Chapter 50 50

Chapter 50 50
Zara’s POV

All three of them were staring at me. Elara and Ethan with open and hopeful smiles but Darius had a look that was far more complicated tight and unreadable.

My heart slammed hard against my ribs as I stood frozen near the doorway, every instinct in me was screaming to run.

There was no way I could sit at a table with them not with him and his family especially when he the man who had been watching me like I was something dangerous he shouldn’t want.

“I really should go,” I said quickly, forcing out an awkward laugh as I gestured toward the door behind me. “I’ve already stayed too long”

“Please, Zara.”

Ethan small hand wrapped around my arm before I could take another step and his grip wasn’t strong but it didn’t need to be.

The desperation in his voice alone was enough to stop me. “I really want you to stay,” he added softly, his eyes wide with hope.

“And it would be nice,” Elara chimed in, her tone lighter but just as pleading, “to have another woman at the table.”

There was something fragile in her expression like she truly needed a female companion or friendship.

My gaze lifted, searching for a way out and it landed on Darius because if anyone could end this, it was him and for a second, I thought he would but his jaw tightened and his fingers dragging slowly through his dark hair as his eyes flicked between Elara and Ethan. There was hesitation there and conflict.

Then, just like that, it was gone.

“Set an extra place for Zara,” he ordered coldly to the maid who had just entered and my stomach dropped.

“Yes, Alpha,” she responded instantly, bowing before disappearing toward the kitchen.

I stared at him, disbelief flooding through me.

He didn’t want me here, that much was obvious so why was he forcing this?

Elara clapped her hands softly, her excitement returning instantly. “This is perfect! Come on, Ethan, let’s get everything ready.”

Ethan beamed, already tugging her toward the dining room and just like that, they left leaving me alone with him again.

The silence between us thickened, heavy and charged, so I turned to him sharply and my irritation was finally breaking through the shock.

“What was that?” I demanded, planting my hands on my hips as I glared up at him but he didn’t even look at me at first.

“What was what?” he asked casually, as if he hadn’t just rearranged my entire evening without my consent and I scoffed.

“Don’t do that,” I snapped. “Why would you tell them to set a place for me?”

His cold gaze finally dropped to mine and the shift in his expression made my breath hitch.

“Because,” he said slowly, his voice dropping into something darker, “you’re staying and having dinner with us.”

He said in a low and threatening tone and I was startled by the change of his voice so I instinctively took a small step back.

“I haven’t seen Ethan that happy in a long time,” he continued, his eyes never leaving mine. “And for some reason he likes you.”

My throat tightened. “So you’re going to stay,” he added, his voice lowering even more, “and you’re not going to argue about it.”

The words wrapped around me like a command and I opened my mouth, ready to protest but the image of Ethan bright and hopeful face flashed in my mind so just like that the fight drained out of me and with a stiff nod, I turned away. “Fine.”

I took a step toward the kitchen, determined to just get through this and leave but I didn’t get far because his hand closed around my arm and everything in me stilled.

The touch wasn’t rough but it wasn’t gentle either. It was firm and intentional like he meant to stop me and heat slowly spread from the point of contact instantly, racing up my arm and settling deep in my chest.

Goosebumps followed and my body reacting before my mind could catch up so I slowly turned back to face him but he was standing too close and his scent was dark and quiet intoxicating. It was unmistakably masculine and it wrapped around me, clouding my thoughts.

My breath caught and my pulse quickening as I found myself staring up at him and for a moment he just looked at me and his eyes darkened, flickering down to my lips before returning to my gaze. His own lips parted slightly, like he was about to say something or do something.

The air between us shifted and my breath hitched but then, he stared at me with his full lips parted and his eyes dark with heat.

His eyes dropped to my lips, and I thought he was going to kiss me.

Did I want him to kiss me again?

I bit my lip, already deciding that I did, I wanted to kiss Darius..

The realization sent a shock through me, but it didn’t break the moment not until he blinked and it was like he’d just snapped back into himself.

His grip loosened then disappeared completely as he stepped back, creating space between us.

The sudden loss of warmth made my chest tighten. “It’s just dinner, Zara,” he said, his tone flat again like nothing had just passed between us.

“Don’t start imagining things that aren’t there.”

The words stung more than they should have.

Before I could respond, he turned and walked past me, heading toward the dining room without another glance and I stood there for a second, frozen then slowly raised my fingers to my cheek and it was burning.

My entire face felt like it was on fire, what… was that?

I swallowed hard forcing myself to breathe and to think but It was nothing.

Shaking off the lingering heat, I followed him into the dining room.

Elara and ethy were already seated and their conversation was light and easy. The table was beautifully set, filled with dishes that smelled rich and mouthwatering.

Only two empty seats remained, one at the head of the table and the other was right beside it.

My stomach tightened and Darius seemed to notice it too, his jaw clenched slightly as his eyes flicked toward the seating arrangement but he said nothing and neither did I because at this point it was already too late to turn back between seeing my father in prison and coming straight here to tutor Ethan time kind of slipped away from me.