The sharp sting of antiseptic made Lily wince as Talia cleaned the fresh wound across her back. Lucky for Lily, the wound did not cut deep.
“You’re tougher than you look,” Talia remarked, dabbing the wound gently. “Most people would’ve screamed in pain when that whip hit. Yet you stood your ground in front of everyone.”
Lily’s fingers curled into the sheets beneath her. She lay on her stomach, her torn dress cut away to expose her injured back. Despite Talia’s gentle touch, each dab sent fresh waves of pain through her body.
From the corner of the room, Zayn watched in silence. His face remained unreadable, but his eyes never left Lily’s back. His clenched jaw betrayed his calm exterior.
“The wound isn’t too deep,” Talia continued, reaching for fresh bandages. “But with your slower healing, we need to ensure it doesn’t get infected.”
Lily managed a weak nod, her eyelids heavy. The adrenaline from earlier had worn off, leaving her drained and exhausted. The soft mattress beneath her felt like a cloud compared to the hard stone ground she’d slept on for years.
Talia glanced up at Zayn. “You should get back to your duties, Alpha. She’s in good hands. I gave her something for the pain, she won’t be waking up any time soon.”
Zayn shifted his weight but made no move to leave. “Will she be alright?”
“She will,” Talia assured him. “I never thought I’d say this about a Brightpaw, but she’s... different.”
A knock on the door interrupted them. Ezra stood at the doorway, his expression serious.
“Alpha, I apologize for the interruption, but there are some matters we need to discuss urgently.”
“What is it?” Zayn asked. free\we,bnovel.c o(m)
Ezra paused for a moment, “It would be best for us to speak privately.”
Zayn hesitated, his gaze lingering on Lily’s sleeping form.
Talia shooed him away. “Go. She’ll still be here when you get back.”
With a reluctant nod, Zayn followed Ezra out of the room. They walked down the hallway in silence toward Zayn’s study, their footsteps echoing against the wooden floor.
Once inside, Zayn closed the door firmly behind them. “What’s so urgent?”
Ezra pulled a rolled piece of parchment from his pocket. “I received this via carrier pigeon about an hour ago. It’s from Zephyr.”
Zayn’s eyebrows shot up. “Zephyr? Where did he go? Why would he need to send a message?”
Ezra’s lips thinned into a grim line. “He left with the Alpha King’s entourage. In secret.”
“What?” Zayn’s voice was dangerously low. “Without my permission?”
“He thought it would be beneficial to have ears in the capital,” Ezra explained, handing over the note. “Especially after... well, after his involvement with the Queen.”
Zayn unrolled the small parchment, his eyes scanning the hastily scrawled message. “Does he mention anything about his relationship with Regina? Does she know that he has followed them?”
“No, there was no mention,” Ezra replied. “But he provides other valuable information.” freew\ebno\vel..(c)om
Zayn read aloud from the note. “The Alpha King faces two major problems. First, the Nightfang pack has suffered severe droughts in summer, followed by a prolonged winter. Their crop production has plummeted, and they’re requesting emergency rations from the capital.”
He looked up at Ezra. “This could explain why he was so eager to form an alliance with us. We’re one of the top crop producers.”
“Exactly,” Ezra agreed. “And if Nightfang’s situation continues to worsen, it will eventually affect the capital’s food supply as well.”
Zayn nodded as he continued reading. “Secondly, there’s growing unrest in the East. An unknown threat...” He frowned. “That’s all he wrote.”
“Do you think it could be related to the attack on our fields? Those mutated beasts?” Ezra asked.
During the Alpha King’s visit, Zayn had ordered the issue to be kept under wraps. He feared that if the king found out about it, it would put his position as Alpha in jeopardy.
Zayn ran a hand through his hair, pacing the room. “It’s possible. The timing would make sense. But we need more information.”
He walked to the large map pinned on his wall, studying the eastern territories. “Tell Zephyr to find out more about this eastern threat. Any details he can get—who they are, what they want, how many.”
Ezra nodded. “What about Nightfang?”
A slow smile spread across Zayn’s face. “If we help them with their crisis, they’ll be in our debt. An alliance with Nightfang would strengthen our position significantly.”
“I’ll send back a message to Zephyr right away,” Ezra said, but he hesitated near the door.
“There’s one more thing, Zayn. The next full moon is in two weeks.”
Zayn’s body tensed immediately. The air in the room seemed to thicken with sudden tension.
“I have it under control,” he said, his voice tight.
Ezra frowned. “Perhaps we should make more preparations, especially after what happened last–”
“I said I have it under control,” Zayn snapped, hands gripping the frame of the chair in front of him. fr\(e)ew(e)b.(n)o (v)(e)l.com
Ezra’s expression did not change. Zayn sighed, releasing his grip on the chair frame. He spoke more calmly, “With Lily around, I’ll be fine.”
“We’ll discuss this another time, Ezra. You’re dismissed,” Zayn cut him off before turning back to the map.
Ezra bit his tongue. He wanted to protest further, but knew better than to do so. He gave a curt bow before leaving the study.
Walking through the packhouse, Ezra couldn’t shake his concern for Zayn. Each full moon was harder to pass than the last. The beast within him was out of control. Nothing could stop it from rampaging until its bloodlust was satisfied.
“You can’t be serious!” she shouted, her perfectly manicured nails digging into her palms. “I’ve been coming and going from this packhouse for years!”
Ezra overheard a commotion as he arrived at the packhouse entrance. It was Victoria, face contorted with rage. She was arguing with two guards.
The taller guard crossed his arms. “Alpha’s orders, miss. You’re not allowed to enter.”
“This is ridiculous!” Victoria’s voice rose an octave higher. “I am his—”
“His what exactly?” Ezra interrupted as he approached.
Victoria’s eyes flashed dangerously when she saw him. “Ezra. Tell these idiots who I am and that I’m allowed inside.”
Ezra remained unmoved. “Zayn’s orders were clear, Victoria. No entry.”
“This is because of her, isn’t it?” Victoria hissed. “That mute Brightpaw bitch.”
“Watch your tongue,” Ezra warned. “You’re speaking about our Luna.”
Victoria laughed, the sound harsh and bitter. “Luna? Is that what you’re calling her now? She’s nothing but a weak, pathetic replacement. Zayn doesn’t love her. He’s using her.”
“That’s not for you to decide,” Ezra replied coldly. “Zayn has made his choice. For the sake of this pack, for all of us. You would do well to respect it.”
“I will not be replaced by that... that bitch!” Victoria spat, her entire body trembling with rage. “I’ve warmed his bed for years. I know what he likes, I am what he needs. She can’t give him what I can!”
The guards shifted uncomfortably, but Ezra stood his ground. “Leave now, Victoria. Before I’m forced to remove you myself.”