Page 48 of Two Years Gone

“You want to be sure before you let him in.” Sophie nodded knowingly.

“What happened two years ago just about killed me. I don’t know if I can open myself up to that again. What if I do and he rejects me all over again?”

I looked down in an attempt to keep the tears burning behind my eyes from falling.

“I mean, he’s only been back for two months. Can someone really change?”

My mom put a warm hand on my shoulder.

“People can always change if they want to. What if he loves you?”

I sighed. I knew I needed to think about this. Decide if I was willing to let him in. We stood up as we looked at the time and started serving up plates to the pack members that trickled in.

I watched for Zane. I knew it was ridiculous, but I looked forward to seeing him.

“Omega, I’m waiting.” I snapped my head up to see Mariah in front of me, her long manicured nails tapping the counter. I faked a smile and handed her a plate.

Mariah rolled her eyes.

“Little nothing,” she mumbled as she walked away.

I tried to act like I didn’t hear her. The words still stung no matter how many times they were said. I was surprised when Zane didn’t come in for lunch.

I grabbed a plate and walked upstairs, only to find the room empty.

“Hmm…” I mumbled as I closed the door and made my way back down. He didn’t make an appearance.

I looked up at the time, noting that dinner started in an hour, and I needed to finish these rolls. I continued kneading then looked up at the clock again. It was five o’clock.

I hadn’t seen him for almost the entire rest of the day. It worried me. Maybe he was regretting our morning together and had finally realized again that he didn’t actually want me.

He was probably avoiding me so that he wouldn’t have to deal with the little omega again.

Five thirty. Still nothing.

Five forty-five. I needed to get out of my head. I took the rolls out of the oven and wiped the hair away from my face.

I needed to take a minute, knowing if I continued down the rabbit hole, I would be a hot mess. I walked out to the hallway and leaned against the wall, closing my eyes and taking a deep breath.

He’s probably just been out training or something,my wolf tried to reassure me.

She had a point. Zane was an alpha; he couldn’t just spend all day with me.

I took one more deep breath and was about to step into the kitchen when a pair of hands reached from behind me andwrapped around my waist. I stiffened before realizing who it was.

“Hey.” Zane rested his head on my shoulder.

“Hey.” I exhaled the breath I realized I had been holding in.

“Where have you been all day?”

“Why? Did you miss me?” A smirk spread across Zane’s face.

I threw a light elbow into his ribs.

“No. I was enjoying the quiet.”

Zane gave a look of feigned hurt and then kissed my cheek.