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Chapter 216
~Kaid’s POV~
"And what about Snow?" Richard pressed. "You think he’ll just step aside?"
My steps faltered briefly before I resumed walking. "Snow doesn’t matter. He’s not Lycan. He can’t protect her from what’s coming."
Richard raised an eyebrow but said nothing as we approached the heavy oak doors leading to my quarters.
I pushed them open, the familiar scent of leather and cedarwood greeting me. The room was as I’d left it, pristine yet cold, a reflection of my life here.
Richard leaned against the doorframe, watching as I strode to the sleek communication console in the corner. "And what are you going to say? ’Hey, Zaria, remember that deal we made before Zara was born? Well, I’m cashing in.’"
I glared at him. My patience was wearing thin. "If you have nothing useful to say, leave."
He raised his hands in mock surrender. "Fine, fine. I’ll leave you to your doomed plans."
Ignoring him, I tapped the console, the holographic interface springing to life. My fingers hovered over the keys as I hesitated for the first time.
What if she didn’t answer? freёweɓnovel.com
What if she did?
Shaking off the doubt, I typed in the secure frequency for the Golden Claw Pack’s communication hub. The line rang sharply.
Finally, the call connected, and a familiar figure appeared on the screen.
"Alpha Kaid," Zaria’s voice was calm, but her eyes held a sharpness that warned me she wasn’t pleased. "To what do I owe this unexpected call?"
Did she have to say that still? I groaned internally before putting on my trademark smile and clearing my throat. "Luna Zaria," I greeted, inclining my head slightly. "I believe it’s time we discussed the agreement made between our families."
Her eyes narrowed, and her lips pressed into a thin line. "I assume you’re referring to Zara."
"Indeed," I said, my tone measured. "She was promised to me, and yet I find her in the arms of another."
Zaria’s expression didn’t waver. "That’s because Zara has made her choice. Whatever agreement existed between us is null. She’s not a bargaining chip, Kaid."
"She’s supposed to be my chosen mate," I countered, my voice rising slightly. "And I won’t stand by while another man takes what’s mine."
Zaria’s gaze hardened, and for the first time, a flicker of anger crossed her face. "Zara is not yours to claim. She is a person, not property. If you wish to discuss this further, I suggest you adjust your attitude, Alpha."
The line went dead before I could respond, leaving me staring at the blank screen.
The forest stretched endlessly before me, its dark canopy shrouded in shadows. The faint scent of pine filled my nostrils as I stood at the edge, my wolf clawing for freedom inside me.
"Come on," I muttered, shrugging off my jacket and tossing it onto a low-hanging branch. The cool night air kissed my skin as I kicked off my boots, every muscle in my body humming with tension.
The shift struck swiftly, causing my bones to crack and then reform, while fur began to sprout along my arms.
I let out a low growl as the transformation completed, my wolf taking over. The frustration, the anger, and the helplessness seemed to melt away as I launched myself into the woods.
My paws pounded against the soft earth, and the wind rushed past my ears. Here, in this form, there were no deals, no failed plans, no Snow—just the raw power of my wolf and the primal need to run.
I zigzagged through the dense trees, jumping over fallen logs and ducking under low branches. My mind began to clear with each stride, and soon, all that was left was the sound of my breathing and the forest’s whispers.
Then I caught it.
The faintest trace of her scent. Zara.
I froze mid-step, my claws digging into the dirt. The sweetness of her scent wrapped around me, making my chest tighten. It wasn’t fresh, but it was enough to drive me mad.
Why is she here?
Without hesitation, I followed the trail, my senses sharpening with every step. The forest seemed to thrum with life around me, the sounds of nocturnal creatures blending with the rustle of leaves.
The trail led to a small clearing where the moonlight spilt like silver liquid onto the ground. In the middle, I perceived Zara’s scent strongly.
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