Chapter 39: After Effects

Words : 1649 Updated : Sep 10th, 2025

Chapter 39: After Effects Natalie~ After the attack at the park, everything changed. It was as though Zane had wrapped me in an invisible shield, keeping the world and its dangers at bay. At first, I didn’t understand the intensity of his protection. Every time I wanted to go out, especially to pick up Alexander from school, Zane would order nearly seven men to accompany me. Seven. It wasn’t just security; it was a convoy. The first time it happened, I stared at the lineup of towering men in black suits waiting for me by the door. "Sir," I said, my tone incredulous. "What is this?" He glanced at me from behind his laptop, his eyes unreadable, his expression unbothered. "Protection." he realized nonchalantly. "Protection?" I repeated, crossing my arms. "This feels more like a parade. I’m just going to pick up Alexander." "And you’ll do so safely," he said firmly, not even bothering to look up. "I’m not negotiating on this, Natalie." I sighed, frustrated. "This is overkill." Zane’s gaze finally met mine, and for a moment, his expression softened. "You were attacked, Natalie. Do you think I’m going to take any chances with your safety? Just let me keep you safe, OK?" Something about the way he said it—so quiet, so raw—made my chest tighten. I still didn’t understand why he had suddenly changed his attitude towards me. This Zane right here was far different from the Zane that had once accused me of trying to ruin his life. I didn’t argue with him after that. Then there was Roland. He had always been busy, but after the attack, he barely had time to breathe. And when he did see me, he apologized constantly. "Natalie, I’m really sorry I wasn’t there in time—" "Roland, for the hundredth time, it’s not your fault." "But if I had just been a little faster—" I grabbed his shoulders one day, shaking him lightly. "Would you stop? If I didn’t blame you, then why are you blaming yourself?" Roland sighed heavily but didn’t argue. I knew he still felt guilty. Abel was just as busy—if not more—but I got the sense he was keeping an eye on things from the shadows. And then there was Jacob. I tried, countless times, to get him to explain how he managed to fend off those men at the park. The power he possessed, the way he spoke into my mind, the way he moved—it wasn’t normal. But every time I brought it up, Jacob, who always had an answer for everything, suddenly became an expert at dodging mine. "You spoke into my head, Jacob," I confronted him one afternoon. "How did you do that? Are you even human?" Jacob simply stretched his arms behind his head, smirking. "Define human." I glared at him. "You know what I mean." He chuckled. "I know a lot of things. For example, I know Mr Lucky stares at you when you’re not looking." I nearly choked on my drink. "That’s not true...I... I mean, that’s not what we’re talking about!" Jacob winked. "See? I successfully changed the subject. I win again." I groaned, defeated. There was no getting anywhere with him. ******** As if everything else wasn’t overwhelming enough, Sebastian started coming to the house way more often than before. It was almost suspicious. One evening, Nora asked me to bring Zane his coffee in his office, and that was when I overheard something intriguing. Standing outside the office door, I could hear their voices. "The Moonstone keeps pointing here, It has to be here somewhere," Sebastian was saying, his tone laced with frustration. "I’ve searched every corner of this house," Zane replied, equally tense. "I don’t know where else you want me to look. The bodyguard is clearly very smart but what I can’t figure out is what it’s looking for in my home?" My curiosity piqued, and I leaned in quietly towards the door. Who or what were they talking about? Before I could eavesdrop any further, Sebastian’s smooth voice called out, "You can come in, Natalie." My heart skipped a beat. I was so stupid. I had completely forgotten they were supernatural. I hesitated before I pushed the door open stepping inside. Zane’s expression had completely shut down, as if the conversation had never happened while Sebastian on the other hand looked entirely too smug. "Eavesdropping, Natalie?" Zane asked, his tone teasing but his eyes sharp. I flushed. "No! I was just bringing coffee." Sebastian grinned, showing the edge of his sharp vampire fangs. "Sure you were." Zane sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. "Do you need anything else?" "Nothing," I said quickly, setting the tray down. "Nora asked me to bring Coffee, that’s all. I’ll just... leave you to it." As I left, I couldn’t shake the feeling that their conversation was about more than just a missing bodyguard. ********* Three days before my exams, Jacob dropped a bombshell. "I won’t be coming over anymore," he announced casually, like he wasn’t about to break my heart. I blinked at him, trying to process his words. "What? Why?" "Well, your tutoring’s done," he said with a shrug. "You’re ready for your exams." "Can’t you still come over... as a friend?" I asked, my voice edged with hesitation. "Or is this about me pressing you on what happened at the park? If that’s the issue, I swear I won’t bring it up again." Jacob hesitated, his usual sass replaced by something more serious. "Natalie, this isn’t about that, I promise." I searched his face, desperate for a way to change his mind. He was the only real friend I had left—just like Garrick had been. And I couldn’t lose him too. Not again. Jacob exhaled, leaning in slightly. "Mr Lucy’s house is becoming a dangerous place for me to keep visiting." I frowned. "What do you mean? What danger?" He gave me a small smile, but it didn’t reach his eyes. "Don’t worry about it. I’ll see you again someday, somewhere." As he spoke, his gaze drifted, and he suddenly smirked, as if sharing an inside joke with himself. "Talking about dangers," he muttered, his tone cryptic. "It’ll be here soon." Before I could press him further, he grabbed his bag and left in a hurry. Barely five minutes later, Sebastian arrived. Throughout his visit, he kept giving me strange looks, his intense gaze making me uncomfortable. "What?" I snapped at one point, unable to take it anymore. He chuckled, his fangs glinting. "Nothing, little Natty. Just wondering how you’d taste." My blood ran cold, but before I could respond, Zane walked in, cutting the tension with his commanding presence, and I never felt so thankful. The day of my exams finally arrived, and to my surprise, Zane cleared his packed schedule just to personally escort me to the exam center. It was unexpected—but comforting. His presence was like a silent promise that I wasn’t alone in this. When I stepped out after the last paper, he was waiting outside, leaning casually against the car. His usual guarded expression was gone, replaced by something calmer, almost... relaxed. "How was it?" he asked as we walked toward the car. I let out a breath, a grin forming. "Not as hard as I thought. Jacob drilled me well." Zane smirked. "Good. At least he wasn’t just all bark and no bite." I laughed, shaking my head as we drove off. A week later, the results came in, and to my surprise, I got straight A’s. The moment I told Zane, his reaction was instant. His eyes lit up with pure joy as he pulled me into a rare, unexpected hug. "I knew you could do it!" he said, his voice full of pride. Later that day, everyone had found out about the results courtesy of Zane. The house exploded with celebration. Zane was beaming—an expression I had never seen on him before. "We must celebrate!" Zane declared. "A fancy restaurant. Everyone’s invited." Sebastian chuckled. "I’ll pass. Unless, of course, the waitress is on the menu." We all laughed. Alexander clung to my lap, hugging me tight, while Nora and Charlie beamed at me like I had just conquered the world. Even Abel, who rarely showed emotion, leaned against the wall with a genuine, approving smile on his face. Zane stood at the center of it all, his gaze steady on me. "You’ve made everyone proud, Natalie," he said, his voice unusually warm. I looked around, feeling my chest tighten with something overwhelming. This. This was more than I ever dreamed of—a family that cared, a home that felt safe. Tears pricked my eyes, and I silently thanked the Moon Goddess for leading me here. But even in all the joy, something was missing. Someone was missing. Jacob. I hadn’t seen him since he left, and he hadn’t answered my calls. A strange unease settled in my gut, one I couldn’t shake. Where was he? Later that night, as the celebrations quieted, I was sitting in the living room building Legos with Alexander when the thought of Jacob crossed my mind again and I turned to Zane. "Can you call Jacob? I want him to know I passed. He deserves to celebrate too." Zane gave me a small nod and pulled out his phone. But before he could dial, Abel walked into the room. His expression was grave. A heavy silence filled the space as he exchanged a look with Zane and something passed between them. A mind-link, perhaps. I saw it the moment something changed. Zane’s entire body tensed. His jaw clenched. And when he finally turned to face me, his expression was like nothing I’d ever seen before. Not anger. Not frustration. But something far worse. Surprise. And disappointment. A cold weight settled in my stomach. Something had gone wrong. What had Abel just told him?

Chapter 39: After Effects

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