𝐓𝐰𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐅𝐚𝐭𝐞 ⸙

2.26༊*·˚

Zayn felt a little better when he went to his office instead of the bedroom. Now that he had poured his heart onto Liam, he had to do the same to his pack. But he had so much apologising to do, it was best to write down points that he could focus on, so he didn't forget anything. Zayn had a lot to apologise for, and not stepping up when it mattered was a big one.

Baela had written down basic points, like trust, anger issues, and how it looked like he didn't care about the pack. But now that Zayn was on his own again, he struggled to figure out where to start. His office felt too quiet, and too lonely.

Without Liam around, Zayn was very aware of how he no longer liked to be on his own.

I'm not good at this, Zayn thought, sitting back in the leather swizzle chair.

Is it wrong of me to ask for help from an apology that should come from only me? Zayn aggressively stabbed his pen into the paper.

I know why I'm sorry, but how do I put it into words?

Zayn had so easily leaked his emotions earlier that day, and Liam had been surprised. Zayn had been surprised, but after crying on his mother, his emotions were visiting more frequently.

Slowly, Zayn was learning that opening up wasn't a weakness, and suppressing emotions was destroying him.

Zayn didn't want to crumble on his pack and cry in front of them all, but he had to sound like he really meant his apology and would do better in the future. He didn't want to talk about how he was rushed into the Alpha role. He didn't want to make the wolves feel sorry for him. Zayn wanted to own up to his mistakes.

Admitting them was the hardest part, especially when he lived his twenty-one year's denying them.

********

"So he spoke to you?" Baela asked, sitting with Liam in the corner of the field eating homemade ice cream. Liam savoured black currant. Baela loved Vanilla.

"Well, when I say spoke... he broke down. He even cried.!"

"Really?"

Liam nodded. "It took all I had not to run to him. His apology was everything I could've asked for, but I'm giving him more time to think about what actions he has to take. I'm almost ready to be there for him again."

"I think it really hit him this time. He's had a taste of what life will be like if he continues to make mistakes like this."

Liam stared at the grass weaving between his bare toes. "We've had some great times together, and there were weeks and even months where he was really good. I wish it could just be like that all the time."

"We'll get him help and then we'll see a very different Zayn. The true Zayn."

"Yeah, hopefully."

Baela nudged him. "We will figure him out. He will let us this time. I have a good feeling about it."

She ate the rest of her ice cream, beaming at Liam whenever he glanced at her with uncertain eyes.

"You're usually the optimistic one."

"I guess not being around Zayn is affecting me more than I thought it would. I thought I'd just get a headache and feel more tired, but without him I just can't think. I can't even read."

"You can't read? Gosh, there is something not right there."

"Mates are not supposed to be this distant." Liam pulled knees to his chest and stared into the woods beyond the fence.