Chapter 39 39
Scarlett’s POV
The air between Rhylie and me filled with heat, like a fire waiting to burn everything in its way. Her hand was held in the air, fingers twitching as if she were about to slap me into the ground. My heart raced, but I didn’t flinch. I wasn’t about to give her the satisfaction of seeing me back down.
But then, her wrist was caught mid-swing and I froze, my breath catching in my throat. Who would dare intervene?
My eyes trailed up the arm that held Rhylie back, landing on a man standing behind her. His grip was firm but relaxed, and there was a teasing smile playing on his lips. He looked at Rhylie as if they had known each other for long.
“Still feisty, are we Rhylie,” the man said, his voice deep and filled with amusement.
Rhylie’s eyes widened in shock, her mouth hanging open as she recognized the man.
“Kent! When did you get back?” she stammered, her anger immediately replaced by surprise.
“Ten minutes ago,” Kent replied, finally releasing her wrist. His eyes stared at me, his lips curling into a grin. “And who is this beauty?” he asked, his gaze lingering a little too long for my comfort.
Before Rhylie could respond, another voice cut through the tension. A voice I had come to recognize too well.
“My mate,” Zane said as he approached us, his steps measured and deliberate. His presence was like a force of nature, commanding the attention of everyone around him. Even Kent straightened, the teasing edge to his demeanor dropping as Zane neared.
Kent looked between Zane and me, confusion clear in his expression. “Wait... Your mate?” His brow furrowed as if he was trying to piece together a puzzle. “Zane, I thought—”
“We’ll talk later in my study,” Zane interrupted, his voice curt but not unkind.
He turned to face Rhylie, and his eyes darkened. There was no warmth in his gaze, no trace of the softness I had seen on rare occasions. Instead, his expression was hard, a silent reprimand hanging in the air.
Zane’s POV
I could feel the anger rushing through me the moment Rhylie raised her hand to hit Scarlett, the fact that she was my first mate didn’t move me. The moment I stepped in and saw what was
about to happen, I’d already made my decision.
Rhylie had crossed a line.
“You know better than that,” I said coldly, cutting off her excuses before she could even start. My voice was low and controlled, but there was no mistaking the anger that was rushing through
me. “You had no right to raise your hand against her.”
Rhylie’s lips trembled, and for a moment, I thought she might break down, those tears ready to spill at a moment’s notice. It was something that would have moved me but not today and not now because the anger I was trying to control could cost Rhylie her life. I didn't understand why I felt this angry.
She forced a smile, her voice dipping into that sweet tone she always used, but today, that voice sounded so sickly to my ears. “Zane... you know I didn’t mean—”
“Not now, Rhylie.” My voice was firm, cutting through her attempts to defend herself. I had no patience for her games today. “Let this be the last time you raise your hand to hit my mate.”
I could see the horror of disbelief in her eyes, the way her mind struggled to process what I had just said. The weight of my words hung between us. I should be sorry, but n,o, I didn't feel sorry. Her lips parted, a tremble running through her body.
“What... Do you mean, Zane?” Her voice broke, trying to hold on to my shoulder. “ I am also your mate. I’ve been with you through thick and thin. I’ve stood by your side when no one else would I—”
I shunned her immediately. This again. The same old speech. She always turned back to the past, as if that alone was enough to justify her actions. But the truth was, I didn’t care. Not anymore.
My wolf, Dalton, stirred restlessly in the back of my mind.
“She’s lying,” he growled, his voice vibrating through me. “You know I never liked her so the next time she tries to lay a finger on our Scarlett, I’ll tear her apart myself”
I clenched my jaw, holding Dalton back. As much as I agreed with him, I couldn’t let things get out of hand. Not yet.
Rhylie’s voice sounded, her tears starting to pool in her eyes. “You’re pushing me aside for her? After everything we’ve been through?”
I fixed my gaze on her, my patience trying to be in control but all I could feel was anger. “You were warned,” I said with authority. “I won’t say it again.”
Scarlett POV
I stared at Zane, I couldn't believe he was defending before Rhylie. I kept staring at him.
Did he care about me? I asked myself, I was still in my thoughts until Zane’s hand held mine, sending a shock through my body. I stared at his hand in disbelief, my mind spinning. What was happening?
Before I could process it, Zane turned and began walking, pulling me with him.
“What are you doing?” I managed to stammer, my feet moving on instinct to keep up with his long strides.
Zane didn’t answer immediately. His grip was firm but not painful, his focus set ahead of us as he led me through the corridors of the packhouse. It wasn’t until we were far enough away from Rhylie and Kent that he finally spoke.
“Getting you away from her,” he said, his tone cold, as if that explained everything.
I blinked, still trying to make sense of everything. “I don’t need you to protect me,” I shot back, pulling my hand free from his grasp. “I can handle myself just fine.”
Zane stopped walking and turned to face me, his expression unreadable. We stopped just outside Zane’s study, the silence filled the air. I wasn’t sure if I was angrier at him for dragging me along or at myself for following without question.
“I don’t understand you,” I said finally, breaking the silence. “Why did you drag me here? Care to explain because I don't understand,”
Zane didn’t look at me, his hand already on the door to his study. “There’s nothing to understand,” he replied. “I do what’s necessary for the pack. And for you,”
I shook my head, frustrated. “I can handle myself .”
“This isn’t about whether you can handle yourself,” he said, his voice low and controlled. “This is about keeping you safe”
I crossed my arms, glaring up at him. “Isn't that what I had just said?”
His eyes darkened, but at the same time softened. “It might just be about our deal to you… the curse, your revenge but you are still my mate, and yes is also my mate I’ll talk to her, so shouldn't be your concern”
I scoffed. “She was about to slap me. That seems like my concern.”
Zane took a step closer, and suddenly I was very aware of how much larger he was than me. His presence carried the aura of authority, but I refused to back down.
“I know,” he said quietly, his eyes boring into mine. “And that’s exactly why I stepped in.”
The way he said it, with that calm authority, sent a shiver down my spine.
For a moment, neither of us spoke, just kept staring at Each other, no one ready to look away. I could feel the mate bond pulsing between us, tugging at me in ways I didn’t understand. I hated how my body reacted to him, how the bond made me want to lean into his touch, even though my mind screamed against it.
I shook my head, breaking eye contact. “Whatever this is,” I muttered, gesturing between us, “it doesn’t change anything. I came here for one reason … no, I'm glad your witches saved me, but my only reason for being here has nothing to do with you except my revenge and your curse”
Zane’s eyes flashed with something unreadable, but he didn’t argue. Instead, he nodded once, as if accepting my words.
“You have your reasons, and I have mine. But you’re here now, and whether you like it or not, you’re part of this pack. And as long as you’re here, you’ll have my protection.”
Before I could respond, he turned and began walking again, this time without taking my hand. I followed him, my mind spinning with everything that had just happened. Zane’s words echoed in my head, but they didn’t settle. They only left me with more questions than answers.
Rhylie’s POV
The moment Zane and Scarlett were out of sight, the moment Zane took her hand, the moment he raised his voice at me. I knew it was time for me to do something.
Zane was slipping out of my hand and the bond spell was fading. How dare he humiliate me like that, how dare she even be here, stealing his attention?
I turned to face Kent, but the smug grin on his face only made my anger flare hotter.
“What are you smiling at?” I snapped, my voice sharper than I intended.
Kent shrugged, leaning casually against the wall, his arms crossed over his chest. “Just enjoying the show. And I am very much confused. Who is she ?”
I glared at him, my eyes throwing daggers. “This isn’t a joke, Kent.”
“Didn’t say it was, I just asked a question why” he replied, his smile never faltering. “ But watching you lose your cool is always entertaining.”
I clenched my fists at my sides, fighting the urge to lash out. “You have no idea what’s at stake here.”
“Oh, I think I do,” Kent said, his tone becoming more serious. “ But if you’re losing your grip on Zane, that’s something you’ll have to deal with on your own.”
He gave me one last look, amusement obvious in his eyes, before turning and walking away, leaving me standing alone in the corridor, fuming.