Page 97 of Cursed Beasts

“Leave,” he said.

It wasn’t malicious or even threatening; he sounded tired.

“I come bearing gifts.” I continued to walk to him.

He didn’t respond to me as I made my way towards him, setting the tray between us when I sat down. Zev had his head hanging down, making me feel like a bad friend, not coming to him sooner.

“You need food,” I said, pushing the tray of food towards him after I took my plate off it.

The pergola with vines wrapped around it offered some reprieve from the rain, and I knew the steak was enticing. He didn’t move towards it, but I ate, hoping he would eat too.

“We need to talk about her, Zev,” I said, deciding to lay out everything. “You can’t ignore her.”

He growled.

“She’s Lu’s mate, you can’t run away from that,” I said, before I took a bite of my steak.

He looked up at me with a menacing glare. His yellow eyes looked even more vibrant out here.

“Why didn’t you tell me? Did you know he was going to do it?”

“I didn’t know how to break the news to you and no, I didn’t know what he was going to do. He says it just happened.” I took another bite of my steak.

“It’s not that hard, Aeon, you just say ‘Hey, Lucien just mated the Belladonna,” he snarled.

“I just—”

“You just what? Thought I wouldn’t notice?” he shouted.

“No, it was inevitable, especially when their scents mixed. I knew how you were going to react, but I was afraid of what you would do.”

“I knew I should have killed her before she created this mess.” He stood up.

“It wasn’t just her. Lucien was the one who decided this or well his wolf did.” I said, trying not to get irritated. “You can’t say you don’t feel a pull towards her because I feel it and that grows stronger every day.”

Zev stayed quiet, confirming what Mr. Potter said. He has feelings for her, and it was making him more irrational.

“I think we should all talk and maybe we should all research this curse, and we might be successful at breaking it.”

“Aeon, you think she wants to break the spell?” He laughed menacingly. “Once you come to your senses, I’ll be here for you, but don’t think I’m going to help her trap us here even more or who knows what else. She’s married, Aeon. How can you ignore that?”

“You saw how he treated her. You barged in on them,” I snapped.

“Good acting,” he said, like it was obvious. “She’s just like Vivienne and I won’t fall for her innocent act. I just hope you realize that before it’s too late. If you do, we can still help Lucien. We can break his bond.”

I was in shock that he would suggest that.

“You better figure out whose side you’re on because I won’t give up until our pack is safe.” He stood up, leaving me in the courtyard. Dread curled in my gut that he was even contemplating breaking a bond. They were sacred and given to us by the goddess.

What had happened to my friend?

39

KATARINA

Istarted sneaking around again. After the incident with Lucien, I really didn’t want to see him again. He had used me, and I know I had let him, but I hated that feeling. It was like being with Caston all over again, except this time I had feelings for the man, or I was at least developing feelings for him.

Was it the bond that was making me feel this, or were they my own feelings? I was getting irritated with myself, going through an array of feelings in just a few minutes. Right now, all I wanted was for Lucien to hold me. It seems lately I was craving closeness, and it was starting to make me feel like I was going insane.

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