Chapter 36 Another Leash
ZADE
"What do you mean?" Indie asked, her voice trembling slightly.
"Enid is his leash. She's Varak's anchor in this world. Tied to him by blood magic or some dark shit she cooked up. Killing her snaps the chain. It frees him to come at us directly. No more hiding in dreams or whispers. He'd be loose and stronger because of it."
Indie lifted her head from my chest, her eyes wide. "How do you know that?"
I met her gaze, letting her see the truth in mine.
"Because Varak told me. In his way. He's been in my head too, Bunny. He wants her gone so he can step out of the shadows. Killing Enid would mean that we're playing his game and handing him the win on a silver platter."
Leon's brow furrowed, his playful demeanour gone now, replaced by something more alert.
"So we can't touch her. But the venom... it's feeding off our mate's power, right?"
I nodded.
Leon sat up straighter, ignoring the obvious pain in his chest. His golden eyes locked on Indie, softening in a way that made my wolf snarl internally. "Then let me help."
I felt Indie shift in my lap. "Zade—"
I nearly smiled. My bunny was seeking my permission even in a situation like this. I didn't know whether to be offended or pleased. It either meant that she respected me that much or she was afraid. I had a feeling it was the latter, and I didn't feel good about it one bit.
Leon extended his arm slowly, the bandages pulling tight. "Drink from me, sweetheart. Let it burn that venom out before it reaches your heart."
Indie's breath hitched. I felt her pulse jump under my hand on her neck. Her eyes darted to me, questioning, hopeful too.
Inside, I was already calculating. Giselle had pulled me aside the second Leon woke up and whispered the details of his blood tests, the hybrid anomaly. She told me it was rare and powerful. The only reason I hadn't ripped his throat out the moment he called Indie "mate" was because his blood could be the key to saving her.
I'd changed my mind about killing him right then, letting him live long enough to prove useful. But he didn't need to know that.
"No," I said flatly.
Leon's head snapped up, his golden eyes narrowing.
"What the hell do you mean, no? She's dying, you idiot. My blood can—"
"I said no." I kept my voice calm, but I let a hint of command slip into it, just enough to make his jaw clench.
I understood who he was already. He was defiant and chaotic, the type who pushed back harder when told to sit down. "We don't know what your blood would do to her. Hybrid shit could make it worse. Twist her power. Or tie her to you in ways we can't break."
Indie's hand tightened on my shirt, her voice small.
"Zade..."
Leon's face darkened, his playful mask shattering completely. "You're willing to let her die because you're jealous? Because you don't want to 'share'? Fuck that. She's my mate too. I won't watch her die."
He moved before I could stop him, his fangs flashing as he bit into his own wrist. Blood welled instantly, dark and rich, the scent hitting the air like iron and something sweeter, almost floral.
He rose from the bed, ignoring the IV tug, and crossed the room in two strides.
Indie tensed in my lap, but she didn't pull away.
Leon stopped inches from us, his wrist extended towards her mouth. "Drink, sweetheart. Please. Let me save you."
She hesitated, her eyes darting to me again. I kept my face blank, but inside, I was smirking. Defiant little bastard. Just as I'd predicted.
"It's okay," I murmured, my thumb stroking her neck. "If you want to."
She let out a shaky breath. Then she leaned forward slowly, her lips parting.
Leon's blood dripped once before she closed her mouth over the bite.
Her throat worked as she swallowed, her eyes fluttering shut. A soft moan slipped from her lips. It was unintentional, but it hit me like a punch to the gut.
The sound was sensual, almost erotic, her body arching slightly in my lap as the blood hit her system.
Leon's free hand hovered near her hair, not quite touching, but his golden eyes darkened with something raw and possessive.
He bit his lip, a low groan escaping him as she drank deeper, her tongue lapping at the wound.
The air thickened with their scents mingling with mine wrapping around them both.
She pulled back after a long moment, her lips stained red, her cheeks flushed. A shiver ran through her, her thighs clenching in my lap. The mark on her arm... the black cracks were already fading.
Leon's wrist healed fast, but his eyes stayed locked on her mouth. "Feel better, sweetheart?"
She nodded, breathless. "Yes... thank you."
I pulled her back against my chest, my hand sliding possessively over her thigh. Leon watched me for a few seconds. Then he met my gaze, a knowing smirk tugging at his lips. "You sneaky bastard. You played me."
I smiled faintly. "Your hybrid blood is the only reason you're still breathing."
He doesn't know the half of it. Annoying twat.
Indie looked between us, confusion flashing in her eyes. "What?"
Leon winked at her. "Nothing, sweetheart. Just realizing how fun Zade is."
I scooped Indie up before she could protest, cradling her against my chest the way I'd carried her out of that cursed temple. Her head lolled against my shoulder, heavy with exhaustion, her breath warm and uneven against my throat. The venom's black veins had retreated back towards her wrist after Leon's blood, but she still felt fragile.
She stirred only enough to mumble against my collarbone. "Leon... is he staying?"
I kept walking. Down the hallway. Past the omegas who dropped their eyes and pressed against the walls like prey sensing a storm. Past Mason, who gave me one sharp nod and fell into step behind us at a respectful distance.
I sighed.
"Whatever you want, Bunny," I said softly, my lips brushing her hair. "If you want him here, he stays."
She made a sleepy, contented little hum and nuzzled deeper into my neck.
I meant it.
I'd let him stay.
I'd let him breathe the same air as her.
I'd let him smile at her with those golden eyes and call her sweetheart and act like he belonged.
And then I'd expose every lie, every hidden fang, every drop of manipulation he thought he could hide behind that pretty-boy grin.
I'd peel him apart in front of her until she saw exactly what I saw. Another leash.
But not tonight.
Tonight she needed rest.
I shouldered open the bedroom door and carried her straight to the bed. I laid her down gently, tugging the covers up to her chin. She caught my wrist before I could pull away.
"Stay," she mumbled, already half-gone.
I leaned over her and pressed a slow kiss to her forehead. "I'm not going anywhere."
Her fingers loosened. Eventually, her breathing deepened into the soft, even rhythm of real sleep.
I stayed there for another minute, watching the rise and fall of her chest, memorizing the way her lashes fanned against her cheeks, and counting the faint freckles across her nose that only truly showed up in sunlight.
Then I straightened. And froze.
Lila stood in the doorway.
She was barefoot, wearing one of my old black T-shirts that hit her mid-thigh like a dress. Her curls were a wild halo around her head. She clutched a stuffed wolf to her chest. The one I'd given her the first night she slept here and stared up at me with those huge, serious eyes that were so much like Indie's it hurt.
We looked at each other for a long moment, silence hanging thick in the air.
Then she whispered, her voice so small that I almost missed it.
"Are you gonna be my new daddy?"
My throat tightened.
I crouched slowly so we were eye-level. Then I reached out and brushed a stray curl off her forehead.
"If you want me to be," I said, my voice hoarse.
Her little face lit up like sunrise.
She lunged forward and wrapped both arms around my neck, squeezing with surprising strength for such a small body. Then she planted a loud, wet kiss right in the centre of my forehead.
I went completely still.
Something hot and unfamiliar bloomed behind in my chest. Like a muscle I'd never used before suddenly flexing for the first time.
She pulled back just enough to beam at me.
"Tomorrow," she said, "you have to come to my tea party. With Mommy and me. And Mr. Wolf." She held up the stuffed animal. "He likes cookies."
I swallowed the lump in my throat.
"Wouldn't miss it, princess."
She giggled, and then her expression turned shy again.
"Can I sleep with Mommy tonight... Daddy?"
The word hit me like a fist to the sternum.
Daddy.
I stared at her.
She stared back, hopeful and a little scared, like she was waiting for me to say no.
I opened the door wider without a word.
Lila darted past me, her bare feet pattering across the floor. She scrambled up onto the bed, wriggled under the covers, and curled herself against Indie's side. Indie stirred, her arm automatically curling around her daughter even in sleep. Lila tucked her head under Indie's chin, sighed and closed her eyes.
I stood in the doorway a moment longer.
Watching them. The two people I'd do anything to keep safe. Then I stepped inside, closed the door softly behind me, and leaned back against it.
I slid down the door until I was sitting on the floor, my knees drawn up, my arms resting on them.
I watched Indie and Lila sleep.
And for once I didn't plan a murder, or a manipulation, or a contingency.
I just watched.
“Alpha?” I didn’t turn when I heard Mason’s voice right outside the door.
“What is it?” I asked, leaning back and resting my head on the door.
“It’s Leon. I found something. He’s no ordinary vampire. Alpha, he’s royalty.”