Chapter 144
Zara
“Alpha!” she muttered, trying to control the emotions flickering so openly across her face.
“Was anyone chasing you? What happened?” I asked, simultaneously confused and angry, looking in the direction she’d come from.
The back door to the hallway opened, and Halima stuck her head out and said hurriedly,
“Sir, we’re running out of time. You’re next, hurry p>
Zara seemed to regain his composure. At that moment, I didn’t care about that damn podium; I just wanted Zara to be safe.
“We’re going,” Zara replied hastily, and finally her gaze met mine.
I saw a terror in her blue eyes I’d never seen before, not even when someone left a dead bird in her purse. The tears she’d wiped away left marks on her face.
Someone had driven her to tears… anger washed over me like a whirlwind of rage, wanting to devour anyone. I was going to get to the bottom of this.
“We don’t have to do this. I can send Ronald in my place. Tell me what happened?” I gently stroked her back, but the fear in her eyes didn’t subside.
A shudder coursed through her entire body, as if an earthquake were rumbling within her.
“Later, first we need to do this.” She was barely able to stand, clearly hiding what had shaken her.
Halima called us again, and I had no choice but to follow her lead. I led her inside, but for some reason she seemed distant, withdrawn, as if she didn’t want me to touch her.
The makeup artist rushed toward her, fixing a smudge on her face.
“15 seconds,” Halima’s voice boomed, and Zara forced a smile onto her horror-stricken face.
I wanted to comfort her, hug her, and simply carry her away, but she didn’t even look at me. It was as if her mind had shut down.
“You’re ready,” Halima finally announced as the makeup artist retreated and we began to move.
“After this, you have to talk to me. Whatever it is, just tell me. Okay?” I whispered as blinding light and thousands of flashes greeted us on the path.
She didn’t answer, concentrating on her gait, holding her head upright, a forced smile on her lips.
The crowd cheered as we made this stylish statement, but I didn’t care about the world at that moment. I couldn’t tear my eyes away from her face.
“Mr. Sterling!!! Please smile for the camera p>
“What couple p>
“Are they dating p>
“Are you guys dating?” We were bombarded with questions from all sides, but I couldn’t concentrate.
I forced myself to smile and thank everyone for coming to the event, but in reality, my head and heart were screaming that something was wrong.
Reflexively, I gave a rehearsed speech, thanking everyone for their presence and inviting them to our open house to see the winter collection show and dinner.
Zara stood next to me, waving and smiling, but her eyes were unresponsive. Her family was there too, so I figured she’d at least relax after seeing them.
At some point, she froze. As her hand rested on mine, I felt her body tense next to me. I tried to follow her gaze, but she quickly looked away, and I couldn’t figure out who she was looking at.
It was obvious to me. Someone was here who had driven her to her breaking point and brought her to tears. Someone she recognized.
But who?
Could it be Marcus?
Had he revealed himself to her?
So many questions plagued my mind.
I patted her arm to relax her a little, but she didn’t.
We walked backstage, and I tried to talk to her again, but there was a mental link with Alpha Zeke.
I needed to attend the events after the ceremony, but I wasn’t about to do that now. As soon as we crossed backstage, I found Ronald and told him to take care of the guests. He, as expected, nodded and hurried away.
My attention was focused on my pack. Mind link with Alpha Zeke, I came to know that the pack was in danger. So I led her to the room where we had been prepared earlier. And get ready for the pack.
Zara
Pulling on leggings and a blouse, I walked out of the bathroom. Alpha Zeke stood with his arms crossed over his chest, amusement etched on his face. He glanced from Alpha Kane to me.
“Did I interrupt something?” Alpha Zeke smirked, his strangely piercing gaze blazing.
“No.” I shook my head, my face still burning from Alpha Kane’s touch.
“Actually, you interrupted.” Alpha Kane smirked, matching Alpha Zeke’s amusement. “Why p>
Zeke took Kane’s question as permission to speak in my presence, and his smirk faded only slightly as he spoke.
“While you guys were busy looking for Ryan, Luna Freya had other plans.” Alpha Zeke chuckled, his smirk gone. “A lot of the wolves were distracted, probably because they sent them all after you. She managed to send a few of her men and capture Marcus’ mate p>
In ten seconds, all the mirth and joy in the room vanished. Alpha Kane met my gaze, remembering his promise. I’m sure he had his own ways of extracting information, but she deserved a chance to prove her innocence.
“Where did you put her?” Alpha Kane winced, tensing up again.
“In the next room.” Alpha Zeke shrugged, but then rolled his eyes at Alpha Kane. “In your dungeon, of course p>
I shuddered at the thought of Alpha Kane attacking Alpha Zeke, but he met my narrowed gaze instead.
“She won’t be tortured.” Alpha Kane raised an eyebrow at me. “She’ll be interrogated, and if she’s truly innocent, she’ll tell me everything she knows p>
I shuddered at the thought of being locked in the dungeons, remembering how Marcus had once shown me around. The smell of blood and death hung in the air like sour perfume, mingling with the scent of wet earth.
The moment I set foot in the dungeons, I swore I’d never return. I could fight the enemy, but I wasn’t sure I dared to torture her.
“I’ll be down soon to talk to her,” Alpha Kane nodded to Alpha Zeke, who had emerged from the bedroom.
“As much as I’d love to hear what she has to say, I’d rather not go down there.” I shuddered, wrinkling my nose at the memory of the putrid smell.
Marcus’s family rarely used the dungeon, yet the smell of blood and urine permeated it. “Unfortunately, I need you to go.” Alpha Kane chuckled softly, gesturing for me to follow him out of the bedroom.
“Why do you want me there?” I groaned, knowing the scent would soak into my hair and clothes.
“I need you to talk to him.” Alpha Kane’s voice hardened, irritation radiating from him in waves. “He’s incredibly stubborn and refuses to share information. His only request is to talk to you p>
I would have spent an hour in that stinking dungeon to avoid talking to Marcus’ friend, but I knew Alpha Kane wouldn’t ask unless it was important. His hatred for him was stronger than mine, and he would have been happy to see him die at his own hands, but the safety of his pack mattered more than revenge.