CHAPTER 482: WORRIED ABOUT HER

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Chapter 482

~Snow’s POV~

Alpha Draven paused and focused his gaze on me.

"We sent a letter earlier, but I felt I owed you the courtesy of coming. I need and want you to join our alliance. The werewolf kingdom needs to fight against this threat. They are deadly."

He sighed deeply and after some seconds, nodded. "Let us discuss more in the morning."

"As you wish."

The meal arrived some minutes later. It wasn’t extravagant like one would think

It was simple, clean, and efficient. Just like him.

We both dined while talking about packs and politics.

We ate in silence for a while before he finally looked up and asked, "How is your wife?"

I paused.

"Zara... she’s managing. Picking up the company reins again while I’m here."

"She’s a force," he said with a slight smirk. "Reminds me of her mother."

"You knew her well?"

"We all did," Draven said, eyes distant. "Back when the councils weren’t fractured. Back when her late husband ruled. My father was one of his council members."

"Nice."

I didn’t ask for more. When dinner ended, he stood and walked me back toward the guest wing.

"Rest well, Alpha," he said. "Tomorrow, we will hopefully make better choices."

Without holding him back some more, I nodded. "Good night, Draven."

As I stepped into the guest room and shut the door behind me, I let the calm facade slip.

Zara’s name echoed in my mind. And for some reason... I could feel something off.

A pressure in my chest. A low flicker of fire in my blood.

As if someone else had just thought of her, too. And it hadn’t been kind.

"I need to call her to see if she is okay." I moved toward the bed but didn’t sit. The weight in my chest wouldn’t let me.

I pulled out my phone quickly and dialled Zara’s number. She picked on the second ring.

"Hey, honey," Zara greeted softly.

I exhaled, already feeling steadier hearing her voice. "Hey, love. Are you alright?"

A pause. Then her voice grew curious. "Yes, I’m fine. Why? Your voice sounds low. Is everything alright?"

I leaned a shoulder against the wall, rubbing my brow. "I... just had a feeling that something was off. A pressure, almost. Like fire in my blood."

There was a long pause. Then, "It’s probably the bond acting up. You’re far away, Snow. We haven’t been this apart with such a distance in a while."

"Still," I muttered. "It felt like someone else... someone dangerous... was thinking of you, and I could feel every bit of that thought."

Zara’s breath was soft on the line. "No one’s bothering me. I promise."

A clatter echoed faintly through the phone, voices in the background, then laughter, and the clinking of plates and cutlery.

"What’s that noise?" I asked, trying not to sound like a suspicious husband.

"I’m having dinner with Andrew and Zade," she replied, amusement slipping into her tone. "At home. I cooked. Well... Zade assisted, and Andrew mostly hovered like a worried dad, you know him."

I smiled, and even though she couldn’t see it, she probably felt it. "Alright, then. Enjoy. I won’t keep you. I know you’re in good hands."

But before I could hang up, her voice stopped me. "Snow?"

"Yeah?"

"How’s the journey? Draven’s pack?"

I took a slow breath and looked toward the curtained window. "It’s been... decent. He welcomed me with warmth. Direct and strong-willed, as expected. He spoke of the threat. There’s probably hope with the alliance. But we will know his stand by tomorrow. He also says he’s seen the signs, too."

Zara was quiet for a moment, then murmured, "Good. I’m glad he’s seeing the bigger picture."

"He asked about you," I added. "Said you reminded him of your mother."

"I get that a lot," she said. "And it still makes me feel like I have unfinished business to live up to."

"You’re already doing more than enough," I assured her, meaning every word.

"Thanks, it means a lot coming from you."

"Well, I am saying the truth, and the truth is, I am lucky to be blessed with such a mate."

"Me too."

"Don’t say that."

"I will. Snow, you may have made mistakes, but do not let them define you. You are a good man, even though you are a dollophead sometimes."

I let out a hearty laugh, already envisioning her face while she scolded me. "Sure, sure."

"I love you, Snow."

"I love you most, Zara."

I could tell she was beaming with smiles. I did not know, but I felt it and then... I felt her in a way that seemed like I was watching her, and that sent shivers down my spine.

Zara’s voice broke through the receiver gently. "I’ll let you rest."

"Huh, sure."

"Be safe. And don’t overthink what you’re feeling."

I didn’t answer that. We both knew I would. "Love you," she added before ending the call.

"Love you too," I muttered as I stared at the screen for a few seconds before placing the phone down.

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~Davion’s POV~

The morning light leaked through the sheer curtains like silver silk across the floor, and I groaned low as I reached for my vibrating phone.

Varian.

Of course. Only one person had the gall to call this early without fear of fire—literally.

I thumbed the answer button. "This had better be worth my time."

"Just checking in," Varian said, his voice dry but amused. "Heard you touched down in Starshine. And then you vanished."

"I wasn’t hiding," I said, sitting up and swinging my legs off the bed. "I had a visit to make."

Varia’s tone shifted slightly. "You saw her, then?"

I ran a hand through my silver-streaked hair and stood, pacing toward the window. "Yes. Zara."

"...And?" Varian prodded, his voice now more serious.

"She’s still as fierce as ever," I replied, voice quieter. "Still sharp. Still stubborn." I smirked. "Still beautiful."

"And Snow?"

I turned from the window. "For now, he is not present. Which made the conversation less bloody than expected."

"You came on strong, didn’t you?" Vance sighed. "Davion—"

"I invited her to the Summit," I cut in, keeping my tone cool. "She’ll be there. I made sure of that."

Varian exhaled. "You also stirred the bond, didn’t you? Between her and Snow."

"I am the bond," I said simply, walking to the dresser and picking out a crisp black shirt. "He’ll feel what I feel now. Whether he wants to or not."

"That’s dangerous," Varian said. "And not just politically. You’re playing with the ancient rites. Twisting the pull between mates—"

"I’m not twisting anything," I snapped. "I’m reclaiming it."

"Thanks to your scale, but unless you want to be in a BL relationship, I suggest you let them be, sire, and find yourself a wife."

My brows furrowed immediately. I thought he’d be on my side, you know. Tsk.

There was a long silence on the other end of the line before I exhaled sharply.

"I love Zara."

"Love," Varian called out sharply. "You better be sure," Vance finally said. "Because if she chooses him... this time, you won’t walk away clean."

I didn’t reply because, deep down, I already knew she had chosen him, yet I was hoping. Tsk.

And yet here I was, still trying to tear the stars from her sky and replace them with my fire.

***************

~Zara’s POV~

"Another work-filled day."

Soft morning light filled my office windows on the top floor. From there, I could see the city centre—shiny rooftops, trees along the streets, and the gentle buzz of a city slowly waking up.

I sipped from my coffee slowly, letting the warmth ground me as I flicked through the morning reports on the holotab.

The knock on the door was soft but distinct.

Before I could answer, Aira peeked her head in with her mischievous grin. "Tell me you’re not already buried in reports."

I raised a brow but couldn’t help the smile tugging at my lips. "It’s barely 9 a.m. That’s usually when I’m three tabs deep and contemplating revolution."

She laughed and stepped in fully, her blonde curls bouncing with every step. Dressed in cream slacks and a rose-pink blazer, Aira radiated casual elegance with a side of trouble.

"Well, you’re about to be liberated, Empress," she declared with a dramatic hand flourish. "Because I come bearing exciting news."

I arched a brow. "Unless it’s about the northern stock prices finally stabilising, I doubt it’s exciting."

"It’s better," she said, sliding into the seat across from my desk. "Tempest is arriving this afternoon."

I nodded, knowing Tempest had travelled quickly yesterday afternoon for a business meeting. She had scheduled her flight to return today because Snow would kill her for leaving me all by myself.

"She sent me a quick note an hour ago. Said she wants to spend the day with us before the chaos of the alliance sweeps everyone under."

My heart lifted at the sound of Tempest’s name. "She’s really coming? I thought she would use that as an excuse to relax one more day."

"And leave Koda?" Aira winked. "Nah, I doubt it."

True, Koda was still at my place while Tempest hurried to run her business.

"Okay, fair."

Aira nodded. "And I thought—we need some time. Just us. No politics, no soldiers, no suspicious alpha males prowling around."

I chuckled. "Okay, now you have my attention."

"So I texted her back," Aira continued, grinning. "And guess where she wants to meet us?"

I narrowed my eyes. "You’re stalling."

She leaned forward like a co-conspirator. "A new lingerie boutique opened just outside the Crescent Mall. Classy. Exclusive. Very much not the place where you buy something you’d be embarrassed to wear."