Chapter 83 – Gone–3
–LIA’S POV–
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“Hey,” he cupped my cheeks, “don’t worry about things that haven’t happened, alright? Focus on me. On us. We’re really great together.”
I smiled. “We are.”
“Yes, exactly. So focus on me. Forget about everything else. Your said nothing else matters.”
“It doesn’t.”
“There is a lot going on in your life, Lia. A lot has changed for you, and it’s all been very sudden. Your mind and body both need time to adjust, to cope with all this information and these new feelings and emotions. If you start worrying about every little dream, or every little thing you hear, you’re only going to stress yourself out.”
I took a deep breath, nodding. “You’re right.”
“Just place your trust in me, okay? I will not let anyone or anything harm you. I love you, Lia Snow. And I promise to protect you.”
“I know you will,” I said, warmth spreading through my chest.
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“Good. Now let’s go back to kissing.”
I laughed, shaking my head. “No, no more. I have to sleep. School night, remember?”
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Zane shrugged. “Not a problem. It’s not like we go to different schools. I will have you in the morning, in the janitor’s closet.”
My cheeks heated up once more. “We’ll see about that. For now, let me sleep.”
“Okay,” he chuckled, “good night, my little Lia.”
“Good night, Zane.”
“I’m gonna leave tonight, but my pack members are posted outside. If you sense any trouble-
“I will scream at the top of my voice.”
“Perfect. We all know you’re loud. You got us caught.”
I laughed. “That was your fault, not mine. You shouldn’t have tickled me without warning.”
“Yeah, as if you would have been so calm and relaxed if I tickled you with prior warning.”
I grinned. “No. I wouldn’t have.”
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“Exactly.”
He took my face and squeezed it, making me giggle.
“Anyway, I should go.”
“Okay,” I said, holding his hand.
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He kissed mine, then reluctantly let go, backing away, towards
the window.
“I really should go,” he said.
“Yeah. Good bye, Zane. Be careful.”
He reached the window, still staring at me. “I’m going,” he sang.
“Please do,” I mimicked his tone.
“You’re not gonna ask me to stay?” He scowled.
“I don’t need to. If you could stay, you would’ve.”
He frowned. “That’s true, but it’s still nice to hear that you want me to stay.”
I climbed out of bed and approached him, getting on the tips of my toes to kiss his chin. “I always want you to stay, Zane.”
He smile down at me, and traced his fingers over my cheek.
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Then he frowned and leaned closer. “What’s this?”
“What’s what?”
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He narrowed his eyes, then pursed his lips to suppress a smile. “Lia, there’s a hickey on your cheek.”
My eyes widened. “What?”
“Yeah, right here.” He touched it.
I rushed to the mirror, gasping when I saw it. “Zane,” I cried, “what did you do?”
“I didn’t do this!” Zane laughed.
“You did! Who else would?”
“Lia, I swear I didn’t.”
“You did. I remember now. You kissed my cheek.”
“I just kissed it!”
“You also sucked on it.”
“Really light, and for two seconds at most. I don’t understand how this happened.” He approached me, and stared at me through the mirror. “Goddess.” He laughed.
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I turned around and slapped his shoulder. “You’re such a… jerk. You think this is funny?”
“I’m sorry, but it is.”
“Zane,” I cried, looking at it again. “God, I’m gonna have to hide it all day long.”
“Don’t hide it,” he suggested. “Wear it like a medal. I can’t mark you right now, but at least I can give you a stamp on your face.”
“You did this purposely, didn’t you?” I scowled.
“I swear to the Goddess, I didn’t,” he promised.
I released a breath, staring at it. “I know,” I said softly. “You barely kissed my cheek for two seconds. How the hell did this happen?”
“The Goddess wants the world to know you belong to me, Lia. It is a sign from her for me, to mark you.”
sas
My stomach flipped. “No. 1—I don’t wanna be marked as yet.”
“Suit yourself.” He shrugged. “You look cute with it, by the way.”
“Of course you’d say that.” I glared.
“You could ask your mom for her opinion.”
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“Yeah, so she knows you were in my bedroom,” I said sarcastically.
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Zane grinned, pulling me into a hug. “I’m sorry. I didn’t do this. on purpose, I swear. I’d never mark your face like that.”
“Okay, if you say so.”
“I love you.”
“I love you too,” I grumbled, rolling my eyes.
“Good bye, love. Good night. Sleep well.”
“Bye. You too.”
He leaned in to press a kiss to my forehead, but I gasped and pulled away.
“What’s wrong?” he asked in alarm. “Are my eyes black?” He glanced into the mirror.
“No, I just don’t want a hickey on my forehead.”
“Oh come here,” Zane laughed, rolling his eyes. He kissed my forehead and pulled away, proceeding to rub the skin. “No mark, promise.”
“Thanks,” I said.
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“Bye.”
“By–” he was gone before I could complete.
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I sighed and turned to the mirror, staring at the stupid mark on my cheek.
“Oh lord,” I whispered, pushing my hair away from my face.
I made my way to my bed and plopped down on it, staring at the ceiling.
A moment later, a smile forced its way onto my lips.
I loved Zane Adams.
No, I was in love with Zane Adams.
We’d kissed multiple times, and he’d met my parents.
He was coming over for dinner at my place the next day.
Mom and Dad liked him.
And I had a hickey on my check.
Life surprised me every single day, and every day, it was only getting better.
What had I done to deserve so much happiness?
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I buried my face in my pillow and closed my eyes. The image of the silver wolf flashed before me again. But it didn’t worry me. this time. Whatever this meant, 1 knew I didn’t have to figure it out alone. Zane would be with me, acting like my rock and my shield every step of the way. I would never feel lonely again. I would never be the outcast again.
I was no longer the school nerd with no friends and not boyfriend.
Now, I had it all.
In fact, I even had my very own, enemies–to–lovers love story.
I fell asleep with a grin on my face, the gentle silver light of the full moon seeping in through the window.
When I opened my eyes, I wasn’t in bed.
The ground beneath me felt damp and dirty, and I slowly sat up, a deep frown on my face.
The song of birds filled the air, and the scent of mud and plants had me surrounded.
I was in a forest.
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In the middle of a damn forest.
And my clothes were gone.
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