Chapter 156
Zara
“I know how I feel about you,” Alpha murmured, his hand brushing roughly across my cheek. “From the moment I met you, I was drawn to you. My parents told me countless times what marriage was, and yet… this is something different p>
“Different.” The word burned my skin, like a blade against soft flesh.
“I understood more when I learned you were half-human,” Alpha murmured, drawing my attention with a gentle stroke of his arm. Human can choose their mates, but werewolves cannot. You’re a mixture of both. While I’m drawn to you, how do we know you can’t just choose a mate whenever you want p>
Something inside me pricked as I realized the reason for Alpha’s reticence. He hadn’t given me this part of himself out of fear that I wouldn’t choose him, as if anyone else had the chance.
“Do you think I’ll be able to choose my mate?” I asked.
The thought had never occurred to me before, but it sent a shiver of panic down my spine. That was good, right? And yet, I didn’t feel any relief.
If I could choose my mate, that meant Alpha had a mate in this world, and it wasn’t me. I’d knowingly bonded with another Alpha, whose mate was probably someone other than me. I’d promised I’d never go through that again, and yet I couldn’t resist Alpha.
“What if you’re wrong?” I asked, keeping my gaze fixed on him, silently praying to the Moon Goddess. “What if… what if you’re my mate p>
“If you are my mate, I will consider myself the luckiest Alpha in the world and will remove this human mark from your skin without hesitation.” Alpha purred, pulling me close again. His thick fingers slid down my back, and I couldn’t help but let out a shaky sigh.
Even though I was eagerly awaiting my birthday, the knot that had been clutching my heart was finally beginning to unravel.
I lay awake until Kane’s breathing became heavy, slowing as he drifted off to sleep. His arms wrapped around me, the warmth of his body warming my bones, and I closed my eyes and thought of Marcus.
It was harder than I expected, reaching the part of me that craved Marcus. Hour after hour, I stared at the inside of my eyelids until a tugging sensation formed in my stomach.
Instead of fighting the nagging feeling, I allowed myself to be carried away. The world around me darkened until everything changed completely. This room was different from the one I’d met him in before.
The walls were bare, rough, as if the room itself were hewn from stone. In the center of the room stood a soft bed, large enough to comfortably accommodate four people. A Persian rug lay on the tiled floor, its surface glittering with golden swirls and patterns.
At the other end of the room stood a gilded fireplace, its gilded edges reflecting the light from the cheerfully blazing fire. In front of the fireplace stood a long, dark burgundy sofa. My gaze wandering over every detail of the room, I almost missed the figure sitting on the sofa.
I walked around the sofa and looked at Marcus. His blond hair shimmered golden, reflecting the light from the blazing fire. He clasped his hands tightly, anger blazing in his gaze as he stared into the hungry flames. I watched silently as he noticed me, and the anger gave way to amused interest.
“Well, hello there, beautiful,” he purred, leaning back on the sofa, his gaze lazily sweeping over me.
I ignored the tingling of the scarlet mark and stared intently at him. I could still see the remnants of anger burning in his eyes, though he tried to hide it behind a sly smirk.
“Rough night?” I asked, my eyes searching the depths of his own. He skillfully hid his irritation, and a mock insult appeared on his face.
“I see,” he chuckled, but continued to stare at my bare legs. “Although that can be changed dramatically p>
“Don’t count on it.” I snorted. “Does it hurt? Knowing that one of your own betrayed you for love of a she-wolf p>
“Does it hurt?” He asked thoughtfully, raising an eyebrow. “Not painful. A terrible inconvenience? Yes. In any case, Govinda will be dealt with in time p>
“As you say,” I shrugged, trying to maintain a mask of indifference. “Govinda’s loyalty will come in handy. I can’t wait to hear what he knows p>
“My dear, do you think you’re the only one with spies?” The corners of his lips twitched, and a playful gleam flickered in his eyes.
“Really?” I chuckled, shaking my head in disbelief. “I highly doubt your spies will get past Kane’s Alpha for long p>
“You think too highly of your Alpha,” he chuckled, his oceanic eyes burning into mine. “Although I’ll let you figure it out for yourself p>
“Kate, one of those spies?” I wondered, watching the blazing emotions in his eyes.
Whether he had anticipated my question or not, his gaze betrayed nothing. A smile touched his lips, sending a wave of irritation through me.
“Kate?” He smirked.
“You know who I’m talking about.” I rolled my eyes, and his grin widened. “What is she, a spy p>
“And why would I give you anything, beautiful?” He asked. “You haven’t given me anything in return p>
“What do you want?” I asked, raising an eyebrow in anticipation of his answer.
“You.” He shrugged, giving me a predatory grin.
“Yeah, that’s not happening.” I shook my head.
A headache throbbed in my temples, and I couldn’t understand how this was possible. His gaze slid over my body, but he made no move to approach. His gaze darted from mine to the far wall, lingering for a few moments on the clock. When his gaze met mine, a joyful smile appeared on his face.
“I suppose it wouldn’t hurt to tell you now.” He shrugged. “By the time you wake up, it’ll be too late p>
“Tell me what?” I asked, wondering if he could hear how his words had pierced my heart.