Chapter 3. To War

Becca's POV

"Would you mind if I sit next to you?" Zane asked, pointing at a patch of grass nearby.

"Sure," I said, shrugging.

Something about him felt safe. My instincts told me he wasn't a threat, which made it easier to relax around him.

Zane studied me for a moment, his expression soft but curious. "I don't mean to sound rude, Becca, but you look pretty upset. Your eyes are red, and you seem... heartbroken. Did you lose someone close? Or... did some guy hurt you?"

The mere mention of heartbreak sent a rush of warmth to my cheeks, igniting an uncomfortable heat that spread through my body. My stomach churned with a tight knot of emotion, and I lowered my gaze to the vibrant green grass beneath me, its blades swaying gently in the breeze. I could feel the dam inside me threatening to burst, as tears tinged with the weight of unspoken words battled for release, hovering just beneath the surface all day long.

He gave a slight, thoughtful hum, a faint smile tugging at the corner of his lips. "I'm getting warmer, huh? Look, I'm not great at this comforting thing, but... I'm decent at martial arts. So, if you need me to fight someone for you, just say the word."

Despite the ache in my chest, I almost laughed. He was trying to cheer me up, and for a split second, it worked.

But then the image returned. Elyon—my Elyon—sinking his fangs into her neck. The memory hit like a punch, and before I could stop myself, tears spilled over. My breath caught, and I sobbed, the pain too raw to hide.

Zane didn't hesitate. He reached for me, pulling me into his arms, his hold strong but gentle. He didn't say anything, just held me close, one hand stroking my hair as I buried my face in his chest.

"This must've been really painful," he whispered, his voice soothing but full of sympathy.

I stayed there, clinging to him tightly, drawing comfort from the steady rhythm of his heartbeat beneath my ear. His warmth enveloped me like a soft blanket, a solid presence I could rely on while the world around me felt utterly shattered and chaotic.

After a while, his voice broke the silence again, this time softer, almost tender. "You seem like someone who’s used to leaning on someone. Like you’re not used to facing this kind of pain alone."

His words cut deep, hitting closer to home than I wanted to admit and making me feel even more exposed and vulnerable. Yet, he was right. It wasn’t just the heart-wrenching breakup that left me feeling adrift; it was the disarray of everything in my life. For so long, Elyon had been the center of my existence—my anchor, my identity—and now, with him gone, it felt as if that entire life had been violently wrenched away, leaving behind a haunting void.

Slowly, I pulled back, wiping my eyes with the sleeve of my jacket. "It's... complicated," I mumbled. "I thought we had something real. And then he just... threw it all away."

Zane sat silently, his eyes fixed on me as I unfolded my story, each word laced with the weight of my heartbreak. I spoke of Elyon, the man who had once filled my dreams with promises and visions of a future together. Those dreams had crumbled to dust the instant his mate appeared, shattering everything we had built. I hesitated to mention the werewolf aspects of our lives, uncertain how much a human like Zane would understand.

Finally, I fell silent, the emotional exhaustion settling heavily on my shoulders. Zane exhaled deeply, the sound echoing the burden of my words. "Wow. That’s... brutal, Becca," he said, his voice steady yet filled with empathy. "Seriously, no one deserves that. I'm not going to lie—it sounds like going back there would be a form of torture. Seeing him with her, acting like you never mattered."

I swallowed hard, feeling the lump in my throat. "Yeah, that's exactly why I ran. I couldn't bear to stay and watch it happen."

Silence fell between us for a moment before Zane spoke again, more serious this time. "Look, I know we just met, but I have this house—a big place, way too much space for just me. If you need somewhere to figure things out, you're welcome to stay there."

I blinked, caught completely off guard. "Wait... what? You want me to stay with you? We barely know each other."

He shrugged. "I get it sounds crazy, but hear me out. The house is huge. You'd have your own space, and I work most of the day, so it's not like we'd be tripping over each other. Besides," he added with a grin, "I have references if you need to check I'm not some creep."

A small, surprised laugh escaped me, despite the ache still pressing on my chest. "References? Seriously?"

"Absolutely," he said, leaning back on his hands with a playful smirk. "I'm practically a model citizen. My grandma would vouch for me."

The smile lingered on my lips longer than I expected. But as the idea sank in, the weight of reality returned. "Why would you do this for me, Zane? We're strangers. You don't owe me anything."

His face softened. "Because... I've been there, Becca. It's not the same, but I know what it's like to feel lost. And no one should have to go through that alone."

For the first time in days, I felt something other than sadness. Relief, maybe. Hope.

I hesitated, searching his face for any sign of hidden motives. There were none. Just kindness and sincerity.

And right now, I needed that.

"Okay," I whispered. "I'll come with you."

His smile widened, the tension in his shoulders easing. "Great. When do you want to leave?"

I wiped the last of my tears and took a deep breath. "Now."

Zane helped me to my feet, his hand lingering just a second longer than necessary before he let go. As we walked side by side, I realized the ache in my chest hadn't disappeared. But for the first time in a long while, it felt just a little bit lighter.