Could the man be trusted to be discreet? Had they made sure there was no connection to the Parkensons? Had the payoffsgone through? Was the paperwork in order? How would they ensure Zeller never mentioned it? Or Asher?
Their callous dismissal of his child as a problem to be solved chilled him to the bone. Deep down, he hadn’t really thought they’d give his son away.
This afternoon, he again implored Asher to help him, explaining what he’d overheard. And again, his brother refused. Like Antoni, he offered platitudes about doing what he could to help.
Time had run out.
Zeller had no choice but to take his chances on his own.
The reality that he had no money and could barely move wasn’t working in his favor. But he figured if he made it to town, he could find someone to appeal to. Maybe another omega, or a sympathetic beta? His parents were powerful, but there had to be someone.
Pressing a fist to his aching lower back, he lumbered toward the path that would take him to the main highway.
At the garden, he gazed at the zinnias. They were in full bloom despite the chilly weather. It reminded him of that day with Valentin, just before his heat.
You have so many sides—sweet, mischievous, inquisitive, thoughtful, opinionated, kind—but at the heart of everything is your vibrancy.
His memories of Valentin’s admiration spurred him onward. They’d had so little time together, and yet its significance was infinite. Meals in the kitchen. Conversations in the library. Stolen kisses in the garden. The heat when they had made their son.
Valentin had loved him deeply. Zeller had not imagined it.
He loved Valentin, too. And also hated him. Mostly, he hated how much time he’d wasted thinking Valentin would return.
Would he ever find out why Valentin went away?
If Zeller had listened when his fathers first told him that Valentin took their bribe, maybe he wouldn’t be in this situation. If he’d started planning his escape immediately, instead of waiting for a man who was never coming back.
Valentin had been tentative and guarded the entire time they were together. Zeller would never regret what they’d shared, and he certainly did not regret their child, but he had learned his lesson. The only person he could trust was himself.
I’m being drawn to something perfect and unique. I’m not distracted by all the other flowers in the garden.
Maybe Valentin hadn’t been distracted by otherflowers, but something had distracted him. Money. Responsibility. His fears. Zeller would never know.
But he’d believed Valentin that day. And he still believed that part of it. For a few precious months, he had been loved. Truly and for himself.
And for that, he could almost forgive Valentin’s absence.
Almost.
He plodded onto the path and made his way to the road bordering the estate. There weren’t any streetlights, but the full moon shone on the ground. Zeller stuck to the shadows.
Prepared for an arduous journey, he’d kept the contents of his backpack light—a change of clothes, his sketchbook and pencils, a water bottle, and some granola bars.
He stopped after half an hour to take a sip of water. It was slow going, but he had made progress. The highway would be visible soon.
Zeller was five minutes from the intersection when he spotted headlights in front of him. This road was exclusive to the property. Who was driving to the house at this time of night?
He needed to hide. Unfortunately, there were no trees or bushes nearby, so he crouched down and yanked his dark coat over his head.
Holding his breath, Zeller stayed perfectly still as the vehicle drove past. He experienced a second of relief.
But then came the squeal of brakes. The driver pulled over, stopping twenty feet away.
Zeller held his position as the door opened.
“Zeller! I know you’re out there.”
Asher.Dang it!
