Page 24 of Two Years Gone

“What, Zane? What else could you possibly have to say to me?”

“I’m sorry.”

I met Ella’s eyes and watched her as she stood frozen in disbelief. After a moment, she shook her head.

“It’s a little too late for that.” Ella looked down at the floor, and I could see she was upset.

“Ella, I know I was mean, cruel, even borderline abusive. I messed up, and I’m trying to be better. Believe it or not, my dad smacked some sense into me.

“You don’t have to forgive me, but I’m here to apologize, to tell you I’m sorry.”

Ella met my eyes, and I could feel her searching my face for the truth. After a few moments of silence, she let out a breath.

“Thank you.”

I gave her a warm smile, and I could feel the pull toward her. I wanted to pull her close to me and inhale her scent. I wanted to kiss those lips that looked so soft.

She turned and walked away, shaking me from my thoughts.

I wanted to call after her, but I didn’t know what I would say. Hopefully, I would be able to fix what I had ruined.

Chapter 12

ELLA

To say I was surprised would be an understatement.

“Mom, you wouldn’t believe what just happened,” I said as I walked back into the kitchen.

“Zane?” My mom turned to me, smiling.

“Wait, how did you—”

My mother laughed.

“He came and apologized to me first. Can’t say I remember the last time he ever did that.”

“That’s because he never has,” I replied, laughing as well.

We worked on dinner and were informed there would be a last-minute pack meeting at the end of the day before dinner.

That meant we had to attend, and dinner needed to be ready for whoever wanted to stay afterward. I heard my mother groan, “We won’t have enough food!”

“Go talk to Alpha Daniel about it. We could use the food that we were going to use for dinner tomorrow as well as what we have for tonight. He will have to approve it, though,” I suggested.

Mom nodded.

“You’re getting good at this, hun. You’ll be in charge before you know it,” she said as she left the kitchen and walked to the alpha’s office.

I started on some of the salads as I waited on approval.

Zane walked through, stealing a couple of olives off my board. I rolled my eyes at him, and he gave me a smirk.

Don’t let him in, my wolf whispered.He hurt us before, he’ll do it again.

I sighed and nodded my head in agreement.I know.

Everyone sat in the pack hall as we awaited the alpha. My mom and I sat near the back so we could escape quickly when the meeting was over and get back to the kitchen to start dishing up food.