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Chapter 215
~Aira’s POV~
I blinked when she heard my mother’s words. "She’s expected to host and plan it this year. It’s a test, Aira. One she can’t afford to fail."
I frowned slightly, the weight of my mom’s words settling over me. "You think Zara’s ready for that?"
"She has to be," Mom said firmly. "This isn’t just about her role as Luna—it’s about the pack’s unity and her acceptance as one of us. Snow can’t shield her from this responsibility forever. She has to prove herself."
I nodded slowly. "I’ll let her know," I promised.
"Good," Mom replied, her voice softening again. "You’re a good sister, Aira. Be there for her and Snow."
The call ended, and I sat there for a moment, processing the news. Hosting and planning the pageant wasn’t just a task; it was a monumental challenge.
But if there’s any werewolf I know who could rise to the occasion, it was Zara.
A small smile crept onto my face as I stood, my excitement building. I couldn’t wait to see her reaction. Without wasting another second, I hurried upstairs to her room.
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~Kane’s POV~
The hotel room reeked of antiseptic, and I groaned in frustration as the doctor dabbed at the wound on my side.
Every movement sent a fresh wave of pain coursing through my body, a sharp reminder of my encounter with Draven and Snow’s warriors.
I clenched my fists, the memory of that day flashing vividly in my mind. The chase had been relentless, and I had barely escaped with my life.
I could still hear the shouts of Snow’s warriors and feel the earth tremble beneath their pounding feet.
The edge of the cliff was ahead, my only option for survival. Without a second thought, I had jumped, plunging into the icy waters below.
"Hold still," the doctor muttered in a clipped tone.
"Enough," I growled, shoving his hand away. "You’ve done enough. Leave."
The doctor hesitated, but one look at the anger blazing in my eyes had him gathering his supplies and retreating quickly.
The door clicked shut behind him, and I leaned back against the bed, my breathing laboured.
The door opened again, but this time it was Kylian, my beta. His expression was a mix of relief and exasperation as he stepped inside.
"You look terrible," Kylian remarked, closing the door behind him.
I glared at him. "And you look like you’ve been lounging while I’ve been fighting for my life."
Kylian smirked, pulling up a chair beside the bed. "If it weren’t for me, you’d be at the bottom of that cliff, rotting."
I didn’t respond immediately, and the memory of Kylian’s timely rescue replayed in my mind.
"You found me," I said finally, my tone begrudging.
Kylian leaned back, crossing his arms. "You’re welcome. I knew you’d jump—figured you’d rather face the ocean than those warriors. I was waiting with the boat."
"How did you know?" I asked, my brow furrowing.
Kylian shrugged. "You’re predictable when you’re desperate, Kane. But damn, you’ve got to stop testing your luck. That jump should’ve killed you. No, scratch that; going back to Snow’s territory could have ended your fucking life."
I clenched my jaw, the anger bubbling up again. "They’ll pay for this," I growled.
Kylian studied me for a moment, his smirk fading. "You’re alive, Kaid. That’s what matters. But what’s the plan now?"
I didn’t answer immediately, my thoughts consumed by the image of Aira in another man’s arms. The way she looked at him, the way she clung to him—it ignited a fire of rage and jealousy in my chest.
"They took what’s mine," I said through gritted teeth. "And I’ll make sure they regret it."
Kylian sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. "You’ve got a death wish, don’t you?"
"Just get ready," I snapped. "We’re not done yet."
Kylian nodded, though the look in his eyes suggested he wasn’t entirely convinced. As he stood to leave, I stared out the window, the city lights reflecting in my eyes.
Aira had chosen someone else, an alpha, but this wasn’t over. Not by a long shot.
*****************
~Kaid’s POV~
As I drove through the winding roads of the Lycan Kingdom, the once-familiar sight of the sprawling, fortress-like city failed to bring me any comfort. My grip on the steering wheel tightened.
Even after all the pep talk Richard and I did, I was still not okay.
Richard sat beside me, his eyes darting toward me every few moments as if debating whether to speak.
When he finally broke the silence, his voice was cautious. "What’s the plan, Kaid? You’ve been brooding ever since we left the hotel."
I didn’t answer immediately, my eyes locked on the road ahead. The images of Zara in Snow’s arms replayed in my mind like a cruel loop.
Every time I tried to push it away, the way she clung to him clawed its way back into my thoughts.
"I’m going to do what I should’ve done long ago," I said finally.
"And what’s that?" Richard asked, his brow furrowing.
"I’m calling her mother."
Richard blinked, clearly taken aback. "Zaria? You’re serious?"
I shot him a sidelong glance, my jaw tightening. "Do I look like I’m joking?"
"You’re going to talk to Zaria after everything? What do you expect her to do? Hand Zara over on a silver platter?"
I ignored the skepticism in his tone as I pulled into the courtyard of the main palace. The massive gates groaned open, revealing the grandeur of the Lycan King’s stronghold. The towering spires loomed above us, their silver peaks gleaming against the darkening sky.
Parking the car, I stepped out, feeling the weight of my decision pressing down on me. Richard followed closely, his usual cocky demeanour replaced with unease.
"Kaid," he called, matching my brisk pace as we made our way through the halls. "This is a bold move, even for you. Zaria isn’t someone you can manipulate."
"I don’t intend to manipulate her," I said sharply, my voice echoing off the high ceilings. "I intend to remind her of her husband’s promises. Zara was promised to me, and Zaria knows it."
Richard snorted. "That was decades ago, Kaid. A lot has changed since then, including Zara herself. Do you think she’ll go along with this?"
"She will," I said, my tone hardening. "Because she’ll realize that I’m the only one who can keep Zara safe."
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