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Chapter 226
~Kaid’s POV~
Richard’s brows shot up, and I felt my chest tighten. "What are you talking about?" I demanded.
"You’ve already felt it," she said, her voice steady. "The pull. The unexplainable connection. You think it’s about an old promise, but it’s more than that, Kaid. Zara’s destiny is tied to yours in ways you cannot yet comprehend."
My wolf growled in the back of my mind, unsettled but intrigued. "And what does that have to do with you?"
Siona’s smile returned, but it was tinged with sadness. "I am but a guide, Alpha. I was there because she sought answers—answers about her place, her past, and her future."
"And what did you tell her?" I pressed.
"Enough to prepare her," she said simply. "But not enough to overwhelm her. Zara’s path is already fraught with danger, Kaid. If you care about her safety, as you claim, you’ll play your role when the time comes."
Her words struck a chord, and I leaned back in my chair, my thoughts racing. "And what is this role you speak of?"
"You’ll know when the moment arrives," she said cryptically, rising from her seat. "But heed my warning, Alpha. Zara’s fate will affect more than just her—it will ripple across packs, alliances, and kingdoms. If you fail to protect her, the consequences will be dire."
I stood abruptly, my fists clenching at my sides. "Protect her from what?"
Siona turned to the door, pausing with her hand on the handle. "From those who fear what she represents. From those who would use her to gain power. And perhaps, from yourself."
The final words were barely audible, yet they struck me with force.
"Wait," Richard said, stepping forward. "What do you mean, from himself?"
Siona didn’t answer. Instead, she opened the door, her figure disappearing into the hallway without another word.
Silence fell in the study, the weight of her prophecy hanging heavily in the air.
Richard was the first to speak. "That was... unsettling."
"She’s hiding something," I said, my voice low. "And I’ll find out what it is."
Richard studied me for a moment, his usual smirk replaced with a rare seriousness. "Do you think she’s right? About Zara and the prophecy?"
I didn’t answer immediately. Instead, I stared at the closed door, Siona’s final words echoing in my mind.
"I don’t know," I admitted finally. "But I won’t let Zara become a pawn in someone else’s game. If there’s even a chance she’s in danger, I’ll do whatever it takes to protect her."
Richard nodded, and his loyalty was clear in his gaze. "Then we’ll figure this out together."
As he left the room, I sank back into my chair, my mind churning.
I wondered if I should tell Zara or inform her that I knew about whatever she was doing. I picked up the telephone on my table and dialled a number.
After a few rings, the line connected. "Hello?"
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~Ivan’s POV~
The dingy bar was alive with conversations and the occasional clink of glasses. The dim lighting did little to hide the scuffed wooden floors or the faint haze of smoke lingering in the air.
I sat in a shadowed corner, nursing a glass of whiskey and tapping my fingers against the table impatiently.
Across from me, Lucas—my oldest friend and occasional accomplice—stared at me with a raised brow, his usual smug smirk plastered on his face.
"You’ve been quiet, Ivan," Lucas said, leaning back in his chair. He was dressed casually, his leather jacket slung over the back of his seat. "That’s not like you. What’s eating you up?"
I shot him a sharp look but didn’t reply immediately. Instead, I downed the rest of my drink in one gulp, the burn doing little to soothe the fire churning in my gut.
"Snow and Zade," I said finally, my voice low but filled with venom. "Ever since those bastards showed up with their warnings, I’ve had to keep my head down. Do you have any idea how much that pisses me off?"
Lucas chuckled and the sound grated on my nerves. "Yeah, I got an idea. You’ve been sulking for weeks."
"I’m not sulking," I snapped, slamming the glass onto the table. A few heads turned in our direction, but I didn’t care. "I’m regrouping. Planning. And now, I’m ready to strike."
Lucas leaned forward, his smirk widening. "Oh? You’ve got a plan? Do tell."
I leaned back in my chair, letting the shadows hide my expression as I considered my next move. "It’s not just Snow and Zade I’m dealing with. Zara’s back in the picture, and she’s... changed. She’s not the same naïve girl she used to be. That complicates things."
Lucas’s brow furrowed. "Zara? I thought you were done with her."
I scoffed. "Done? I was never done. Zara’s always been part of the equation, duh. She’s... valuable. More than she knows."
Lucas’s smirk returned, but there was a glint of curiosity in his eyes. "Valuable, huh? You’re not thinking of going after her again, are you? I mean after that warning you got. Besides, Clarissa’s last ploy failed, what else would you do?"
I didn’t answer, but my silence spoke volumes. Lucas chuckled again, shaking his head. "You’re a piece of work, Ivan. You really think you can pull this off? With Snow breathing down your neck?"
"Snow’s a problem, but he’s not invincible," I said matter-of-factly. "Everyone has a weakness. I just need to find his."
Before Lucas could reply, my phone buzzed on the table, the screen lighting up with an unfamiliar number.
I frowned, picking it up and glancing at the display. No name, just a string of digits.
"Who the hell is this?" I muttered.
"Answer it," Lucas said with a shrug. "Could be important."
I hesitated for a moment before swiping to accept the call and bringing the phone to my ear. "Hello?"
There was a pause on the other end, followed by a low, measured voice. "Ivan. I trust this is a good time?"
The hairs on the back of my neck stood up at the sound of his voice. "Who’s asking?"
"Marcus," the voice said smoothly.
My eyes widened. Marcus as in the Marcus?
"Marcus?" I couldn’t help my curiosity.
"Marcus Deveraux. And I believe we have a common interest."