CHAPTER 29: TRUST?

CHAPTER 29: TRUST?
LEONA
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I let the hot water run over my skin, trying to shake off the strange mix of emotions swirling inside me. Alpha Zane's presence last night haunted my thoughts, his piercing eyes, the way he'd seen right through me. But why had he brought me back? And why had he carried me?
Mrs. Marlowe's words replayed in my head: Not since her.
Who was "her"?
Did she mean Gina?
I shook the thought away almost immediately. It couldn't be Gina. Alpha Zane was the reason for her death—it wasn't possible.
Still, the idea wormed its way into my mind, refusing to let go. I sighed heavily and turned to the basin, scrubbing at my arms as though the questions were something I could wash away.
Wrapping a towel around myself, I grabbed my crutches and hobbled back into my room. My mind was still lost in thought, so I wasn't prepared for what greeted me.
It was Alpha Zane.
He was seated on my bed, leaning back slightly, his long legs stretched out casually. His grey eyes locked onto me the moment I entered, and I froze in place, clutching the crutches tightly.
"Do you make a habit of freezing every time you see me?" he asked, his tone neutral, though I could detect the faintest trace of amusement.
I swallowed hard, feeling the heat rise to my cheeks. "W-what are you doing here?" I managed to stammer, my voice barely above a whisper.
He raised an eyebrow, clearly unimpressed by my reaction. "Checking on you," he said simply. "After last night, I thought it was necessary."
My embarrassment deepened. "You didn't have to," I muttered, shifting awkwardly under his intense gaze.
"Maybe not," he said, standing up in one fluid motion. He moved closer, and I instinctively took a step back, clutching the crutches like a lifeline. He stopped just a few steps away, towering over me.
"You should get dressed," he said calmly. "Come to my chambers when you're ready. We need to talk."
"Talk?" I asked, my voice barely a whisper. My heart raced at his words, panic bubbling in. Did he know I'd been following him? Was this some sort of punishment?
He didn't answer. Instead, he turned and walked to the door, pausing just before he stepped out. "Don't keep me waiting, Leona."
And with that, he was gone.
I stood there, my heart pounding. What did he want to talk about? Did he know what I'd done?
I forced myself to move, my legs shaky as I made my way to the wardrobe. My mind raced with possibilities, each one more terrifying than the last. I chose a simple dress, something comfortable yet presentable, and took a moment to steady myself before heading out.

—

Alpha Zane's chambers were intimidating, to say the least. The heavy wooden doors loomed in front of me, and I hesitated for a moment before knocking softly.
"Come in," his deep voice called from the other side.
I pushed the door open, stepping inside cautiously. Alpha Zane stood by the window, his back to me, his posture relaxed.
"You came," he said without turning around.
"You told me to," I replied, my voice quieter than I intended.
He finally turned to face me, his expression unreadable. For a long moment, he said nothing, just watching me. The silence stretched, heavy and suffocating.
"I need to ask you something," he said finally, his voice calm but firm. "And I want the truth."
My stomach twisted. This was it. He knew.
"What were you doing last night?"
I froze, my breath catching in my throat. My mind raced, trying to come up with an answer that wouldn't get me into even more trouble.
"I… I was just out for some air," I said, my voice shaky. "I didn't mean to—"
"To follow me?" he interrupted, his tone sharp.
"I wasn't following you," I lied quickly, but even I didn't believe the words.
He stepped closer, and I instinctively stepped back, my back hitting the door. "Don't lie to me, Leona," he said, his voice low and dangerous. "I don't take kindly to liars."
"I'm not lying," I said, my voice barely a whisper.
He stared at me for what felt like an eternity, his eyes searching mine. And then, to my surprise, he sighed and stepped back.
"Do you know what happens to people who betray my trust?" he asked, his tone calmer now.
I shook my head, unable to speak.
"They don't get second chances," he said simply.
I swallowed hard, my heart pounding in my chest. "I wasn't trying to betray you," I said quietly. "I just… I was curious. I didn't mean any harm."
He studied me for a moment, his expression softening slightly. "Curiosity can be dangerous," he said. "Especially around me."
I nodded, not trusting myself to speak.
For a moment, the tension in the room seemed to ease. He turned back to the window, his gaze distant. "You're not like the others," he said, almost to himself. "You… surprise me."
I wasn't sure how to respond to that, so I stayed silent.
"Do you know why I brought you here?" he asked, turning back to face me.
"To talk?" I said hesitantly.
He smirked, but there was no malice in it. "Yes, but not about what you think."
Before I could ask what he meant, he took a step closer, his eyes locked onto mine. There was something different in his gaze now, something softer, almost vulnerable.
"I don't trust easily," he said quietly. "But for some reason, I feel like I can trust you."
His words left me speechless. I didn't know what to say, or what to think.
"Don't prove me wrong," he added, his voice barely above a whisper.
I nodded, my heart pounding in my chest. For the first time, I felt like I'd seen a glimpse of the real Zane—the man behind the Alpha. And it left me more confused than ever.