Zira stood in the doorway of the bedroom with her jaw on the floor. Isaiah had bulked up nicely since the last time she truly saw him. She could actually see all the training the boys were talking about all over his body. Isaiah was leaning with his back against the doorway, wearing a pale gray dress shirt that was unbuttoned. The light from outside shimmered off his rock-hard abs and his mesmerizing V-shape disappeared into his black slacks. The dress shirt stretched tightly over his shoulders and arms, showing off the definition of his upper arm muscles.
She could clearly imagine the pleasure she would feel peeling off his clothes to reveal more of himself to her. Running her hands over his chest and arms, committing every feeling to memory.
Goddess, it has been too long, she thought.
His usual dark curls were pulled back into a small ponytail with the sides faded down. He let his beard grow in, which made him look even more rugged and handsome. Standing this close, his scent was overpowering her, making her weak in the knees.
Even Nina wagged her tail happily at how close they were to their mates. All Zira wanted to do was run into his arms and tell him how sorry she was for leaving the way she did. She wanted to skip right to the makeup sex, but she knew from the energy in this room that was going to be near impossible.
“Are you just going to stand there and gawk all day,” Isaiah asked, breaking her thoughts, as he took a sip from his glass.
“No,” Zira said, her voice coming out breathless. It was all she could manage at the time. Anymore, would have probably been a moan or two.
Zira watched him finish his drink and set the glass on the bedside table before drawing his eyes to her. His intense gray eyes scanned her body, burning through her with every inch he took in. She wasn’t sure if she was imagining things, but his every movement seemed to move at a slow, sensual pace. She held her breath and forced herself to keep her heart beating at a regular pace. He could see how he affected her by the smirk on his face as he watched her.
The room suddenly became silent while Isaiah kept his focus on her. Zira, on the other hand, took a moment to look anywhere but at him as she walked over and sat by Arias. She smiled when she noticed he was clutching Mister Giggles. Zed actually let someone else take it.
“He looks so pale,” Zira said as she caressed his face softly. She noticed sweat forming over Arias’s forehead and before she could say anything.
“He had a really bad fever a few days ago,” Isaiah said, as if he could read her mind. “But it seems the worst has passed. Thanks to your mother.”
Zira smiled at the thought of her mom. She couldn’t wait to see her later and thank her for everything. She especially missed her mom's biscuits and cookies as she closed her eyes, remembering the flavors. Apparently, her face must have shown her delight.
Isaiah chuckled softly. “Of course, you think about food right now.”
It felt good to hear him laugh. She couldn’t remember the last time he did since she left. Zira took the towel lying on the nightstand and dabbed at Arias’s forehead. Little snores escaped his mouth as she moved the towel back and forth over his forehead. It’s hard to describe how much she missed him. The sound of his voice, his scent, his laughter, his…everything.
Arias started to fuss, and Isaiah made a motion towards him, but she held out a hand.
“Let me,” Zira said softly as she carefully picked him up so as not to wake him fully. She wanted to comfort him or at least try. Give Isaiah a break for a little bit.
Apparently, he gets really fussy when he’s sick and putting him to sleep was a hassle every time. She would watch her mom over the phone gently rock and hum a little lullaby to get him to go to sleep. It worked every time. Though she wouldn’t mind waking him up so she could hear his voice and see his eyes.
He stirred a bit in her arms, and she could see Isaiah getting a bit anxious to take him away. So, she walked about the room, humming and rocking him close against her chest. She felt like she was doing the right thing, but it wasn’t working.
Arias started to cry and wiggle out of her arms as she tried to reassure him it was OK. Still, he fought against her like she was a stranger. Isaiah made a move again to grab him, but she turned away.
“I got this, just…,” she said while trying to keep Arias in her arms, “...give me a minute.” I should be able to do this, she thought. He just doesn’t know it’s me.
Zira held him up, so he was looking at her, but his eyes were barely opened. He was fighting his sleep. “Look Arias, it’s me. It’s Mommie. See?”
Still, Arias fussed, and she started to lose hope. Isaiah didn’t waste time, trying to grab him from her. She hesitated for a moment, not wanting to give up the fight, but it wasn’t the time for that. Eventually, Zira let him take Arias and moved to give him space.
She tried her best not to feel or look disappointed, but she couldn’t help it. She watched as Isaiah sat on the bed, speaking to Arias in a hushed tone. He was staring up at Isaiah with sleepy, tearful eyes. Zira felt herself shaking, thinking she was the reason for those tears as she turned away to look anywhere but at them.
He’s just sick and fussy, she reminded herself. Still, she felt incompetent.
Zira walked by the mantle and perused through all the photos, each one with Arias, each one without her. Sadness tightened her chest and probably showed on her face. She was glad Isaiah couldn't see or feel her as she quickly shook those feelings away and reminded herself why she had left in the first place. To save her son.
Zira continued to peruse through every picture full of smiling faces. Some of her family and Isaiah’s. The boys and their mates. Hunter and Ashlee with their…son? For a moment, she forgot Hunter had a little ‘mini-me’ running around. Then she came across one facedown and picked it up.
It was a photo with a smiling Isaiah and a woman she didn't know. This was before everything that happened between them. She could tell by how long his hair was and how happy he looked. The guy in the photo didn’t knock up his friend or lose his father or had been betrayed by his mate. It wasn’t until he came back from his Alpha training that he decided to wear it short and tapered. The mystery woman was laughing and holding onto Isaiah’s shoulders while he dipped her.
"Who the hell is that," Nina asked, rearing her head.
"She's…probably a friend, Nina, and this was taken long ago. So, simmer down."
"I'll simmer down when I find this woman and rip her arms clean off her body. No one touches mine," she growled, causing a rumble to escape Zira’s mouth.
“Zira,” Isaiah warned, quietly, as Arias started to fuss again.
Isaiah went back to him while Zira smiled. It was the first time he said her name and it felt right. Finally, something that felt right, she thought.
"Geez, Nina. Didn't expect you to be a jealous type. Especially over Devon," Zira teased, knowing Nina's relationship with Devon was close to non-existent. They rarely hung out early in their relationship and most of the time Nina only seemed to want to wrestle.
"He is my mate. It's natural to not want others to touch him," Nina countered. "And yes, I would wrestle with Devon all day if you let me."
It took a few minutes, but Isaiah finally got Arias back to sleeping soundly. Against her better judgment, Zira bent down to plant a kiss on Arias’s forehead, careful not to wake him.
"What are you guys feeding him,” she whispered as they moved away from the bed. “He's heavier than before."
"It's what happens when you're gone for over a year, Zira," Isaiah said. "Life doesn't just stop, you know."
Right just kick me down even further, she thought. "I know that, Isaiah. I wasn't trying-"
"I know," he interrupted while dragging a hand over his tired face.
Zira sighed. She wasn't in the mood for an argument, but they had to air out their issues if they were going to move past this.
“Well, we can’t do this here,” she said, gesturing for him to lead the way to his office or wherever he wanted to go to talk.
Isaiah didn’t move from his spot as he stared at her. The power in the room tickled across her skin like a warm breeze. Usually that would be soothing but she knew it was his anger.
“Not tonight,” he said plainly, crossing the room to the door just as someone knocked on it. Isaiah whispered something, turning around with a tray of food in his hands. He placed the tray on the coffee table. “In case you’re hungry from your trip.”
Zira couldn’t believe her eyes as her stomach sang praises to Isaiah. She quickly walked to the table, drooling from the smell of food.
“You are a godsend,” she said to Isaiah, who smiled just a little before clearing his throat.
“Yes, well, try not to wake him with your eating sou…”
“Mm mm,” Zira moaned loudly while stuffing meat into her mouth and completely ignoring what Isaiah said.
Isaiah shook his head and turned to leave.
“Wait, you’re not staying,” Zira asked between bites.
“How about you stay here with him,” Isaiah suggested. “It might help him get used to having you back.”
“And…” she hesitated, not wanting to ask this question because in the back of her mind she knew the answer, but there was a little hope. Mostly from Nina. “...will you be joining later?”
A mix of emotions cycled through his face before it was back to a neutral expression. She could feel her heartbeat racing, anticipating his answer. Every part of her being reached for him. Couldn’t he feel it?
“I have some training to prepare for, so….”
And just like that, another disappointment to add to her list. She knew she wasn’t in a position to argue, but it didn’t stop her from trying.
“Training? Isaiah, it’s two in the morning,” Zira laughed, but immediately stopped when she saw his deadpan expression. O…k, she thought. “You’re not even dressed for training,” she said, even though it wasn’t a valid argument, but it did make him look down at his attire.
“You’re right,” he smiled, and for a moment her heart warmed at the sight. His first genuine smile was because of what she said. “I should probably hurry and do something about that. Goodnight, Zira.”
Isaiah left without another glance back as she stood frozen in place. She couldn’t believe that was it. He just left, just like that. A taste of her own medicine, she guessed. She knew it wasn’t going to be easy, but she didn’t expect it was going to be this hard. She had to stay positive.
I mean, he can’t hate me and be angry forever, right? Right?