bChapter 157 /b

Nyssa pov

I almost rolled my eyes at his words, knowing he was referring to the night he’d caught me sneaking back into the packhouse and bhad /bhelped me slip into my room before the Emberfang Pack guards could catch me. Now, it felt like déjà vu, he’d done the exact same thing bagain/bb, /bkeeping me from being exposed to the guards.

I wasn’t sure why he had helped me twice. I knew I should be grateful, but as I looked at him, I couldn’t shake the feeling that he seemed different today.

Like apletely different person.

The way he carried himself had changed–he appeared moreid–back, almostzy. I wasn’t certain, but it was nothing like theposed version of him I usually saw. And his clothes…

He stood tall before me in loose, baggy attire, his shirt unbuttoned down to his stomach. If you looked closely, you could catch a glimpse of the rock–hard abs etched along his torso.

But most of all, what felt strangest was his aura. I couldn’t put my finger on it, but it seemed different, thicker.

Not the same energy he usually radiated.

“Hm?” Zayn lifted a brow at me when I didn’t respond, and I could feel Isabe’s confused gaze on us. For a moment, I simply stared at him without saying a word.

“Hmm… why are you staring at me like that-”

He stopped mid–sentence as I suddenly stepped closer, closing the distance between us until we were only inches apart.

Zayn’s eyes widened, a little taken aback and as he blinked, I leaned in, narrowing my eyes as I tried to study his aura, without realizing I was well into his personal space.

“H–hey, what are you doing?” Zayn stammered in surprise, hands raised slightly as if to create some distance, and that’s when I finally spoke.

“You seem… very different today,” I whispered, tilting my head slightly.

Zayn raised a brow at my words, and for a fleeting moment, I thought I saw amusement sh in his eyes before it vanished. He smiled faintly, shaking his head, his warm breath brushing against my lips as he said,

“What are you saying, miss? I don’t understand. How am I different today?”

The corners of my lips pulled into a small frown.

He really did seem different… or was I just imagining it?

“Maybe I’m overthinking it,” I murmured under my breath. Zayn’s smile deepened, and it was only then I realized just how close we were. Clearing my throat, I stepped back.

“I apologize for invading your personal space… and thank you for saving us, Zayn. I’m not sure how to repay you for bthis/bb, /bbbut /bbI /bbam /bbindebtest /bto you,” I said.

He chuckled, raising a hand and giving it a casual wave.

“You bdon’t /bhave to thank me. It’s all good, I couldn’t possibly sell out the bking’s /bbmate/b, bcould /bI bnow/bb?/bb” /b

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10:13 bnu/b, 14 bAug /b

His gaze flicked briefly to Isabe, who shuddered visibly, a blush creeping over her cheeks as she shyly avoided his eyes.

“However,” he continued, azy smile tugging at his lips, “I am curious about what you’re doing out herete at night with a servant nning to flee the Lunaris Dominion?” he asked nonchntly, running a hand through his hair, his eyes glinting bwith /bamusement

I swallowed hard at his question before shaking my head.

“I’m not running away from the Lunaris Dominion Pack,” I replied, keeping my tone neutral, I wasn’t about to tell him I’d been trying bto /bsneak

Serana out.

Still, his grin widened as he leaned in slightly.

“Ah… I heard your female servant was arrested. And now, it seems you’re heading toward the dungeon. Tell me, are you trying to sneak bher /b

out?”

My eye twitched at how easily he guessed, but I quickly cleared my throat, neither confirming nor denying his words. Instead, I lowered bmy /bhead in quiet gratitude.

“Thank you, Zayn. We’ll be parting ways here. I appreciate your help once again,” I said, and before he could respond, I turned to Isabe, pulling her a little aside, away from earshot.

Holding her by the arms, I drew her closer. She looked at me in a confused daze, but knowing time was already short, I leaned in and whispered,

“Isabe, you should go back to the packhouse and act like you know nothing. Just describe where the dungeon is, and I’ll find my way bfrom /b

there.”

I wanted her to leave for two reasons. First, I didn’t want her to get in trouble, and second, it would be easier to move around without drawing attention.

She blinked a few times, as if trying to process my words, then finally spoke, her toneced with concern.

“Are you sure, miss? Will you be able to get there safely?”

Her worry caught me off guard. She usually looked at me with fear, yet here she was, concerned for me. I couldn’t help but smile faintly and shake my head. It turned out Isabe wasn’t a bad person after all, she was actually quite a nice girl.

“You remember the question you asked me earlier? Why I don’t treat Serena as just a servant, and why I’m willing to save her even if I’ll be punishedter?” I asked. When she nodded, I continued,

“That’s because Serena isn’t just a servant to me, she’s my little sister. I love her, and I always will. In this lifetime, I’ve sworn to myself that I’ll protect the people I love, even if it costs me my life. And Serena… she’s one of them.”

As I spoke, Isabe’s eyes widened, glistening with an emotion I couldn’t quite name.

“So, thank you for helping me with this. I’m truly,grateful. But iyou /ishould go now. If anyone asks about me, tell them–‘The miss asked bme /bbto /bleave her room, as she wishes to rest without disturbance.””

I watched her carefully. For a moment, she didn’t respond, just stared at me then she drew in a deep breath and nodded.

“Okay, miss. I’ll do that… and I wish you all the best,” she said softly.

I gave her a small smile and leaned back as she began exining the way to the dungeon. Once I bunderstood /bher bdirections/bb, /bbshe /bblowered /bbher /bhead respectfully before slipping back toward the packhouse, doing her best to remain unseen.

As soon as she disappeared from sight, I drew in ba /bsharp breath and turned toward bthe /bbdirection /bbshe /bbhad /bbpointed /bbout/b. bMy /bbgaze /bbnarrowed /b

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b15:13 /bbThu/b, b14 /bbAug /b

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determined glint shing in my eyes as my hands curled into fists.

This was it. I had to help Serena escape quickly. I didn’t know when Darius might decide to interrogate her, so I needed bto /bact bbefore /b

b“/bYou know, the dungeon is actually hard to find. How about I help you?”

My thoughts shattered at the sound of Zayn’s voice. I blinked in surprise, whipping around to find him standing right behind bme/b. bI /bbhadn’t /bexpected him to still be here but must of all, he wanted to help me?

”

bAD /b