Page 80 of Caged Between the Beta & Alpha
“Zack, what is it?”
“When I was eighteen… I kind of got into a sexual relationship with this she-wolf... but when I met you, I wanted to break it off. The thing is…” He ran his hand through his messy hair, his heart thudding. I knew Zack had had a few relationships, but I also knew our connection was strong.
“Zack, why are you nervous?”
“She was mated, alright? She had a mate and I still let it happen,” he said. The guilt on his face tugged at my heart. That didn’t sit right with me, but he was young when it happened.
“Zack, you were eighteen. It’s okay. We make mistakes, I don’t think any less of you.”
“I’m not done yet,” he said quietly. I frowned, waiting, watching him fight the conflict of whatever was bothering him. “Her mate was injured in the battle of Hecate’s Betrayal. She just…”
His pain was so fucking strong that my stomach twisted. What the hell was it? I get that it was fucked up…it was really fucking messed up… but it was a-
“It was Anna. Channing’s mate.”
His words hit me like a fucking kick in the gut. My stomach somersaulted, and not in a good way. The pain I was feeling was so fucking strong. Guilt, anger, sadness, betrayal, anguish…
Of all people why his mate? Channing… Channing who fucking….
“Do you want to know how Channing was hurt, Zack? How he got into the state he’s in, just so his future Delta could screw his mate?” I asked hoarsely. Zack looked up at me, his eyes pained.
“Tay-”
“He saved my life! If it wasn’t for Channing sacrificing himself, I wouldn’t be here today,” I said, standing up. He had been right. After hearing that, I couldn’t look at him.
“Tay, I’m fucking sorry,” he said, those gorgeous hazel eyes of his full of regret.
I shook my head, unable to look him in the eye. It was crushing, dammit, this hurt.
“Tay!” He grabbed my arm when I reached the door, those damn sparks coursing through us both. Our hearts raced, but I couldn’t do this, not right now.
“Let go of me, Zack,” I said, shoving him off. Even that hurt. I left the room, just needing some damn space.
“Taylor!”
The moment I was out of sight and out of that place that had suddenly felt too small, I shifted, not caring that I left behind my phone or anything. I broke into a run, rushing into the woods. I howled into the darkness, wanting to get rid of that crushing pain in my chest. It felt like I was suffocating…
All I could think of was Channing, the man who had destroyed his life for me, had been betrayed by mymate…
I had already felt guilty for that night, but now…
I couldn’t stop the tears from streaming down my face. It hurt so fucking bad.I’m fucking sorry, Channing, I should have died that night. You should have let me fucking die.Whimpering I curled up, wanting the pain to go away, but it didn’t. Why didn’t it?
After a short while, I felt someone pushing through the link.
Taylor! Where are you? Please be okay,Raven’s voice came through the link.
I’m okay, Raven,I said, trying to sound normal.
No, babe, you’re not. Please tell me. I’m so sorry,she whispered, and I could tell she was near tears.
Why are you sorry?What had Zack told her and why?
Please tell me where you are?She pleaded. She was stubborn, and I had no energy to argue.
I’m just outside the pack walls, down by rocky edge near the river,I said,Do not tell anyone else where I am or I will run.I could use someone to talk to, and she knew he was my mate.
I won’t, I’m coming,she whispered.
