Chapter 76 Chapter 76. Lysander’s Offer, Zephyr’s Rage
His stare made Zoria uncomfortable. She shifted her gaze aside and noticed that those nearby were still watching them. Wanting to end it quickly, she nodded.
"OK."
Lysander grinned, revealing two sharp fangs, a clear mark of an Alpha.
At this hour, the streets were crowded. Lysander walked beside her with long strides, his presence striking enough that many turned to look as they passed. He led Zoria into an upscale restaurant.
The layout and atmosphere were clearly designed for couples. There were only a few large tables, while most were small tables for two by the windows.
Zoria sat across from Lysander, watching him skillfully order several dishes before pushing the menu toward her and asking if there was anything else she wanted.
"Whatever," Zoria replied. She pulled out her phone and glanced at the missed calls from Zephyr, hesitating over whether she should call back.
While they waited for the food, Lysander rested his chin on one hand and watched her with a narrowed, smiling gaze.
Zoria felt uneasy. After a moment of hesitation, she asked, "Why are you staring at me? Do you have something you want to say?"
Lysander put on a mysterious air and chuckled softly. "I think I liked you the moment I saw you."
Zoria clenched her phone tightly, her fingers stiff as she struggled to process what she had just heard. Across from her, Lysander folded his arms, one thumb propping up his chin, his eyes fixed on her with open interest.
The restaurant was quiet, filled with the steady, mellow sound of a cello. Lysander’s low, magnetic voice rose at just the right moment, carrying a rare seriousness that sounded smoother than any instrument.
"Zoria, it was love at first sight for me."
Zoria snapped back to herself, then lowered her head and laughed silently at the absurdity of it. In a pitch-dark movie theater like that, could he even see her face clearly enough to talk about love at first sight?
Lysander didn’t give up. He continued, "Maybe you think I’m being too sudden, but I really do like you…"
"Sorry, but I can’t give you what you want." Zoria cut him off before he could finish, rejecting him outright.
Lysander sighed helplessly. "I knew it. You think I’m being too forward, don’t you?"
"No," Zoria replied coolly. "It’s because I’m already bonded."
When she said that, she thought Lysander would back off, but to her surprise, his expression remained calm.
"I know."
"You know?" Zoria asked, startled.
"The first time I saw you was outside the courthouse," Lysander said slowly. "That day, you and Zephyr were there to terminate your bond. I noticed you back then. I just didn’t have the chance to approach you. I never expected to run into you at a movie theater today. Looks like we really are fated."
Could coincidences like this really exist?
Lysander met her eyes directly, not avoiding her gaze at all. "Zoria, I know you really want to sever your bond with Zephyr. If you’re willing to consider being in a relationship with me, I can definitely help you."
Something about his words felt suspicious. Zoria frowned, just about to speak, when her phone suddenly vibrated. She glanced at the screen. As expected, it was Zephyr calling.
Zoria answered the phone. "Hello…"
"Zoria, what did I tell you last night?" Zephyr’s furious voice came through the line. The restaurant was already quiet, and with Lysander sitting so close, he could hear every word clearly.
"I was watching a movie. My phone was on silent, so I didn’t notice."
"You went alone?"
"Yeah."
"Where are you right now?"
"My phone has location tracking, doesn’t it? Can’t you check it yourself?"
"Zoria, I only allowed you to go out for one day, and you’re already acting this arrogant?" Even through the phone, Zoria could clearly feel the Alpha’s anger.
"I…"
"Zoria, do you want a drink?"
Zoria was still thinking about how to answer when Lysander suddenly cut in, sending a chill straight down her spine.
"Zoria!" Zephyr ground out her name through clenched teeth. "Stay right where you are."
The call ended abruptly. Zoria stared blankly at the darkened screen, easily imagining just how furious Zephyr was at that moment.
"Was that Zephyr calling you?" Lysander asked with a smile, his tone laced with something suggestive.
Zoria was certain Lysander had spoken on purpose so Zephyr would hear him.
Lysander ordered a bottle of red wine and poured her a glass. "Zoria, you deserve an Alpha who’s gentle, who protects you, or at the very least, respects you…"
Then he added, "Someone like me, for example. I’m more handsome than Zephyr, calmer than him. I’d give you a sense of safety and freedom. And there’s one more thing—I’m more vigorous than he is."
No one understood Zephyr’s true nature better than Zoria did, so she didn’t need Lysander to spell it out. The only thing she cared about was one question. "Can you really help me cut the bond?"
"Of course." Lysander chuckled softly. "As long as you become my mine."
"How would you do it?"
"I can’t tell you that yet."
Zoria fell silent, staring at her phone, her face slightly pale. From everything he had said, she was certain Lysander hadn’t approached her out of love at first sight—he had clearly had an agenda from the start.
She quietly ate a few bites of steak, which tasted as bland as wax. Leaving Zephyr was a good thing, but she didn’t truly understand the Alpha in front of her and didn’t dare gamble so recklessly.
"Mr. Valerius, I’ll be heading back now."
Lysander paused, frowning slightly. "You’re done eating?"
"I’m full. Thank you for the meal."
Zoria stood up uneasily, Zephyr’s words on the phone still echoing in her head.
Seeing that he couldn’t stop her, Lysander rose as well. "I’ll walk you out. It’s raining." He signaled the waiter to pay the bill without waiting for her response.
They stepped out of the restaurant and stood under the awning to wait for the car.