Zephyrine

Zephyrine

He had been explicit with his words, and his intentions were crystal clear. It left me unhinged.

#Finished

I stepped into the open hallway where the afterparty was being held, pausing at the entrance. Dessyn was busy in her role as

host.

My eyes scanned the crowd. Werewolves and Lycans mingling,ughing, drinking together as if nothing had happened. The neo princesses raised their goblets, smiling effortlessly.

No one would guess the King had killed a man today. But then again, that massacre was justified.

A chill crept down my spine bas /bthe memory surfaced. How relentlessly he bhad /bstabbed the Rogue Alpha. Over and over, like something primal had taken over. Like he couldn’t stop.

pulled away from the hall and wandered into the corridor, staring up into the darkened sky.

Varyn is still alive somewhere. I have to find him. I have to bring him home.

“I heard you’ve been summoned by the King.”

Dessyn’s voice came from behind. I turned to see her watching me carefully.

News had balready /bspread. Of course. Thest thing I wanted now was to be gossip.

“He only wanted to thank me for saving his life,” I said.

But she stared at me longer than necessary, making me nce away. Dessyn was one of the few people who could see the storm brewing inside me.

“Do you want to leave!” bshe /basked gently, stepping closer and taking my hand. “It’s fine if you do. bPeople /bwill stare now, knowing you’ve caught the bKing’s /beyes.”

I let out a slow breath and nodded.

“Maybe I should rest early.”

“About what we discussed yesterdayb, /bwill you being to White Pack with your things, then?”

I looked at her for a moment before nodding. I had no reason to return to Hue Pack. My mate had already agreed to reject

me

“Yes. I’lle stay in White Pack.”

Just as I said it, Moon, Dessyn’s younger brother, walked out from the feast hall. I hadn’t seen him since the rogue attack. He looked at me with that same quiet concern and approached.

“Are you hurt?” he asked, taking my hand.

1 pulled it back gently.

“Zephyr, how about this?” Dessyn suggested. “Moon will apany you to Hue Pack to get your things. I’ll wrap up here band /bmeet you at home.”

Too tired to argue, I nodded.

Dessyn bgave /bme a quick hug and returned to the feast, her role not yet done.

#Finished

Alone with Moon, I bmed /bbtoward /bthe carriage, and he followed in silence. But something caught my eye before we reached

Jurrek’s white warhorse. He is still here.

“Thai harlot!”

Pam’s shrill voice sliced through the air behind me just before her bhand /blunged for my arm but Moon was faster. He stepped in, pulling me out of reach bwith /bpracticed ease.

I froze, stunned down to my marrow. Even here? In public?

I turned, locking eyes with her. She stood fuming. Olivia beside her with a hand on her hip, glowering like I’d spat on her shoes

“Because of you, my brother’s been moody and angry all day!” Olivia snapped. “He stormed out of the kingdom. When we get home, you’ll pay for this, you rogue.”

They turned and left, heads high, heels clicking, leaving me cold and motionless in their wake.

Humiliation churned in my gut. Not just in front of others but in front of Moon, my own junior.

I swallowed the sting, trying to smooth out my face, but I could feel his energy shift beside me. He was livid.

Those ignorant

He made to follow after bthem/b, but I caught his arm, holding him firmly.

“Let them be,” I said, steadying him. “When the timees, they’ll know what I am. But not now.”

Not until I’ve found my brother. Not while the bond still clings between me and Nyroth.

Moon always obeyed. But this time, he barely did. His jaw tightened. He said bnothing/b.

“Mydy”

I turned to see Jurrek walking toward me from the grand bhall/b. Without hesitation, I rushed to him, taking his hand in mine, checking for injuries.

“Are you hurt?” I asked quickly.

He searched my face for a moment, then shook his head.

“How about you! You look pale.”

I forced a nod.

“I’m fine.” Then I whispered. “I’m rejecting Nyroth. In two nights”

Silence stretched. Jurrek’s gaze was unreadable, but he didn’t look surprised.

“Is there anything you’ll need for the rejection?” he asked quietly.

“No. I can handle it.”

“I know you bcan/b,” he said, voice gentler. b“/bBut if you need anything send a letter. I’lle, riding the fastest horse.”

I exhaled slowly at his words and I believed him. Every word.fn0cd5 The source of th?s content is find{n}ovel/fn0cd5

He nodded toward Moon, who gave a respectful bbow/b. Comrades in arms, though bJurrek /boutranked him.

“The elders of Ash Pack left early,” Jurrek added. “I’ll be heading out soon bas /bwell.”

I nodded, motioning for him to walk with me to his horse. Moon stepped back to give us privacy

Finished

bJurck /bthere’s something I need to talk to you about.”

His eyes flicked to mine.

“The Lycan King?”

Tensed. He’d noticed. Of course he had..

“He’s been watching you all day,” Jurrek bsaid/b. b“/bbAnd /bnow.. you reek of him. They’re saying he summoned you. Apparently, he doesn’t summon anyone.”

I looked down. My throat tightened.

“Thest thing I want is to get bentangled /bwith another man,” I whispered. “Especially someone like Apex. Not after Nyroth?

Jurrck said nothing. He waited. He knew I wasn’t done.

“You sound more certain,” he said finally.

“I am.

Then, after a pause he mutters.

“And you’re sure you can reject Apex so easily?”

The words struck something deepb. /b

Can I swallowed

“I am sure.”

A pause followed before I quickly added.

“I have more important things to worry about than him. Jurrek, I need the search team to move faster. Send them to neighboring bpacks/b. Marketces near old battlefields. Taverns, ck markets, anything. Any rumor. Any whisper that might help me find my brother.”

Jurrek nodded immediately. No hesitation.

He turned to his horse, then paused and looked back at me.

“I’m d you finally see Nyroth for what he is.” His eyes held something warm. Fierce. Certain. “A woman like you deserves to be worshippedb./b”

He bowed his head.

“Goodnight, my bdy/bb./b”