CHAPTER 27: FOLLOWING ALPHA ZANE

CHAPTER 27: FOLLOWING ALPHA ZANE
LEONA
"Any progress?" the guard repeated.
I turned away from them, my pulse quickening, but I forced myself to stay calm. Of course, they'd show up now. So, the eyes I'd felt earlier weren't imagined. Alpha Kane—always watching, always pulling the strings.
For weeks, I'd heard nothing from him or his men. For a fleeting moment, I had let myself relax, believing they were letting me handle things my way. I should've known better. They would never leave me alone.
I took a deep breath, steeling myself before I spoke. "I'm getting close to Alpha Zane," I said evenly. "He still finds me somewhat suspicious, but I'm working on it. Gradually, he's starting to trust me."
"Alpha Kane is losing patience. You've been gone for over a month, and you still haven't made enough progress." the voice was calmer, probably the second guard.
A month. Had it really been that long?
"Alpha Kane sent a message. Fiona is doing well in the prison… for now. But if you continue to waste time, that might not last much longer."
My heart stopped. The words struck me like a blow, my chest tightening with fear. "What?" I whispered, my voice trembling.
"You heard us," the first guard said bluntly.
Panic clawed at my throat, my mind racing. I clenched my fists, trying to steady myself, but my voice came out as a frantic plea. "I'm doing my best! It's not my fault Zane is difficult! Do you think I can just snap my fingers and make him trust me? This is all part of the process!"
My voice grew louder, tinged with desperation. "Nothing should happen to Fiona! You can't—"
I stopped mid-sentence when I realized neither guard had responded.
The silence stretched longer than I expected, and frustration bubbled in my chest. Why weren't they saying anything?
I turned to face them, ready to demand an answer. "Why won't you—"
The words died in my throat.
Alpha Zane stood a few paces away, his eyes locked on me. His expression was unreadable, but his presence was a storm—cold and unnerving, yet brimming with quiet danger.
The guards were gone.
My stomach twisted as my mind scrambled to process what was happening. Had he seen them? Heard them?
I swallowed hard, my throat dry. My hands felt clammy as I gripped the crutches beside me, fighting the urge to crumble under his gaze.
"What… what are you doing?" I managed, my voice barely above a whisper.
His gaze didn't waver, his piercing eyes making me feel as though he could see straight through me. "I could ask you the same thing," he said coolly, his tone even, yet laced with something that sent chills down my spine.
My heart hammered in my chest. Did he hear anything? Did he suspect something? My mind raced, trying to piece together a plausible explanation, but the tension was suffocating.
I forced a small, shaky laugh, hoping to deflect. "I didn't think you'd be back so soon, Alpha. I was just… talking to myself. It helps me think."
Zane raised an eyebrow, his lips twitching as if he found my excuse amusing—or perhaps pathetic. "Talking to yourself?"
"Yes," I said quickly, nodding. "The quiet here… it has a way of bringing back memories."
He took a step closer, and I stiffened. His presence was overwhelming, his sharp gaze never leaving mine. "Memories," he repeated softly, as though testing the word.
I nodded again, my mouth dry. "Yes, Alpha."
He hummed in response, his gaze flickering over me one last time before he turned toward the path leading out of the garden. "We're leaving. To the palace. Come."
I straightened, gripping my crutches tightly. "Yes, Alpha," I replied, trying to keep my voice steady.
He didn't wait for me, his long strides carrying him ahead. I hurried after him, my mind racing. What had he seen? What had he heard? Every step toward the carriage felt heavier, dread curling in the pit of my stomach.
By the time we reached the carriage, I felt like I could hardly breathe. I climbed inside, settling opposite him. His face was unreadable, his sharp features illuminated faintly by the moonlight. He said nothing as we began the ride back to the palace, his silence louder than words.
I sat stiffly, trying to avoid looking at him for too long. My thoughts churned relentlessly, questions plaguing me. Why had he been gone so long in the garden? Did he see the guards? Does he know?
The journey back felt endless, but at last, we arrived at the palace gates.
Zane stepped out first, pausing to glance back at me. "It's late," he said curtly. "Go inside and rest. I'll follow shortly."
"Yes, Alpha," I replied, bowing my head. My voice was calm, but inside, I was anything but.
As I walked up the steps, my mind spun. Where had he gone in the garden? And why wasn't he coming in to rest now? It was nearly morning—what could possibly keep him out this late?
The questions buzzed louder in my mind with every step. By the time I reached the palace doors, I'd made my decision.
I paused just inside the threshold, making it seem as though I'd gone in. Glancing back through the crack in the door, I saw him still standing near the carriage, his back turned to me.
Then, after a moment, he moved. He turned toward the east side of the palace grounds, heading purposefully in that direction.
I watched closely, holding my breath. When I was certain he didn't suspect anything, I slipped out quietly and followed him into the shadows.
Where are you going, Alpha? And what secrets are you hiding?
The east side of the palace was quiet. I kept my eyes on Zane, who moved, unaware of my presence. My mind was spinning with questions.
He stopped near an old stone structure, hidden by overgrown vines. I paused, watching him. Zane crouched beside the stone wall, disappearing into the shadows.