Chapter Thirty-nine

ZANE

"You can't do it!" My voice was demanding and rough as I burst into dad's office. I knew what they were up to. They wanted to numb her wolf completely.

"Son, you need to calm down." Dad used his 'calm and controlled' tone on me. "This isn't crystal cut."

"So what if her dad is a traitor. I'll still have her. Don't numb her from me," I found myself begging for it not to happen. I knew dad's distaste for the fighters was strong. The thought that one of their breed would bind with me would be enough for him to want to kill Allie's wolf.

"It isn't about that." Allie's mom’s tearful face came into view now. "We haven't numbed Allie’s wolf or her connection to the pack. It has broken by itself." Her tears began to fall quicker.

"That's because of that stupid bracelet," I snapped. Why wouldn't they have thought of that? Wouldn’t that be the first point of call?

"She isn't wearing it, son." Dad's large hand landed heavily on my shoulder. It was the sorrow in his eyes that caused my blood to run with ice.

"Allie’s dying," I muttered, dumbfounded and…well, there weren't words that could be strung together to explain what I was feeling right now.

***

It was all planned down to the last second. Allie hadn't even picked up on it that her funeral was approaching. I found myself wanting to spend every moment with her, and she wanted to spend every moment away from me. That was Allie.

Couldn't change her.

But they were going to.

They were wiping her memory. Her wolf would be completely dead within days, if not hours, and then the doctor will inject her heart with a human venom that will let her live a full human life.

But she would lose all her memories about me, about her mom, the Falcon brothers - everything would be gone. She would be blocked from this world altogether.

All the werewolf memories would be gone, and she would only remember the basics. Her mom, school, apart from that, every connection she has ever had revolving around her wolf would be wiped.

And once it happened, I would lose my mate forever, and that had me sitting here with silent tears sliding down my face as my heart sliced into pieces.

I was going to lose her.

***

ALLIE

"If you look at me one more time like that, I'm going to throw my plate at you," I said deadly serious at my mother across the table. She was acting like it was our last dinner together or something.

I found her crying in the kitchen when she was making tea. She blamed it on the onions, only there weren't any onions in the dinner. Even Chase and Blake were being weird, looking at me every split second like I was going to grow another head.

"Will someone tell me what is going on?" I put my knife and fork down, not being able to take it any longer.

They shared a look with each other, and for their luck, the doorbell rang.

"When I get back, I want answers." I pushed myself away from the table and headed for the front door. Who would be coming around here this late?

Opening the door, I immediately got my answer. It was someone that was unwelcome any time of the day.

"Zane, what are you doing here?" I gave him a bored look.

When he lifted his head, I was taken back. He looked shocked.

"Zane, are you ok?" I didn't care if my voice was soft and caring, and I didn't care I was now touching his shoulder, trying to gain his eye line. "Just tell me what's wrong, and maybe I can help?"

Tonight was getting weirder by the minute.

His eyes soaked in mine and he slowly reached out, giving me time to pull away if I wanted to and he touched my cheek.

"You're beautiful, Allie. Smart. Caring. Courageous. I'm sorry I didn't see that sooner," he said in a voice that made me think he was saying goodbye to me.

"Zane, have you been drinking?" I asked seriously because I couldn't think of any other reason he would be here on my doorstep trying to undo everything he has ever done to me. Normally I would be able to smell the liquor on him, but my connection with my wolf wasn't as strong as normal.

"I just wanted to…" His voice broke, as he stared me in the eye. "See you I guess."

"Couldn't wait until second period tomorrow?" I asked with a smile. I felt relaxed around him at the moment. I was letting my shield down because he clearly wasn't in a state to pull out the knives.

"No, I couldn't." He smirked, rocking on his heels with his hands in his pockets.

I had to admit that he was one hell of a good-looking guy. I actually felt proud for a moment for fate choosing him to be mine, even though on most days we wanted to strangle each other.

"Night, Allie. I won't keep you from your mom."

I shrugged my shoulders. "She's seen my ugly mug since I was born, so surely she wouldn't be missing me." As soon as I said that, I swear I saw the curtains move out of the corner of my eye.

"Anyway, I won't hold you up." I rocked on my heels. "I'll see you tomorrow, Zane, in second period."

I turned and headed back inside before pausing and turning back. "Hey, if you are still on speaking terms with me tomorrow, save me a seat in the class."

His lips twitched into a smirk, and he nodded his head, but it was the grief in his eyes that had me confused.

But then again, not one part of tonight has made sense.