Chapter 4
1052 Words
Dane's Pov
A few days later, Dane sits in his home office. His gaze was fixated on the stack of files in front of him. He’d been looking at the reports all afternoon, but his thoughts kept wandering, returning to Lily, to the Dark Pack, and to the reminiscences that haunted him. Lily had not contacted him yet.
The sound of the pen tapping against his desk echoed inside the quiet room, a rhythmic reminder of the mind that wouldn’t depart him. The Dark Pack left in the back of years in the past, but now with Lily’s reappearance, the past is crawling back into his life, as destructive as ever.
He stared at the papers, but his mind changed to somewhere else. It had been days without hearing from his investigator, and his instincts told him something was incorrect. This wasn’t just about Lily; there was something larger at play. Something he was missing.
The sharp ring of his telephone broke through his thoughts. His eyes flicked to the display; the investigator is calling, he said to himself.
“Took you long enough?” Dane said, his voice laced with impatience.
“I’m sorry, I simply got back here from research,” the voice on the other end responded, breathless. I got your voicemail. I started looking into it and doing more research.”
Dane’s hands tapped his pen faster, frustration rising. “Go on,” he stated, tone sharp.
The investigator hesitated. “How long have you known this female?”
Dane’s palms stilled at the pen, unease settling over him. He had to be careful with his answer.
“More than five years now,” he replied, retaining his steady voice notwithstanding the burden of the truth.
“And you had a relationhip with her?” The investigator’s voice was curious.
Dane’s hand tightened around the pen, his knuckles turning white. The question stung more than he’d anticipated.
“Yes,” he replied, his voice flat.
There was a protracted pause on the opposite side. Dane could literally hear the investigator’s breath, steady, but sporting an unstated weight. Finally, he spoke once more.
“Alright. I’ll check it out in addition. I’ll get you every piece of information I can get my hands on about Miss Drapes,” the investigator said.
Dane exhaled slowly, a flicker of relief washing over him; however, it became fleeting. The knot in his stomach tightened once more. He’d hoped to stay away from this, to avoid reopening old doors. However, he knew there was no turning back. Not now.
“Thank you. I’ll await your update,” Dane said, his voice calm, even though his heart raced with anxiety.
The name ended with a tender click, and Dane set the phone down, staring at it for a moment. His hands mechanically reached for the pen once more, and without wondering, he scribbled a name on the paper: Lily.
He stared at it, the pen trembling slightly in his grip. There was a lot about her, he didn’t recognize. So much of that had remained hidden. And yet, something informed him that whatever the investigator exposed, it wouldn’t be sufficient to prepare him for the truth.
Dane ran a hand through his hair, exhaling deeply. He couldn’t do that alone. He needed to face the past. Face her.
His mind drifted again to the nighttime Lily had reappeared susceptible, in contrast to the girl he once knew.
Calculating, confident. But now? There was something in her eyes that was strange.
And then there has been the Dark Pack, usually lurking, always risky. If Lily became involved, they wouldn’t prevent it till they observed her. And if they did? They’d ruin everything in their path.
A tender knock at the door interrupted his thoughts. He turned towards it, startled. It wasn’t like all people to disturb him in his studies, specifically not now.
“Come in,” seeking to sound consistent, through his heart beat, “Dane said”
The came open, and Janice walked into the room. Her eyes scanned the papers on his desk before selecting him. He senses the load of her gaze. She knew something was wrong.
“Dane,” she stated softly, her voice laced with concern. “Is everything alright?”
He iced up. Had she been standing there long? Watching him? He couldn’t deceive her for long; she was his mate.
“I am fine”, Dane said, though the words sounded hollow even to his very own ears.
Janice didn’t buy it. She tilts her head and her gaze sharply. “You’re not excellent." You’ve been aloof. You’re hiding something.”
Dane holds his jaw, unwilling to let his eyes meet her eyes. How much had she seen? His instincts screamed to close down, to hold her out of it; however, he couldn’t.
He stood slowly, jogging a gave up his face. “I’m fine, Janice. "You’ve literally known me for a few days. "How can you tell I am not fine?” He repeated it, though the lie felt more fragile by way of the second.
Janice stepped closer, her expression unwavering. “Ouch, Dane, you are my mate, and this is the only way this marriage can work.” She said
He inhaled deeply, feeling the weight of his secrets. He couldn’t keep them from her all the time, not now while she is this close. But the problem is too dangerous, and he didn’t need her pulled into it.
“There’s something I want to address,” he stated, voice low, almost resigned. But I can’t inform you about it now.”
Janice studied him, her eyes searching for the truth in his words. After an extended moment, she nodded slowly. “I understand. But understand this: you don’t have to do it alone.”
Dane’s heart softened at her words, and guilt flooded all over him. She doesn't deserve any of this. But perhaps, maybe, she is the only individual who should assist him in facing reality.
“I understand,” he whispered, his voice slightly audible.
Janice walks out of the office, leaving him in silence.
His phone vibrates, and a message pops up on his screen.
"Meet me at Spice Cafe by 8, I want to tell you everything".
Lily.
- Writer
