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Chapter 204
~Alpha King Kaid’s POV~
The faint glow of the moon filtered through the tall windows of my chamber, casting long shadows across the room.
I paced the length of the floor, my hands clasped behind my back, my mind swirling with fragmented memories.
Zara.
Even her name lingered in my thoughts like an echo, refusing to fade.
I had been captivated the moment she descended the stairs at the Alpha Ball. Her beauty, her poise—it was as if time had folded in on itself, transporting me back to a memory I hadn’t revisited in years.
The vision of her standing beside her mother, Zaria, that night mirrored another moment from long ago.
I closed my eyes, allowing myself to drift into the memory.
I had been no older than eight, brimming with child-like arrogance as I accompanied my father, the reigning Lycan King, to the strongest werewolf pack of that era.
Zara’s father had been a formidable Alpha, respected and feared by all.
We arrived at their packhouse amidst much fanfare. The Alpha greeted us warmly. But it was the moment my father inquired about his Luna and their daughter that the air seemed to shift.
"Zaria and Zia are in the west wing," the Alpha had said with pride as he sent for them.
Zara—or Zia, as she was called then—entered the room with her mother, hand-in-hand. She had been no more than a child, perhaps five or six, but even then, her presence had left an indelible mark on me.
Her innocent curiosity shone through as she peeked at me from behind her mother’s skirts. Her wide, curious eyes sparkled like twin stars, and when she smiled shyly, something deep within me stirred.
"That one," my father had whispered to me, his sharp eyes catching my fascination. "I see it in your face, Kaid. She’s special."
My father hadn’t stopped there. Turning to Zia’s father, he had said with a grin, "It seems my son has taken a liking to your daughter. Perhaps this is fate’s way of bringing our families together."
Zia’s father had chuckled warmly, his large hand resting on his daughter’s head. "It would be an honor to unite our packs through marriage. When the time comes, she’ll be ready."
The agreement had been made lightly, with no formal bindings. But for me, it was as if my destiny had been written in stone.
That memory faded into the present, leaving a bitter taste in my mouth.
She was supposed to be mine.
Instead, I saw her descend the stairs at the Alpha Ball, not as Zia, the girl promised to me, but as Zara, the wife of another. Her gaze, filled with warmth and love, was directed toward him—Snow Zephyr.
The thought of her being claimed by someone else set my wolf on edge, and I clenched my jaw to keep from growling.
"Why did fate play this cruel game?" I muttered under my breath, my pacing resuming.
Suddenly, a knock on the door pulled me from my thoughts.
"Enter," I barked, my voice rougher than intended.
The door creaked open, and Richard, my Beta and oldest friend, stepped inside. His sharp gaze took in my disheveled appearance and the tension in the room.
"You’ve been pacing for hours," he said, closing the door behind him. "What’s wrong, Kaid?"
I didn’t respond immediately, turning my back to him as I stared out the window. The silence stretched between us until finally, I exhaled deeply.
"I saw her," I said, my voice barely above a whisper.
Richard frowned, stepping closer. "Who?"
"The girl," I said, turning to face him. "The one I’ve been waiting for. Zia."
His eyes widened in realization. "You mean... the Alpha’s daughter? The one you were promised to?"
I nodded, my hands clenching at my sides. "Her name is Zara now. She’s grown into everything I imagined she would be. Beautiful, strong... perfect."
"And?" Richard prompted, though he already sensed where this was going.
"She belongs to someone else," I admitted, my voice breaking slightly.
Richard’s face softened, a rare moment of sympathy crossing his features. "You’re sure it’s her?"
"There’s no doubt," I said firmly. "Her face, her aura... it’s her, Richard. I would recognize her anywhere."
He nodded slowly, his expression thoughtful. "And Snow Zephyr? He’s her mate?"
I let out a bitter laugh. "Yes, well no. Not really. Technically, they are not mates, just husband and wife. He’s claimed her. Yet, every fiber of my being screams that she was meant to be mine."
Richard stepped closer, placing a hand on my shoulder. "Kaid, this is dangerous territory. The mate bond is sacred. You can’t challenge it—not without severe consequences."
"I know that," I snapped, shrugging off his hand. "But do you think it’s easy to stand by and do nothing? To watch the one person I’ve waited my whole life for in the arms of another."
"Kaid..."
"I can feel it, Richard," I continued, my voice growing louder. "The bond between us. It’s faint, but it’s there. She was promised to me, and I won’t let some werewolf Alpha take what’s mine."
Richard’s eyes darkened, his tone turning serious. "You’re playing with fire. Snow Zephyr is no ordinary Alpha, and Zara... she’s no ordinary woman. If you go down this path, you risk war—not just with him, but with her entire pack."
I knew he was right, but the wolf inside me was relentless. It clawed at my mind, demanding I do something, anything, to bring her back to me.
"I can’t let this go," I said finally, my voice steely with determination. "I won’t let her go."
Richard sighed heavily, his shoulders sagging. "Then you’d better be prepared for what comes next. Because this won’t end without bloodshed."
"I’ve been preparing my whole life," I replied coldly, turning back to the window. "And I’m not afraid to fight for what’s mine."
Richard watched me for a moment longer before nodding. "Then I’ll stand by you, Kaid. No matter what."
As he left the room, the door clicking shut behind him, I stood alone once more, staring into the night.
Zara’s face lingered in my mind, her smile haunting and beautiful.
"You were promised to me," I whispered to the empty room. "And I will have you."