“He’s just doing what he always does,” Zack said with a quiet shrug. “Trying to make everything about him.”
It was clear why Theo was here, but seriously, why couldn’t he just leave Zack alone?
Then Theo and his band were done performing. The smug lion’s gaze landed on us, an arrogant smile spread across his face.
He pretended to look surprised, like he hadn’t known exactly where we were standing the whole time.
“Well, well,” Theo said, stepping down from the stage as his band wrapped up their soundcheck. “Zack. Didn’t expect to see you here.”
Liar.
Zack’s expression stayed polite but distant. “Hey, Theo.”
Theo’s gaze slid from him to me, and his smile tightened just slightly before returning to Zack.
“You look good,” Theo said, voice smooth as silk. “Really good. Have you done something new to your hair?”
My wolf snarled under my skin.
“Thanks,” Zack said shortly. “And no.”
Theo tilted his head. “I was hoping we’d get a chance to talk. About what we discussed earlier? You know, getting the guys back together?”
The words hit with double meaning. I could hear what he really meant.You ever think about getting us back together?
Zack froze for a second, and that second was enough. My wolf surged. Before I even realized what I was doing, I was stepping forward.
“He’s not interested,” I said, my voice low.
Theo looked at me, amusement flickering in his eyes. “Didn’t realize you were his spokesperson.”
“Yeah, well, anyone who really knew Zack knows when he’s being pressured,” I shot back.
“Mark!” Zack warned, but I couldn’t stop now.
Theo’s smirk widened. “Touchy, aren’t we? Relax. I’m just talking to an old friend.”
My vision sharpened, colors suddenly too bright. I could feel my pulse hammering through my veins, my wolf clawing at the surface. Theo’s scent was too close, too taunting.
I took another step forward before I knew it, and Theo mirrored it, his expression turning smug. He was purposely flaring his aura, his inner lion taunting my wolf. Then my control snapped.
The air cracked with a sound like splintering wood.
It took me a second to realize what had happened. I’d swung, meaning to shove him back, to just get him away, but Theo had sidestepped. My hand had slammed into something else.
Zack’s guitar. The one that had belonged to his dad.
The instrument hit the ground hard, the neck snapping cleanly in two. The crack of it echoed across the stage, louder than any shout.
Time stopped. Zack’s breath caught, his eyes wide in disbelief as he dropped to his knees beside it. His fingers brushed the splintered wood like it was something fragile and sacred.
“No,” he whispered.
Just like that, the haze broke. The anger drained out of me, leaving nothing but cold, gut-deep horror.
“I—Zack—shit, I didn’t mean to,” I whispered.
“Enough!” Zack’s voice cut through, sharp and trembling.
