Chapter 34 Chapter 34
The next day crawled by like time itself was mocking her.
Zarlia had been locked inside Stetson’s room for an entire day. The door hadn’t opened once—not when she screamed at it, not when she kicked it, not even when she cried herself into an exhausted sleep on the edge of the bed.
The only sounds she heard all day were footsteps outside the hallway, faint murmurs, and the quiet clicks of locks being tested from the outside.
Her only company were the sunbeams sneaking in through the large windows, her own thoughts, and the ache in her chest every time she remembered the fire in Stetson’s eyes the night before. The way he asked her:
Who touched you?
It echoed and echoed until she wanted to rip it out of her mind.
She wanted to call Caroline. Her best friend would know exactly what to do, exactly what to say, exactly how to pull her out of this emotional tornado. But when she reached for her purse last night, the pocket was empty. Stetson had taken her phone.
He dragged her into the house. Locked her in. And vanished.
Not a word. Not a knock. Not even the sound of him breathing outside the door.
Nothing.
She wrapped her arms around her knees as she sat by the edge of the bed. It was humiliating to admit, but a part of her kept listening—hoping—to hear his voice.
Hours passed.
The only time the door opened was when Mimi appeared, pushing in a small trolley with a tray of breakfast, then lunch later. A newly hired maid helped her quietly, eyes down, clearly afraid of the tension in the room.
The maid looked older than her, the wrinkles on her face was evidence. She stood meekly in her neatly pressed black dress and white apron, looking like she was afraid of being fired for any small slip up. Zarlia wasn’t really sure why he hired a maid but then again,she wasn’t the one doing chores and Stetson was always busy so it made sense.
“Eat something,” Mimi said gently, sliding the plates closer.
But Zarlia didn’t touch them. Not the pancakes. Not the juice. Not even the fruit. She wasn’t hungry. Or maybe she was—she just couldn’t feel it past the pressure squeezing her chest.
Mimi sat on the bed with her, sighing heavily. “You know he’s not doing this to be cruel.”
“Oh, really?” Zarlia muttered, staring at the wall. “Then what is it, Mimi? Hospitality? Romance?”
Mimi shot her a look. “Don’t be stubborn. My brother’s… weird. He’s terrible at expressing how he feels. He does things wrong. But he feels things strongly.”
Zarlia rolled her eyes. “Does he?”
“Yes.” Mimi leaned forward. “Zee, he loves you. He really does.”
Zarlia scoffed and looked away. “Mimi, I’m not stupid. I know what he sees me as.”
“And what is that?” Mimi demanded quietly.
“His Luna,” Zarlia said bitterly. “Something that belongs to him. Something that should obey him. He expects me to do what he says, act the way he says, dress how he decides. He thinks everything in his world should bend around his mood.”
She shook her head, exhausted.
“It’s not love. It’s control.”
Mimi sighed, rubbing her face. “You don’t understand.”
“Then explain.”
“I will,” Mimi said, eyes softening. “I’ll tell you everything—about our family, our clan, the way our instincts work, why he acted the way he did, why he’s so terrified of losing you—”
“No,” Zarlia cut in sharply. “Not from you.”
She wanted Stetson himself to let her in, tell her what he’s hiding. It’s not fair he’s keeping her in the dark—she wanted him to trust her. Trust her not to run away.
Mimi looked confused. “Why not? I’m trying to help—”
“I know you are,” Zarlia said gently. “But if I’m going to understand him, if there’s anything to understand at all… I want to hear it from Stetson. Not through you. Not as some second-handexplanation.” Her voice weakened a little.
“I want it from him.”
Mimi placed a hand on her shoulder, then stood, visibly giving up on convincing her. It was hard to predict if her brother would ever learn to accept change but she had faith in Zarlia—at least she thinks she does.
“Fine,” she said quietly. “But please don’t let this spiral. My brother… he’s really not okay. I’ve never seen him this restless. Not even when—”
She stopped herself, biting her lip. Zarlia looked at her sharply. “When what?”, but Mimi shook her head. “Nothing. Forget I said anything.”
Zarlia didn’t push it. She had no energy to push anything anymore.
Mimi sighed and walked toward the closet. “It’s almost time to get ready,” she murmured.
“For what?” Zarlia asked flatly. “The gala,” Mimi replied softly. “The one with Mr. Edwin. Stetson needs to go. And he needs a date.”
Zarlia’s heart twisted. She hated that the thought even bothered her. She had forgotten Luke had mentioned it in a briefing, she had thought of it but now it seemed to irritate her.
Mimi opened a large garment bag and pulled out a breath-takinggreen gown. It shimmered subtly under the afternoon light—a rich emerald high-neck mermaid dress with lace sleeves and crystals hand-sewn into delicate patterns.
It was beautiful. Exquisite. Flawless. Of course, he picked it.
Zarlia frowned. “I’m not going.”
“You have to,” Mimi begged. “Zarlia, please. Just go with him. This meeting is important. And if you show up it might calm him down—”
“No.”
“Please.”
“No.”
“Z—”
“No,” Zarlia repeated firmly. “I’m not wearing that. I’m not going anywhere with him. He thinks he can control everything around me, but not this.”
She stood abruptly. He thinks he can control her, tell her what do? Even Romero couldn’t boss her around—but he was no good either—so why does she have to put up with Stetson? She was going to show him that she wasn’t as obedient like he thought.
And that’s when the idea hit her. Slowly, a sly smile tugged at her lips.
Mimi noticed instantly. “Oh no. No, no, no—Zarlia, what are you thinking?”
“That he wants a Luna who obeys him,” Zarlia said calmly, walking into the closet. “Let’s show him what happens when he tries to force one.” Mimi blinked. “You are not what I was expecting from my brother’s mate”
Zarlia ran her fingers across the racks of gowns before pulling out a sleek, dangerous-looking silk black gown. Backless. Thin straps. A plunging neckline. Completely unlike anything Stetson would ever choose. One that’ll make him snap, it’ll be an entertaining sight since he rarely let his emotion show.
Mimi gasped, trying to hide her grin. “Zarlia, he will flip if he sees you in that dress.”
Zarlia smiled wickedly. “That’s the idea.” She bit her lips, walking with her newly found inspiration, one that’ll be Stetson’s nightmare. Mimi covered her face. “Oh my God. Oh my God. Zarlia, he’ll lose it. He’ll actually—”
“Good,” Zarlia said simply. “He doesn’t get to lock me up and dictate what I wear.”
Mimi shook her head. “But—”
“No buts. If he wants me at the gala?” Zarlia lifted the silky gown and held it against herself, admiring the contrast. “He’s getting this version of me. The one he doesn’t get to control.”
Mimi looked at the dress, then at Zarlia, then groaned loudly. “I swear you two are going to drive me insane.”
Zarlia shrugged. “Welcome to my world.”
Mimi dragged the dress to the vanity table, muttering under her breath. “Fine. But if he kills me after this, I’m haunting you.”
Zarlia sat down in the vanity chair, her eyes fierce. “Do my makeup.”
“Light or—” Mimi was already bringing out make up items from the drawer. “Dark,” Zarlia said, staring at her reflection. “Make it dark.”
Mimi stared at her. “You’re serious.” She’d always thought her brother’s mate to be obedient, tolerant and naïve which was her impression of Zarlia when she first saw her in that sundress.
“Dead serious.”
Mimi sighed, then nodded slowly. “All right… but don’t blame me when he breaks down the door.”
Zarlia didn’t respond. She simply lifted her chin as Mimi began her work.
Dark eyeshadow. Smoky and layered. Dramatic eyeliner. Deep lipstick. Sharp contour. A look meant to provoke. To challenge. To show she wasn’t the helpless girl he dragged upstairs last night.
Halfway through, Mimi paused. “Are you doing this to revenge-stab his heart, or because you think it’ll hurt him?” Zarlia stared at her reflection.
Her darkened eyes. Her lifted brows. Her reborn fire.
“Both,” she said honestly.
When Mimi finished, Zarlia barely recognized herself. She stood, slid into the black gown, and fastened the thin straps over her shoulders. The fabric clung to her curves like liquid shadow, gliding over her skin in a way that made her feel dangerous. Confident. In control. The opposite of how she felt the night before.
She is going to show Stetson she won’t be his obedient little kitten but a tigress.
She walked to the full-length mirror. Her breath caught for a moment—not because of the dress, not even because of the makeup—but because she saw something in her eyes she hadn’t in days: Power.
Mimi let out a low whistle. “Oh, he’s dead.”
Zarlia smirked. “Good.” She placed her hands on her hips and inhaled deeply.
Let Stetson try to control this. Let him try to touch her without explaining himself. Let him try to dominate her without giving her his truth.
He wanted a Luna?
He wanted a mate?
Then he was going to face her—not the version he imagined.The real one.
Stetson West would break and Zarlia was ready for it.
“Let’s go,” she said, turning to Mimi.
Mimi chuckled. “God help him.” Zarlia smiled coldly. “He’s going to need it.”