Chapter 135 – Kindness–1
–BLAKE’S POV–
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I closed the door of Lia’s house behind me, my heart sinking further and further inside my chest.
How did I manage to screw up every lime?
I tried so hard not to. I tried my level best to be like Zane—protective, brave and loving. But Lia never seemed to appreciate it. And every time I saw even the slightest of emotion in her for me, Zane approached her, snatching her away. It was what happened in the beginning, then when I planned to save her from the rogue, again when the Order attacked and I managed to save her, and even a few nights ago, when I actually found her in the forest and took her home.
Every time she began to see me in a different light, every time there was any closeness between us, Zane Adams ruined the
moment.
I walked down the street, my backpack feeling heavy on my shoulders.
There had been no point in doing all that research. No point in rushing back to my home town, going through every related book I could find, scribbling down notes or spending the afternoon with her. It all went to waste at the end of the day. She barely spoke to me, barely even glanced at me, her body tensing
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up whenever our gazes met.
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Why did my eyes have to do that? Why did I have to go so close to her? Why could I never restrain myself?
I was a lost cause. Nothing could help me. I would never be able to grow closer to her. I would never be able win her over.
A rustle caught my ears, pulling me from my thoughts. I stopped walking, narrowing my eyes at the bushes lining the edge of the street. Something had moved, too fast and too silently to be a regular animal. My body tensed, instincts kicking in, but after a moment of silence, I shook my head and continued walking.
I was paranoid. Ever since that night, when The Order managed to injure me for so long, every little sound caught my attention.
I couldn’t relax.
Even after I turned onto another street, I kept glancing over my shoulder, expecting Zane or one of his wolves to come storming after me. The surroundings felt too silent, too still. Almost eerie.
I walked fast, my backpack thumping against my spine, loaded with books I knew she’d never read. Notes I knew she’d never
look at.
My jaw clenched.
I didn’t know what else to do. Every time I thought maybe she
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could see me the way I saw her, she shut the door. And Zane wast always there. Always winning.
I kicked a rock off the sidewalk and turned into a narrow shortcut that cut through a park. It would’ve taken ten more minutes to go around the block, and I just wanted to get home. Shower. Sleep. Forget this day ever happened. Because even as I’d spent an afternoon with my mate, there was nothing worth remembering.
Halfway down the alley, I heard a sound again. This time it was clearer, much more distinct.
Someone was crying.
I slowed down, focusing on the source. The sobs were soft, muffled ones, belonging to a girl. My brows pulled together, concern filling my chest.
Cautiously, I followed the noise to a patch of grass, where a girl sat hugging her knees, her shoulders trembling, hood pulled low over her face like she was hiding from someone.
She looked young. Maybe my age, maybe a little younger. Her backpack was dumped beside her like she’d dropped it in a hurry. She was alone.
“Hey,” I called out, keeping my voice even. “Are you okay?”
She looked up.
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Big, watery eyes. Red face. She sniffled and wiped her sleeve across her nose.
“I—I think someone was following me,” she whispered. “I didn’t know where to go, and I’m lost now. My phone’s dead and I–” she broke into sobs again, covering her face.
“Hey, it’s okay,” I muttered. I took a step closer. “You hurt?”
She shook her head, looking up again.
“I just got scared,” she said. “You don’t think they’re still around, do you?”
I scanned the alley, sniffing deeply. There didn’t seem to be anyone around.
“I don’t smell anyone else,” I said. “You’re probably safe now.”
She blinked. “Smell?”
I froze for half a second, but she smiled nervously. “Oh. I mean… that’s kind of hot, actually. You’re one of them, aren’t you?
Werewolves?”
My eyes narrowed. “What do you know about that?”
“Nothing! I mean, I just heard stuff. Around school. Rumors.” She stood up slowly, brushing dirt off her pants. “I’m sorry if I
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sounded weird.”
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She kept her distance, eyes wide, arms wrapped around herself like she was cold.
1 let out a breath. She didn’t seem dangerous. Just scared. And maybe a little curious.
“You should go home,” I told her. “It’s not safe out here alone.”
“Can you walk with me?” she asked. “Please? Just to the I live like two blocks away.”
e corner.
I hesitated. My gut told me to leave. But her voice was shaking, and her hands were trembling like she really was terrified. I couldn’t just ignore her. Not after everything I’d seen lately.
“Fine,” I said. “Just to the corner.”
She smiled gratefully, scooping up her bag. “Thank you. Really. You’re so kind.”
We walked quietly for a minute or two. The street was silent. Nothing unusual. I kept checking behind us just in case.
Then, without warning, she stumbled.
I reached out to steady her on instinct, but the moment my hand. touched her arm, her other hand swung up fast.
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