The Huntress

Eight

Zulu:

    The internal bleeding came up everywhere. My heart would race and my anger would try and get the best of me just by looking at what has been done to my mate. It's a mystery to me how the man continues to live. I can't help but think that maybe he's just a fighter by heart. Never giving up just like the rest of us. Not to mention the strength of his wolf. For now, it's weak but the sound that came out of his mouth told me just how strong it has the potential to be.

     "Six surgeries, Zulu. They have to be together," Fabian said behind me as we both studied the results.

     "Get Michael, Levi, and Katherine in here," I said he nodded and walked out. 

    I looked over at Payne. He had fallen asleep a little while ago after I gave him some painkillers to relax his body. He looks so tired. His features brighten every time I walk into his suite and address him. His eyes alone tell me I am not going to like what he's going to tell me once he gets better. I had wanted to leave Varco alone but this is starting to look like the only peace of mind I am going to have is when they're all dead. 

    I walked into my office as the two other wolves walked in and sat down around my desk. We waited on Michael who of course is always late. It never fails. 

     "Sorry, I'm late I got held up," Michael said fixing his button up. On a normal day, I wouldn't have cared.

    Without warning, I stood up and pinned him against the wall. Fabian moved over casually. It had been a while since I've put someone in their place like this and Michael had his long over due.

     "If you're ever late again, Harper. You're done. Do you understand me?" he vigorously nodded. I relaxed and let him go making my way over to my desk to get Payne's files.

    I explained everything and what needed to be done. They were skeptical at first until I reminded them what the importance of this man is. The walked out to get scrubbed up. I did that here as fast as I could so that I can get back to Payne. I don't want him to feel alone. Not even for an instant.      

    His eyes met mine as I walked in. The sadness in them ran through me, my wolf demanding to make it all better so I began to explain everything to him. He nodded and asked a few questions. I tried to break everything down to simplify it for him. When we were done talking he didn't stop looking at me and it was making me a little insecure. Something that rarely happens.

   "Any other questions?" I asked trying to redirect his eyes. It didn't work. 

   "Just one," he answered his voice raspy and low.

   "Shoot I'm all ears," I said using it as an excuse to sit close to him.

    "Zulu, why are you doing this? It sounds like I might as well... I can't be good for you, I'm dying. Just let me go before the mating process begins you deserve better. Jack is better," 

    Those words stung. I know where he's coming from but it still hurt for him to say them. There is so much sincerity in his eyes. I swallowed the lump that formed in my throat before coughing out the awkwardness of the look I'm probably giving him. I've been here. God, how man times had I told myself things would be better if I just clocked out. 

    "I wasn't always like this Payne. I didn't always have all of this. I was once in a f****d up position as well. My alpha took me in. he taught me to be who I am now and gave me what I needed to reach my potential," I took his hand. It's colder than my own. "Payne you need to want to be better. You have to feel that or you're never going to get anywhere. I know they made you feel like you aren't worth anything but they only did that because they know you can do better than them and they hate you for it. They beat you down so that you can believe what they don't want you to know yourself.

   "You've fought this long what's a little more. I may not be the most beautiful or the most nurturing but I do want you. I've always wanted you. I'm really sorry you had to see what you did. I didn't wait for you and that's on me. That was stupid of me. I'm not going to sit here and tell you I didn't feel anything for Jack or that he doesn't mean anything to me.

    "I love jack he gave me a sort of hope. But we both knew this day would come. I want you and no one else. Even if you decide I'm not worth it. I can't go back to him or move on to anyone else. Quite frankly my wolf and I won't allow it,"

   "I wouldn't be able to leave you. You'd have to make that choice. If you want me to fight then that's what I'll do," I sighed. 

   "That's not what I wanted to hear, Payne. I want you to fight because you want to fight for this. This isn't about what I want. It's about what you want. What do you want Payne?" He looked into my eyes, one honey gold, and the other emerald green. It's the first time I notice it and even with the blood cells that rimmed his pupils red, he has the most beautiful eyes I've ever seen.

    "I want you Zuluna. I want to make you happy," he said.

    "Zulu we're ready," Fabian said knocking on the door. The interruption hid my emotional response to his words.

   "Okay then. Prove to me that that's what you want and survive this procedure. I'll never forgive you if you die," I winked at him and he smiled.

   "I'll see you when it's over then," he said giving my hand a weak squeeze.