laughed and started to reply when Jace appeared in his Avengers jammies.

After they put Jace to bed, she pulled out some photo albums. “I guess I’m a bit old-fashioned.”

They flipped through the pages, and Josiah watched Jace grow up through the eyes of his mother.

“I’m sorry that I left. I should have told you.”

He gently touched her face. “You did what you thought was right. No one can fault that.”

They tumbled into bed together and made slow, sweet love before snuggling and falling asleep together. Josiah was rather annoyed when the alarm woke him at six the next morning.

“If you get Jace moving, I’ll cook breakfast,” she said.

“Deal.”

She snickered. Half an hour later, the guys were in the kitchen.

“Next time I cook and you get Mr. Sleepypants out of bed. He gets violent when he doesn’t want to get up.”

Zahra laughed. “Trust me, I know.”

They were finally ready to go. Zahra went to the garage and opened the door, waiting for Josiah to pull his truck out. When he didn’t, she walked around to see what was keeping him and gasped. Carved into the side of her house was a huge mark – Elias’ mark. He was announcing to the world that she belonged to him.

“I’ll kill that son of a bitch,” Josiah said, shaking. “You and Jace should stay home today.”

“No. I’ll not hide.”

Josiah growled.

“I need you to move your truck so I can take Jace to school and I can go to work.”

He looked at her and for a second, Zahra was afraid that he was going to refuse. Finally, he nodded and pulled out of the driveway.

This has got to end soon, Zahra thought as she drove Jace to school. I’m going to end up having a heart attack by the time I’m thirty if this keeps up.

She was afraid of how it would end. She didn’t want her brother or Josiah to hurt Elias or anyone else, but she was pretty sure that Elias wasn’t going to give them a choice.

Zahra walked Jace into school and talked to the principal, explained the situation, and emphasized that under no circumstances, was anyone allowed to pick Jace up except for those on the approved list. They would all have identification. The principal assured her that Jace would be safe.

She was in a zombie state as she drove to work, once again not remembering the drive. “I’m going to hurt someone or myself someday. I’ve got to stop doing that,” she muttered to herself.

A man stood in front of her, blocking her way. “Stop doing what?”

Zahra recognized him immediately. “Didn’t you get enough the other night, Dwayne?”

“I’m just here to deliver a message. You need to make the situation easier for everyone, including your son. Leave him here with his father and the rest of the family and come back with me to St. Theresa’s.”

“Go to hell and take your Alpha with you. I’ve found my fated mate and it certainly isn’t Elias. Tell him that he needs to find some other woman to harass.”

She pushed past him and walked into the office building. Shaking, she called Zac and Josiah. They were both there in ten minutes, but Dwayne was nowhere to be seen.

“Don’t start, guys. I’ve had a day already, and it’s only eight AM.”

They looked at each other and sighed.

Josiah hugged her and said, “I’ll see you tonight.”

Zac hugged her and said, “Call if you need anything.”

The rest of the day went smoothly and she hoped that she would have a peaceful evening. That hope was dashed when she walked outside and saw Elias leaning against her car, his arms crossed over his chest, as though he had every right to be there.

“You are making a huge mistake. I am the Alpha. As my Luna, you can have anything in the world that you want.”

“I want to be left alone. I don’t want to be with you, and I have no idea why you would want to be mated with someone who loathes you. I’m in love with another man, who is my fated mate.”

Elias’ face darkened. “I’ll take care of that problem,” and he walked away.

She trembled at his words, afraid that he would make good on his threat.

Zahra sat in her car trying to remember how to breathe. Her heart was thundering in her chest and she felt dizzy. She gripped the steering wheel tightly with white knuckled hands.

After a few minutes, she reached into her pocket and pulled out her phone. “I have to make sure Jace is safe.”