The Fall

Chapter 20

Zoe- Present Day

The moment I landed, an unsettling restlessness consumed me. I couldn't wait to get home, my mind racing with thoughts of needing to relocate, to make a run for it. A sick, shameful feeling gnawed at my gut, and I began to wonder if I had made a grave mistake. For years, I had lived on the edge, hiding from Eero, believing him to be responsible for my parents' deaths, convinced that my mother had been running from him. In my mind, he was a dangerous, menacing presence.

During the flight, I had been consumed by thoughts of this new perspective Kamden had presented. What if Eero wasn't as culpable as I had believed? What if he had been looking out for me? The internal debate raged within me as I wrestled with the idea that I might have been wrong about him.

My wolf and I found ourselves in a rare disagreement during the drive home. She seemed to suggest that we could give Eero a chance, that he was our mate, and he wouldn't hurt us. But I couldn't let go of the past. If I had been wrong about Eero, then the past seven years of sacrifices my wolf has made as I lived in fear... was for nothing? I felt guilt eating at me.

I admit that I think I could be wrong about him. Maybe but you were doing what you felt was best for yourself and Easton.

It may even be possible that he had been looking out for me. Maybe, we don’t know his side of the story.

What if he is dangerous and he takes it out on us or on Easton? He is your mate, he wouldn’t hurt you.

You say that but I lived with a mother who drove nail after nail into my father, she slowly killed the man she loved. We could try to get to know him and assess his personality before we tell him about Easton.

You really like his wolf then? He is our mate. But I respect your decision.

I mean my decision feels like it was decided on half-truths and fear. Maybe but feeling safe is your personal right. You don’t owe him trust over your heart, mind, or body just because you are fated.

So, what do we do, give him a chance to earn it? Yeah, I think so.

Even with the air cleared between my wolf and me, I couldn't shake the lingering guilt, but I remained determined to give Eero a chance to prove his character. The questions kept swirling in my mind. Would he be the kind of man who would punish me for taking our son? He was after all a criminal, wasn’t he?

I was also nervous about how the mate bond would affect me. My understanding of mates had been limited to all-consuming lust and an inability to be separated, but I wondered if Eero would respect my need for privacy as I adjusted to the idea of getting to know him. As incredibly attracted as I was to him, it wasn't as if I couldn't live without him. I obviously left him a second time without issue. Sigma.

So, because we are a Sigma we don’t follow the normal rules of the bond? Yes.

I decided to text him that I had landed, then headed over to Jenna's.

Picking up Easton from Jenna’s, I was greeted with a torrent of excitement and stories about his weekend. His animated face and infectious smile reminded me so much of Eero. While I had always seen myself in him, now, with Eero fresh in my memory, I noticed that Easton had his father's lips, brow, and striking blue eyes. We both shared dark hair, but the hairline was unmistakably Eero's. Easton had always been off the charts for weight and height, and I had attributed that to wolf genetics. However, seeing Eero's again, it is obvious Easton takes after him.

After settling in at home, the doorbell rang, causing me to nearly jump out of my skin. Eero hadn't responded to my text, and I felt like I was walking on eggshells, anxiously awaiting a response. When I checked the ring camera, I half-expected to see him standing there, but it turned out to be just a delivery driver with fresh flowers. There was no note attached again, and the timing of their arrival, a few hours after I had returned home, unnerved me.

I could tell that my little man was running low on energy from his exciting weekend. So, after dinner we both agreed on an early bedtime. However, after lying awake for two hours, I finally decided to call Eero.

"Mate," his voice oozed with sinful allure.

"Hey, I tried to text you earlier, don't know if you got it or not," I said, trying to keep things casual.

"I did. I just prefer to talk," he replied, his voice slightly huskier than usual, making me wonder if I had just woken him up.

"You could have responded with that," I retorted, my irritation showing.

"I could have," he drawled, taking a heavy breath. "Just wanted to see how long it took for you to break down and call."

I rolled my eyes, "Well, for future reference, I prefer to text. Along with like everybody else with a phone."

"I'll keep that in mind," he said with a hint of gruffness and another exaggerated breath. What was he doing? Maybe he was at the gym or something.

"All right, well, I just wanted you to know I landed and got home safe. I have work in the morning, so I am heading to bed," I informed him, my voice slightly exasperated.

"What are you wearing?" he purred suddenly, catching me off guard.

"Are you kidding me?" I responded incredulously.

"No. What are you wearing?" His voice was dripping with desire, and I could hear something in the background rustling.

"An oversized t-shirt from a charity race and panties," I reluctantly admitted. Why did he want to know? My mind raced, and I couldn't ignore the thought of him pleasuring himself, which did something to my insides. I found myself unconsciously squeezing my thighs together as I listened to his soft breaths on the other end of the line.

“What color panties?”

"Black," I admitted, my voice trembling, and an involuntary whimper escaped my lips.

"Hmmm," he purred, the sound deliberate and provocative. My c**t throbbed in response, and vivid flashbacks I shouldn't be having replayed in my mind.

"Eero," I said his name, breathless, trying to regain my composure. "At some point, we need to have a talk."

"I would imagine so," he replied, with a groan that sent shivers down my spine. Damn it, I was certain the steady rustling I heard in the background was him pleasuring himself.

"What are you doing?" I couldn't help but ask, my curiosity getting the better of me.

“Stroking my cock.”

My cheeks flame at his response, “Oh, I um. I didn’t mean to interrupt.”

“You didn’t interrupt. I started stroking it the second I heard your voice. I’ve been picturing those lips wrapped around me.” A gasped breath rushes out of me.

“You’d like that little one, my c**k filling your mouth, thrusting into your throat?” His voice rumbles and a low growl vibrates the line. Sweet f*****g fates I’m drenched, a few words, and I’m a puddle.

“I do... want you to fill me,” I admit in a weakened whisper.

“My tight little mate. So perfect, you think you can take all of me?”

I’m not even touching myself yet but the echo of him inside me pulses in my channel. The phantom feeling has me slipping my hand into my panties. My c**t is swollen and as I press my finger into it. I moan. A symphony of sounds comes out of me. I’m simultaneously moaning, begging to be f****d, to have his come inside me.

Eero is encouraging,” That’s a good girl, take all my d**k, I’m gonna destroy that pretty perfect pussy.” Between both our grunts, groans, and filthy words. I’m coming, screaming into the phone my voice breaks and I bury my face into the pillow. What did I just do?

After a few minutes of neither of us saying anything, just our breaths returning to normal, he says “Goodnight Mate.” And ends the call. f**k.