The walk back from the burial site was quiet. Lily’s eyes were still puffy from crying, but she felt lighter. Giving her mother a proper farewell had lifted a weight she didn’t know she’d been carrying.
After the funeral pyre was reduced to ashes, Lily collected what remained and placed it carefully in the cloth bundle. She still wasn’t sure what the next step was.
Zayn walked beside her, his tall frame casting a long shadow in the late afternoon sun. Martha and Ragnar followed behind them, keeping a respectful distance.
No one spoke. The crumpling of leaves under their feet and occasional bird calls were the only sounds breaking the silence.
As they neared the edge of the forest, Ragnar suddenly tensed.
“Someone’s waiting for us,” he murmured, moving closer to Lily protectively.
Lily squinted and saw a female figure standing at the tree line, arms crossed and posture rigid. Victoria. Even from this distance, Lily could feel the heat of the woman’s glare.
Zayn noticed too. His jaw tightened as he subtly shifted his position, placing himself between Lily and Victoria.
“Keep walking,” he told them quietly.
Victoria’s face twisted into a sneer as they approached. Her gaze bounced from Lily to Zayn, lingering on how close they were standing.
“Alpha,” she called out, her voice dripping with false sweetness. “I’ve been looking everywhere for you.”
Zayn nodded curtly. “Victoria.”
Victoria’s eyes narrowed when she saw Lily. “I need to speak with you. Privately.” fre(e)webnove.l.c.om
Lily felt her stomach twist. She didn’t need to guess what Victoria wanted with Zayn. The hunger in the woman’s eyes when she looked at him was unmistakable.
“Whatever you need to say can be said here,” Zayn replied firmly.
Victoria’s smile tightened. She stepped closer to Zayn, deliberately brushing against him as she leaned in.
“I’ve missed your... company,” she purred, running a finger along his arm. “It’s been days since you’ve visited me. I was hoping we could... reconnect tonight.”
Lily looked down at her feet, heat rushing to her face. She knew Victoria was Zayn’s mistress, but seeing her claim him so boldly made her chest ache. She wanted to fight back, but she knew she couldn’t win against Victoria. What right did she have?
Ragnar cleared his throat loudly. “Luna Lily, shall I escort you back to the packhouse? You must be tired after our excursion.”
Grateful for the interruption, Lily nodded quickly. Martha took her arm supportively. She curled her arms around her mother’s ashes a little tighter as they walked forward.
“I’ll join you shortly,” Zayn said to Lily, his expression unreadable.
Lily hesitated, then turned to leave. But curiosity got the better of her. After taking a few steps with Martha and Ragnar, she glanced back.
Zayn pulled Victoria aside, his face stern. Victoria was pressed against him, her hand on his chest. Lily quickly looked away, a cold feeling settling in her stomach.
“Don’t worry about that one,” Martha whispered. “Something tells me our Alpha won’t fall for her schemes so easily.”
Lily nodded numbly, but couldn’t help stealing one more look. Zayn was now holding Victoria at arm’s length, his expression unclear from that distance.
Zayn glanced over his shoulder just as they entered the forest. He was a little late to see Lily looking over. He bit his lip in disappointment, hoping that she would.
As soon as Zayn and Victoria were hidden by the trees, he grabbed her wrists. “Remove your hands. Have you forgotten your place?”
Victoria’s eyes flashed. “My place? For years, my place has been in your bed, Zayn. Or have you forgotten that?”
Zayn paused, “I’ve not forgotten. But you will show respect, especially in front of my Luna.”
Victoria scoffed, folding her arms. “Your Luna? That mute bitch who you’ve dressed up in fancy clothes? You can’t be serious, Zayn.”
Zayn’s grip tightened. “Careful, Victoria. I’ve appointed Lily as Luna. Your disrespect toward her is disrespect toward me.”
“And what about disrespect toward your dead mate?” Victoria spat. “Have you forgotten what her family did to Irene? To your unborn child?”
Zayn’s face hardened. “Don’t speak of them.”
“Someone needs to remind you who the real enemy is! That girl—”
“That girl,” Zayn interrupted, “had nothing to do with what happened to my family. I have said it before, and I will say it again. Irene’s death is not Lily’s fault! And I’ve named her Luna. You will treat her accordingly or else.”
“Or else? Or else what?”
Zayn took a step forward, his cold expression sent a shiver down Victoria’s spine. She staggered back.
“There will be consequences,” he warned, voice low and dangerous.
Victoria paled. “Consequences? What are you saying?”
He released her wrist and took a step back. “I’m giving you a choice, Victoria. Learn to respect Lily’s position and come to me only when I call for you, or I’ll send you away.”
“Send me away?” Victoria’s voice cracked. “After everything we’ve been through?”
“I promised your father to care for you before he passed. He also asked me to find you a suitable mate,” Zayn continued, unmoved, “Perhaps it’s time I fulfilled that promise.”
“You are who I want, Zayn. I won’t accept anyone but you!” Her eyes widened with hurt and betrayal, “After everything we’ve been through, every sacrifice I’ve made for you... You’re abandoning me for her?”
“You’ve left me no choice, Victoria. Don’t force my hand further.” His voice softened slightly.
Without waiting for her response, Zayn turned and walked away, following the path Lily had taken toward the packhouse.
Victoria stood frozen, watching him disappear from view. When he was gone, a primal scream tore from her throat. She slammed her fist into the nearest tree trunk, bark splintering under the impact. Blood dripped from her bruised knuckles, but she barely felt the pain.
“Lily Brightpaw. You conniving little bitch, this is all your fault!,” She seethed, “I should have killed you! I should have killed you a thousand times over!”
“You think you’ve won?” she whispered, voice quivering as she smirked to herself. “This isn’t over. Not by a long shot.”