Chapter 110: Chapter 110 -Missing Mating Gown
Zack's POV
"Are you freaking serious right now?" I snapped, my frustration boiling over. "That’s my sister you’re talking about—the future queen. Lex’s fated mate!"
Lupa paced restlessly in my mind, just as agitated as I was. "And now you want to put your life in danger as well?"
Adira looked at me with infuriating calm. How could she be so composed? Didn’t she understand what was at stake? Couldn’t she see what this could do to all of us?
"Zack, I know it’s hard, but you need to trust me on this," she said, taking my hands in hers. Small sparks leapt across my skin at her touch, calming me for just a moment. "This is Lilly’s plan—"
"What!?" My voice echoed, a mix of fury and dread churning in my gut.
"Calm down, Zack, please!" Adira pleaded, sighing as if she could will away my panic. "This is the only way she can—"
"No! There must be another way!" I shot back, every muscle tensed.
She shook her head, lips pressed tight. "Lives are at stake here. If we don’t comply, someone could get hurt—or worse, die!"
For a moment, I just stared at her. Was she serious? What was she hiding from me? Who might get hurt?
"Then tell me what she’s planning!" I demanded, my voice rising with desperation. "I need to stop—"
"I can't tell you. I know you’d try to stop her, and I can’t allow that. Just give her some time," Adira said gently, rubbing my arm in a way that only made my nerves feel more raw. "This is the only way we can stop—"
Suddenly, her gaze unfocused, her eyes clouding over. Hendrix appeared in the doorway, urgency written all over his face as if Adira had silently called him. He didn’t hesitate; he grabbed Adira’s hand and closed his eyes.
"What’s happening?" Lupa asked, his worry matching mine.
I stood frozen, locked between fear and confusion—I’d never seen anything like this before. My heart thudded in my chest, a dull roar in my ears.
Moments later, Adira’s eyes returned to normal, a strange light flickering in them. Hendrix opened his eyes and stepped back, breathless, his eyes wide with excitement.
"Did you see that?" he gasped.
Adira nodded, her voice trembling with awe. "We found it," she whispered. "Lilly found it. We can finally save our coven."
"Found what?" I demanded, lost and desperate for answers.
"Leave now," Adira instructed, her tone suddenly distant and absolute, making Lupa whimper in my mind and anger twist in my gut. "Go tell Father and Mother to gather the coven; they need to come help," she said. Hendrix nodded and vanished down the hall at a run.
"I thought he didn’t have any magic," Lupa grumbled, irritation barely masking his anxiety.
"Maybe it’s a twin thing," I muttered, "or maybe we’re all losing our minds."
Adira turned back to me, her blue eyes shining with a mixture of wonder and excitement.
"Adira," I pressed, struggling to focus her. "Tell me what’s happening. Lex is half-crazed in the temple, knowing his mate is missing. He won’t stay calm much longer."
"Trust me," Adira insisted, her intensity unwavering. "Just make sure everyone stays at the ceremony. Everything will be over soon, and Lilly will have her happily ever after with Prince Lex."
Before I could protest, she stood on tiptoe, kissed my cheek, and hurried away—gone before I could stop her.
I ran after her, but the hallway was empty. She’d vanished again—like smoke. A cold chill crept over me as I realized just how little control I had over any of this.
"Bloody witch," I muttered under my breath. "One day, I’m going to tie her down. This disappearing act is driving me nuts!"
Suddenly, Ria rushed past, frantically opening doors and peering inside each room.
Despite the panic etched on her face, she looked stunning in her bridesmaid dress—a soft, flowing shade of light blue that contrasted beautifully with her dark hair and luminous skin. The delicate fabric hugged her figure gracefully, and even as she hurried, there was a certain elegance to her movements.
"She looks more than just worried," Lupa noted, his voice tight. "I wonder what’s wrong?"
"Yeah," I agreed, hurrying to catch up. Something was making her anxious.
"Lost something?" I called as I approached.
Ria jumped at the sound of my voice, then stopped and slowly turned around.
"Why are you so jumpy?" I asked, my own nerves fraying by the second. I’d never seen Ria this anxious.
She swallowed hard, struggling to catch her breath. "Lilly’s gown is missing," she finally blurted.
"The mating ceremony gown?" I asked, dread prickling up my spine.
She nodded, eyes wide.
That dress was custom-made, imported, crafted from the finest lace, and designed by Lex himself. If it was gone, this would send Lex over the edge. My palms felt clammy; I wiped them on my pants, trying to steady myself.
"Are you sure?" I pressed.
"I am. It was in Lilly’s room, but now it’s gone!"
"Did she maybe take it with her?" I suggested, clutching at straws.
"No," Ria said, shaking her head. "I saw it before I left to report Lilly missing. Zack, what am I going to do? Lex is going to be furious with me."
"It can’t have just vanished," I said, trying to sound reassuring, though my heart was racing. "Where have you looked?"
"I’ve looked everywhere," Ria replied, panic rising. "I don’t know what to do, Zack."
"Beta," an omega servant called from the end of the hallway. "The service is about to begin."
"Without the bride?" I asked, barely containing my disbelief.
"No, Beta," he replied, taken aback. "The bride is waiting…"
"Is she dressed?" Ria asked, her voice trembling with hope and fear.
"Yes, last I checked, she was fully dressed in an all-white lace gown," the servant replied.
"Where is she?" I snapped, making the servant flinch.
"In the bridal room," he said, backing away.
A cold chill slid down my spine—this couldn’t be a coincidence. My instincts screamed danger.
I met Ria’s gaze, and I saw the same fear mirrored in her eyes.
Without a word, we bolted back to the temple, hearts pounding in our chests. We arrived just in time to see the bride begin her walk down the long aisle.
"Goddess," I muttered, sending up a desperate prayer. "Please let that be Lilly…"