The Alpha's Mate ON HOLD TILL JAN 2025

Chapter 38

LEAH

I didn't move from the bed, and time ticked by when someone knocked on my door.

Tala was quiet in my head, which was weird as she would usually be around talking to me.

Letting out a breath as I sat up. "Come in," I shouted.

I watched the door open to reveal a man who grinned. "Hey," he said. "I'm Zain. I'm Carson's friend. I got some things from your mum."

Zain pushed the door wider and placed two bags on the floor. I kept my eyes on him as he moved further inside. He looks around and then looks at me. "You okay?" he asked.

I gave him a nod. "I'm fine," I said. "I just—"

"You feel overwhelmed," he muttered, arching his eyebrow up at me.

I gave him a small smile. "Yeah," I said. "I don't know what to think at the moment."

Zain nodded. "It's understandable," he said. "You have been through so much over the last few days and haven't had enough time to process it."

Well, at least someone understands how I feel.

I looked at the bags he placed down and moved up from the bed. I went over and picked them. Carrying them over to the bed and rummaged through it. I quickly grabbed a hoodie and placed it on.

Making sure the hoodie was in place, I glanced toward one bag and noticed a photo frame. I moved it out and stared at it. It was of my father and me. My heart sank.

I heard movement and someone standing next to me. "Is that your father?" Zain whispered.

I nod as I kept my eyes on the photo. "It is," I said. "This was the last one we took before he passed away. I won a football match, and they even made me the player of the match."

"Wow," he said. "I didn't think you were into sports."

Frowning, I looked at him. His hands went up in surrender. "Sorry," he murmured with a cocky grin. "I didn't mean it by anything. I just meant I didn't realize you were into anything like that. We have a football team here. Maybe we can get you a tryout on the team or something?"

I smiled. "Maybe," I said. "I don't know yet. I only did it as my father was a big football fan, and it brought us closer together when I played."

Zain nodded, and his eyes went to the photo. "Maybe sticking to it," he said, looking up at me and smiling. "It will be something between you and him."

Zain had a point. Maybe keeping to some things that dad did with me will help me slowly heal.

"Maybe," I murmured, moving toward the bedside table and placing it down. I looked over at Zain and sighed.

Zain looked around and then came back to me. "How about I show you around the place?" he asked.

I cocked my head to the side. "Cassie showed me around some parts yesterday, but she had to leave to do something," I said.

Zain grinned. "Well, you have me as your tour guide," he said. "I can show everywhere, and then maybe we could watch a film or something."

"Sounds like a plan," I murmured.

Zain grinned. "Great," he said. "Come on then. The sooner you see the place, the sooner we can watch a film. They are showing Willow."

I said nothing. Zain moved toward the door, with me following behind him. We headed out of the room, but my eyes went to the door opposite.