Chapter 42 Chapter 42
Tiana
Kaius’s eyes slowly moved between us, like he was trying to solve a puzzle with missing pieces.
The corridor suddenly felt too small, and the air grew too thick to breathe properly.
“What was it you wanted to tell me?”
My mouth opened. Then closed. No sound came out.
Zane stood there, hands still in his pockets, expression perfectly neutral. Waiting. Like he had all the time in the world to watch me squirm.
“I…” My voice cracked. “It’s nothing. Nothing important.”
“Are you sure? It does not sound like nothing,” Kaius said, his brow furrowing slightly. “Tiana, is there a problem?”
He turned to Zane. “Uncle, is there something I should know?”
Zane lifted his chin slightly at me, and even as he had uttered no additional words, I could tell he meant ‘look at her, ask her.’
Heat flooded my face. Embarrassment, anger, betrayal all tangled together until I couldn’t tell which was which.
Zane had put me on the spot. And now Kaius was looking at me with those kind, concerned eyes, waiting for an explanation I had no intention of giving.
“I have to go,” I blurted out.
Then I turned and walked.
Fast. Not quite running, but close enough that my footsteps echoed too loudly against the stone floors.
“Tiana, wait—” Kaius called after me.
I did not stop.
I heard Zane say something to him despite not catching the words. I was already rounding the corner, my heart hammering so hard in my chest.
The passageway stretched ahead, blessedly empty. I just needed to reach my chambers. Lock the door. Hide until I could figure out how to…
A hand caught my arm, firm enough to stop me mid-stride.
I barely had time to gasp before Zane pulled me back, spinning me around and guiding me until my spine hit the wall.
He stepped into my space immediately. Close enough that I could feel the heat radiating off him and I had to tilt my head back to meet his eyes.
“Why did you walk out?” His voice was quiet. Dangerously so. “Why didn’t you tell him what you were supposed to tell him?”
My hands curled into fists at my sides. “Alpha, why would you put me in that position?” I was trying my best to be as respectful as I could because if by any reason I had the smallest authority over this man, I would be punching him in the face already.
“What’s your gain, Alpha?” I added.
His jaw flexed. A muscle ticked near his temple.
For a moment, he said nothing. Just stared at me with those dark, unreadable eyes.
Then: “I did it because it’s obvious you didn’t want to convince him.”
Instantly, my face creased in confusion. Such adorable reasoning for an ALPHA.
“So you thought embarrassing me in front of him would help?”
“I want to know why.” He leaned in slightly, his voice dropping. “Why you’re hesitating.”
“I already told you. I don’t have the right to do this.”
“You told me nothing.” His eyes searched mine. “You’re avoiding this. And I need to understand why.”
I looked away, focusing on the tapestry hanging on the wall behind him. Anything to avoid that penetrating stare.
“I shouldn’t be doing it,” I said quietly. “It’s not my place to interfere in Kaius’s life like that.”
“He’s family, Tiana.” Zane’s tone sharpened. “Why are you overthinking it?”
“Because it feels wrong…”
“His mother asked you to help him settle down. Taking care of him,” he stressed. “Luna Margot proposed the same alliance to you.” He paused. “I’m not the first person to ask you this. So why aren’t you doing it?”
My throat tightened.
Because I don’t want him to leave.
The thought whispered through my mind, unwelcome and terrifying.
Because Kaius is the only person in this entire pack who looks at me like I’m worth something. And the idea of him going far away, of marrying some stranger and building a life that doesn’t include our quirky conversations and his easy smiles…
It worried me.
More than it should.
More than I had any right to let it.
“Tiana.”
Zane’s voice pulled me back. When I looked up, his expression had shifted into one more intense.
“Is it because he would be getting married?”
“What? No. I…” I forced a chuckle. “Why won’t I want him to get married?”
“Then what is it?”
“I…” I closed my eyes, trying to hasten the process of thinking of an excuse. “I would not want him to get into a loveless marriage like ours.” I finally voiced out.
I noticed a bob in Zane’s throat, “I never said we were going to force him into a marriage. The ultimate choice on who he ends up with is on him.”
“Oh…” I shook my head.
“I believe you have nothing to worry about then. So would you talk about it now?”
I should concur but the words wouldn’t come out of my mouth.
And I saw the exact moment Zane registered my silence.
He leaned closer with narrowed eyes, and his breath brushed against my cheek when he spoke.
“Cat got your tongue?”
“Alpha, I don’t—” I stammered. “It’s not—”
“Not what?” He tilted his head slightly, studying me. “Tiana… is there something about Kaius you’re not saying?”
My heart slammed against my ribs.
“Something you’re fighting hard to admit?”
“No,” I let out instantly. But even I could hear how unconvincing it sounded.
His eyes bored into mine, searching for cracks in my defense.
And I stood there, pinned between him and the wall, unable to move or speak or even breathe properly.
Because the worst part was, I didn’t know the answer.
I didn’t know what I felt for Kaius. Friendship? Gratitude? Something more dangerous than I’d been refusing to name?
All I knew was that the thought of losing him made my chest ache in a way that had nothing to do with the mate bond thrumming between Zane and me.
Zane’s jaw clenched. His hand came up to brace against the wall beside my head.
“Answer me,” he said quietly. “Is there some feeling developing in your head for my nephew?”