Chapter 0494

Zachary

*Rejecting Jasmine was the right choice." Brianna sighs, gently rocking Luca in her arms.

I scan her cluttered living space. *And I'm fairly certain she's dead now."

She stops moving. *Care to elaborate?"

*I was heading home to check on Lottie but changed course to come here instead. I witnessed Alexander take her into the woods. Luc followed shortly after. Only Alexander emerged."

*But Luc and Jasmine never did?"

*Exactly."

*Are you feeling guilty? That's not typical for you."

*I'm uncertain about my emotions. Everything I've struggled to suppress has resurfaced. When the hold on Jasmine shattered and I recognized her, all I could think about was Isabella and her fate."

*You know her situation wasn't normal."

*Is anything about us normal?" I raise an eyebrow at her.

*Poor wording," she mutters.

*What I mean is, I don't comprehend how Jasmine could have been my mate. She was a self-righteous, insane witch. And that's putting it mildly."

Brianna laughs at me. *Definitely not your type."

*And Lottie despised her."

*Charlotte has very clear preferences about people. Speaking of her, how is she handling the changes with Liam?"

*Better."

*And Liam? What becomes of him now?"

*With Levi gone, he'll probably be released. He likely won't have independent freedom for a while."

*Just like his sister."

I hadn't considered Seraphina much. She kept quiet and handled her business. *I'm going home."

*Sure you don't want to stay?"

*No, I need to clear my head."

I stand at my front door, listening to Lottie's delighted squeals. For a moment, it reminded me of how Isabella used to make her laugh. Every time I heard that sound before, Isabella was always right there with her.

Lottie appears at the window, her cheeks flushed with what looks like beads in her hair. *Are you coming inside, Daddy?"

*I'll be back shortly. Is that alright?"

*Okay, but hurry! Me and Evelyn have a surprise." I still couldn't believe how much Lottie adored Evelyn when everyone else here seemed to have issues with her.

I take the longer route to the small cemetery. I hadn't stepped foot here since the day we buried Isabella and her twin. I had no words then, and I'm not sure I have any now.

The cemetery remained impeccably maintained. Weeds and fallen leaves had been cleared away, with vibrant flowers lining each grave. I stand at the edge of hers, hands in my pockets, silently wishing she had never given up on life. That she had found a way to tell me she was done.

I still blamed myself. I watched her fade away, and the small efforts I made to prevent it weren't enough. I should have tried harder. I should have made her more of a priority. I should have fought for her more fiercely. *You couldn't have changed anything."

I look up to see Luc. Dirt smudges his face, a shovel resting on his shoulder.

*I thought I might find you here. I did the same when I realized Hannah was my mate. I returned to my first mate's grave."

He sets the shovel down, leaning it against the small gate before walking over to me.

*You wish things had been different. That you could have found a way to save her. Trust me, I understand. I saw it that night, and I felt the same about my wife."

*When my mate and children were taken from me, I went on a mission. I hunted and slaughtered every Rogue I could find while searching for Seraphina and Charlotte. I didn't stop because I didn't want to feel. You distanced yourself because any mention of her brings you right back to this feeling." He points at Isabella's grave.

*Is that why you don't spend time with your daughter?" I snap.