Ezra led Lily down the long corridor towards a private dining room. He kept glancing back at her, hesitant to speak.
“There’s someone new he wants you to meet,” He finally said.
Lily raised an eyebrow questioningly.
“I don’t know the details,” Ezra admitted. “Zayn was quite secretive about it. But Talia’s involved, so I assume it’s important.”
Lily felt a little more at ease knowing Talia would be there. She glanced back at Martha, who’d been following her too. The older maid gave her a reassuring look.
Ezra knocked twice before entering. The private dining room was intimate, with a single round table at the center. Zayn was already seated, his broad shoulders tense as he drummed his fingers against the polished wood.
When he looked up, his expression softened slightly.
“Come in,” he said, gesturing to the empty chair beside him.
Lily approached cautiously, sliding into the seat next to him. She could feel the heat radiating from his body, their proximity making her heart race despite herself.
“Food will be served shortly,” Zayn informed her. “I thought you might be hungry.”
As if on cue, a young serving girl entered carrying a tray loaded with fresh bread, cheese, and fruit. She placed it before Lily with a small curtsy before quickly retreating.
Lily signed a thank you, but the girl had already disappeared. She looked at Zayn questioningly.
“Eat,” he encouraged. “We have time before our guests arrive.”
Lily had just taken a bite of bread when a knock sounded at the door. Ezra stepped forward to answer it, revealing Talia standing beside a woman Lily had never seen before.
The stranger was young, perhaps in her mid-twenties, with warm brown hair pulled back in a single braid. She scanned the room quickly before settling on Zayn and Lily.
“Alpha Zayn, Luna Lily,” Talia greeted with a respectful nod. “May I present, Alva.”
The young woman stepped forward and bowed slightly. “It’s an honor to meet you both.”
Lily gave her a warm smile and a small nod. When she glanced to her side, she noticed Zayn looked tense. His muscles were well defined, body was rigid. He was clutching his fists.
“You didn’t mention she was human,” He declared, voice dangerously low.
The word hung in the air like a curse.
Lily watched as Talia’s face twisted in horror. Her eyes darted to Alva, then back at Zayn.
“What? Human? That’s not po– I didn’t know, Zayn,” Talia confessed, genuinely stunned.
Alva placed a hand on Talia’s arm before she stepped forward.
“It is not Talia’s fault, Alpha. I apologize for concealing my identity.”
Zayn slammed his hand down on the table, causing everyone to flinch. But the human woman did not seem fazed. Lily watched her expression, impressed. The young woman looked calm and collected despite the Pandora’s box she had just unlocked.
“An apology doesn’t cut it, human,” Zayn growled, “You have a lot of nerve, thinking you can fool us!”
Alva shook her head, hands held up in front of her, “I am not here to fool you, Alpha Zayn. I understand your distrust well. My... my kind have hurt werewolves for generations, but I grew up amongst werewolves. I am not like them.”
Ezra stepped forward to protest, “You humans always think words can save you. Not this time!”
Talia stepped forward, shielding Alva from their wrath.
Lily sat completely still, watching the scene unfold. Humans and werewolves had never seen eye to eye. Generations of war and conflict had soured every attempt at establishing peace.
“I will vouch for Alva,” Talia said bravely.
“What? Are you mad?” Zayn protested.
She shook her head, “I swear it. I vouch for her with my life. She can be trusted. If that’s not enough to convince you, Alva was raised by werewolf parents.”
Alva lifted her sleeve, revealing a tattoo of a crescent moon and a sword on her wrist.
“My werewolf parents raised me. I was abandoned in the woods as a baby. They taught me the skills I have today, made me who I am.”
“Wolves can be evil too,” Zayn said, words weighing heavier than he led on, “If you were me, would you trust you?”
Alva clenched her jaw before shaking her head.
“I wouldn’t either. But let me prove myself to you. Before then, I am willing to submit to any tests or precautions you deem necessary.”
Zayn turned to Talia, who gave him a reassuring nod. He looked over at Lily. She was surprised he wanted her opinion on the matter. She didn’t disappoint. She gave him a reassuring nod.
“Very well,” Zayn sighed as he leaned back in his seat, “Let us continue.”
The tension in the air dissipated. Lily felt like she could breathe again. Everyone took a seat around the table, still nervous.
“I ordered Talia to find someone who can help us to conceive,” Zayn explained to Lily carefully, “That’s Alva’s purpose here.”
Lily was a little surprised. Alva was a lot younger than she had expected. Most she-wolves who assisted others with fertility issues were older, closer to Martha’s age.
She raised her hand, drawing everyone’s attention. She signed carefully, making sure Alva could see her movements.
“Luna Lily wishes to know how you can help us,” Talia translated.
Alva smiled as she addressed Lily directly. “Talia has informed me of the situation. First, I’ll need to conduct thorough physical assessments of both you and the Alpha. The various tests will help me determine the root cause of your difficulties and develop an effective treatment plan.”
Lily nodded, hope fluttering in her chest for the first time in months.
“When can you begin?” Zayn asked, his voice betraying a hint of eagerness beneath his stoic exterior.
“Immediately, if you wish,” Alva replied. She glanced between them before adding, “I’d suggest starting with you, Alpha Zayn.”
“Me?” Zayn’s brow furrowed.
Alva nodded, her expression professional. “In my experience, fertility issues often originate with the male partner rather than the female.”
“Are you suggesting I’m the problem?” Zayn cut in, his voice sharp.
Lily could see the offense written clearly across his face. His jaw clenched tight, a muscle twitching in his cheek.
“Alpha, I didn’t mean to imply—” Alva began, but Talia quickly stepped in.
“Please forgive Alva’s bluntness,” Talia said, placing a hand on the human woman’s shoulder. “She’s known for speaking her mind without considering authority. It’s a trait that makes her an excellent healer, but sometimes... less diplomatic.”
The tension in the room was palpable. Lily watched as Zayn’s hands curled into fists on the table, his knuckles white with restraint.
Before the situation could escalate further, Lily reached out, her fingers gently touching Zayn’s arm. When he turned to look at her, she began signing.
‘I am certainly part of the issue too,’ Lily signed, ‘Both of us will need to be examined.’
Zayn’s expression softened slightly at her touch. He nodded once, some of the anger leaving his eyes.
Alva nodded along, “That’s precisely why I need to examine you both. Only then can I determine the best course of treatment.”