“Xavier.” Zayn’s voice was cold as ice.
Lily’s mind began to spiral. The mention of her brother brought back memories she’d rather forget, but it reminded her of details that proved useful, too.
“He’s too far gone to be of any use,” Ezra reminded Zayn, recalling their last visit to the dungeon.
Lily waved her hands to get Zayn’s attention. When she was successful, she began signing rapidly.
“Slow down,” Zayn reminded her gently, trying his best to understand her.
‘He had a contact from the underground market. Someone called Hunter? I don’t think that’s his real name, but it’s the name he went by.’
Zayn’s eyes widened slightly. “Hunter? Are you sure?”
Lily nodded emphatically.
“What does he look like? Try remembering,” Zayn urged.
She bit her lip, trying her best to recall as many details as she could. She began to sign again while shaking her head.
‘He always kept his face hidden. I’ve only ever heard his voice by accident.’
Zayn turned to Ezra. “Find out everything you can about this Hunter. Ask around, but be discreet. We can’t afford to let anyone know what we’re planning.”
“On it,” Ezra replied, already mentally compiling a list of sources.
Lily touched Zayn’s arm to get his attention.
“What is it?” He asked, wondering if she had more information that would be useful.
Lily urged him to follow her. She walked him over to the spot she had noticed earlier. She pointed at the ground where the broken oil lamp lay scattered.
Zayn clenched his jaw. The acrid smell of smoke still lingered in the air, burning his lungs. He clenched his fists, knowing what the broken lamp implied.
“When I find out who did this...” The threat he made hung in the air.
Lily shared his anger. The pack was supposed to be filled with wolves they could trust. However, there was a traitor in their midst attempting to sabotage their chances of survival.
Martha could feel the tension in the air. She cleared her throat, quickly getting the attention of the Alpha and Luna.
“If I may, Alpha, you and Luna Lily are covered in soot. It’s been quite a morning, and there is still much that needs to be done. Perhaps you both would like to clean up first? Beta Ezra and the others have things taken care of here.”
Lily looked down at herself. Her clothes were blackened with ash, and she could feel grime coating her skin. Zayn didn’t look much better, his bare chest streaked with sweat and soot.
“You’re right,” Zayn conceded. “Please inform Ezra that he’s in charge until I get back.”
“Of course, Alpha, I will let him know.”
Zayn and Lily walked back to the packhouse in silence. Zayn hovered close to Lily, not more than a few inches apart. Their hands were so close they almost touched.
Eventually, they reached the hallway where their rooms were. Neither one of them said anything as they entered their rooms. Lily gathered a fresh set of clothes before heading into the bathroom.
Just as she opened the door and looked up, Lily was stunned to see Zayn staring back at her from the opposite end. She’d assumed it led to a closet. She had never been more wrong.
The realization hit both of them immediately. They’d been sharing a bathroom this entire time without knowing it, always using different entrances.
“I didn’t realize...” he began, then fell silent. fre ewe bnove l.com
An awkward moment stretched between them. Lily stood frozen.
Zayn cleared his throat. “This explains why hot water was sometimes unavailable.”
The absurdity of the situation broke through the tension. Lily’s lips curved into a smile, and she noticed Zayn’s expression softening in response.
“You should go first,” he said, stepping back. “I can wait.”
Lily hesitated, then signed, ‘The bathroom is large enough for both of us.’
Zayn’s eyebrows rose slightly. “Are you suggesting...?”
Lily felt heat rise to her cheeks, but she maintained eye contact. ‘It would save us time.’
For several seconds, Zayn said nothing, and Lily feared she’d overstepped. Then, hesitantly, he spoke.
“If you’re comfortable with that, it would be... practical.” His voice sounded strained, as if he were choosing his words carefully.
Lily nodded, trying to appear more confident than she felt. She’d been naked in front of him before, but never . Never by choice, never as equals.
“If you don’t want to, I’ll just...”
Lily shook her head. She signed. ‘I’m fine with it. It is more practical.’
The bathroom was spacious, with a large clawfoot tub and a separate standing shower. Marble countertops gleamed in the morning light filtering through frosted windows.
Lily turned her back to give Zayn privacy, focusing on removing her own soiled clothes. She heard the rustle of fabric behind her as he did the same. Her heart hammered in her chest, but she forced herself to remain calm.
This was just practical, nothing more.
She walked to the shower stall, intent on rinsing off the worst of the grime before soaking in the tub. The cool water against her skin was a welcome relief after the heat of the fire. She closed her eyes, letting it wash over her face and body.
Zayn went straight for the tub. He found himself unable to keep his eyes off Lily despite trying his best to do so. The marks on her skin, her slim figure, it was all burned into his mind.
He didn’t notice there was a mirror at the side until he caught her reflection looking straight at him. She’d noticed him staring. The moment their eyes met, both of them looked away in embarrassment.
“Sorry,” He muttered quickly, “I didn’t mean to stare.”
Lily felt a strange flutter in her stomach. She just shook her head as she turned off the shower and crossed the room. She could feel Zayn’s eyes following her movement despite his obvious attempt not to look.
Gathering her courage, she approached the tub. Zayn shifted to one end, making space for her. The water was hot. She welcomed the heat as she slid into the water.
For several minutes, they sat in silence. The occasional drip of water from the faucet echoed in the silence. Steam rose between them, partially obscuring their view of each other.
Through the steam, Lily found herself stealing glances at Zayn. Scars crisscrossed his torso, telling stories of battles fought and survived. Tortures he had suffered. His powerful arms rested on the edges of the tub, muscles clearly defined even when relaxed.
Zayn noticed her staring.
“Some scars don’t go away,” He said quietly.
‘We both know what pain is like,’ she signed, the water dripping from her hands as she did.
Zayn’s eyes traveled over her body, lingering on the various scars that mapped her own history of suffering. The realization hit him hard; he played a role in her suffering.
The marks he caused when he wrapped the silver chain around her neck stared back at him.
“Some things can never be undone. Can never be forgotten,” he lamented.
The weight of their shared history hung between them, keeping them apart. Lily bit her lip. She knew exactly what Zayn meant.
She should hate him for what he’d done to her, for all the suffering he had caused. But Lily couldn’t find it in herself to hate him. All the tender moments they shared. They mattered to her. She felt a deep connection with Zayn, one she could not deny.
Suffocating under the growing pressure of the silence between them, Lily was desperate to break it. She glanced around the bathroom, hoping for something that would help. That was when she noticed the bottles on the nearby shelf.
‘Would you like me to wash your hair?’
Zayn looked startled by the offer, his eyes widening slightly. For a moment, she thought he might refuse.